EXTRA.

ALL-STAR FIELD

Most of the field for the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star event at Lowe's Motor Speedway has been set. To qualify for the race, a driver must have won a Cup race in the last 12 months or be a former All-Star race winner or Cup champion within the last 10 years. The field: Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Casey Mears, Juan Pablo Montoya, Ryan Newman, Martin Truex Jr. and Tony Stewart. The field also will include the top two drivers from the 40-lap, 60-mile Sprint Showdown (held just before the All-Star event and open to any driver in the top 50 in Cup points not otherwise eligible for the All-Star race) and a driver voted in by fans.

CHEVY UNVEILS NEW ENGINE

Chevrolet took the wraps off its all-new Midget racing engine on May 7 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Designed by GM Racing specifically for the USAC National Midget Car Series, the four-cylinder initially will power Tony Stewart Racing drivers Tracy Hines and Levi Jones in upcoming events. It will be available to all USAC competitors through independent engine builders.

The methanol-burning 2.7-liter engine produces more than 350 hp. It features an aluminum block and cylinder head with two valves per cylinder. Per USAC rules, the engine is equipped with mechanical fuel injection and uses an electronic ignition system. Major parts--block, cylinder head and certain ancillaries--will be available to all USAC competitors. Independent engine builders then can assemble Chevy Midget engines using internal parts from their preferred suppliers. Kistler Engines of Fremont, Ohio, supplies the ...