In the last few years several teams have opted to pass on the Showdown race and others have used it as a test session for next weeks 600 race. The ratings continue to slowly decline and Sprint continues to tweak the format. All looking for the special ingredient that made the "Pass in the Grass" and "Davey's Crash to Win" so special. For years the All Star Race was Checkers or Steering Wheel attitude. I listened to Pit Lane and heard caller after caller explain why the didn't favor the race anymore. I heard Dave Moody, Chad Knaus and many others try to explain how great the racing is for the All Star Race. The real difference is money! In 1985 Winston put up $1 million for the winner. According to the inflation calculator site that equals $4.6 million today! I guarantee you if NASCAR puts $4.6 million on the table the excitement would return. For many teams that's a chunk of cheese! In 1985, one crew chief said they built a new car just for the All Star Race because they were chasing a third of the season of sponsor dollars. I'm sure many teams and drivers would have a different approach to racing for $4.6 million instead of 1985's $1 million dollars... Step Up Nascar!