All-Star: Toyota Motorsports preview

Camrys Competing in All-Star Race
Red Bull to Defend Pit Crew Title
Camry Drivers Have Shined in Showdown

ALL-STAR CAMRYS: Two Camry drivers will compete in Saturday night's Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte's Lowe's Motor Speedway -- Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. Busch earned the pole in 2008 and led 38 of 100 laps, but mechanical problems forced him to the garage early and he finished 24th. Hamlin also took a turn leading in 2008 with seven laps out front, but would also experience mechanical problems and finish 23rd. This year's All-Star race will mark the fourth for Busch in his career with his best finish (16th) coming in 2006, and third for Hamlin , whose best finish (17th) came in 2007.

PIT CREW TITLE TWO?: Red Bull Racing's No. 83 pit crew took home the title in the 2008 Pit Crew Challenge and are looking to defend their title prior to this year's All-Star Race. The Red Bull squad battled against 23 other NASCAR pit crews to earn bragging rights for a year, along with the first pit selection for last year's All-Star race. The 2009 Pit Crew Challenge will take place Thursday evening, May 14 at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N.C.

SHOWDOWN STARS: Camry Sprint Cup Series drivers have found success in the Sprint Showdown as well as the Sprint All- Star race in past years. Last year, former Toyota driver AJ Allmendinger won the Showdown and transferred into the All -Star event where he would finish 17th. Michael Waltrip is the only Camry driver to have won the All-Star race (1996) and was also able to secure starting positions in the All-Star race by winning the Showdown in previous years (1991 and 1992). Brian Vickers (2005) and Scott Riggs (2006) have also earned All-Star starts with wins in the Showdown races.

FAN FRIENDLY: The Toyota 'PitPass' exhibit will make its way to Lowe's Motor Speedway for both race weekends providing fans with an interactive display to enjoy while taking in the on-track action. The 'PitPass' display has numerous activities for race fans and will include a display featuring Toyota hybrid production vehicles.

-credit: toyota motorsports