NASCAR's annual all-star race ran in four 25-lap segments in 2008, but in celebration of this year's 25th anniversary, the May 16 event at Lowe's Motor Speedway will be divided into four different segments.

The opening segment will be 50 laps with a mandatory green-flag pit stop on lap 25, at which time teams must pit and take on four tires. The caution flag will be displayed for an additional pit stop following the end of the first segment.

Segment two is 20 laps with the caution flag displayed at the of the second portion for an additional pit stop.

After running 20 laps in segment three, teams will have a 10-minute break when they may make normal adjustments to their cars.

The finishing order after the third segment determines the final starting positions for the fourth and final segment.

Only green-flag laps will count in the final 10-lap segment, with a $1 million pay-out to the race winner.

"Some of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race's most spectacular finishes have come using the 10-lap shootout as the final segment, and what better way to celebrate the 25th running of this great event than incorporate that element back into the format," NASCAR vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said.

Some of the all-star event's most exciting finishes have come using the 10-lap shootout format. Dale Earnhardt's infamous "pass in the grass" in 1987, Rusty Wallace spinning out Darrell Waltrip for the win in 1989 and Davey Allison and Kyle Petty battling to the finish with Allison crashing as he took the checkered flag in 1992 all came in a final 10-lap shootout format.

Mark Martin, a two-time all-star race winner, is expected to compete in his 20th event this year, which would tie him with Terry Labonte for the most all- star race starts.

"The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race is always wild, and that's what's so exciting about it," said Martin, whose 1998 all-star victory came using the 10-lap shootout format. "This race is all about winning. There are no points on the line and second doesn't really mean anything. It's all about pride and celebrating with your team. I've been fortunate to win the all-star race twice in my career and would love to make it three times, especially driving for Rick Hendrick."

In 1998, Martin worked his way through the pack over the final 10 laps and scored the victory when Jeff Gordon ran out of fuel entering the final turn.

The eligibility standards for this year's all-star race remain the same. Race winners from either the 2008 or 2009 season through May 9 or any past champions of the all-star event or NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (over the previous 10 years) are eligible for the race.

The top-two finishers in the Sprint Showdown, a 40-lap preliminary race, and the winner of the Sprint Fan Vote all advance into the all-star race lineup.

Kasey Kahne won last year's all-star race after the fans voted him into the lineup.