SHOWDOWN MIGHT SOON BE ON THE MOVE.

Byline: TIM HADDOCK  MOTOR SPORTS

The people from NASCAR and Toyota are talking this week about the future of the All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.

And the future might not include Irwindale Speedway. It most certainly is not going to include the NASCAR Elite Division.

Significant changes are coming for the Showdown, which will most likely include the addition of the NASCAR Modified divisions to the format and a change of venue in the years to come.

The Showdown has known no other home than Irwindale Speedway in the four years of its existence. Jim Hunter, vice president of corporate communications/regional touring/NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series for NASCAR, said other tracks have expressed interest in hosting the all-star race for the regional touring divisions of NASCAR. But he also said Irwindale Speedway will always be part of NASCAR's plans.

``I don't think Irwindale will ever totally lose it. I think what we might do is alternate,'' Hunter said. ``In a perfect world, what we might do is run it one year out here at Irwindale and run it the next in the East.''

Hunter mentioned three tracks in particular that have expressed interest in hosting the All-Star Showdown. The tracks in South Boston, Va., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Des Moines, Iowa, are on NASCAR's short list of options for the Showdown. The location of the Showdown is one of the things NASCAR and Toyota are discussing in the days before the race. The format will be different next year and some personnel changes are expected.

The main change in format will be the elimination of the Elite divisions from the Showdown. Hunter said NASCAR will most likely replace the Elite Division portion of the Showdown with a Modified Division race.

``It's real unfortunate what happened to the Elites,'' Hunter said. ``But the cars just got so expensive. Tracks weren't drawing any people and they weren't profitable. In essence, the Elites were competing with the old West. Up in the Northeast, they were competing with the Modifieds.''

But Hunter said it is NASCAR's hope that the Grand National divisions will help aspiring drivers start careers in stock car racing. He lauded the introduction of a spec engine and composite bodies to help control costs. He said NASCAR expects Cup, Busch and Truck series teams and owners will see the Grand National Divisions as a way to develop drivers and invest in the series.

``Ultimately, down the road, this spec motor is going to have a lot of applications,'' Hunter said. ``You can adjust the horsepower depending on what kind of horsepower you want. The whole idea is so that everyone can afford it. The cost of racing today is prohibitive. It's very difficult for someone to race out of their back pocket. We're going to focus on the Grand National Series.''

In addition to the Grand National divisions, the West Series and the Busch East Series, there are two regional Modified divisions, an open-wheel form of stock car racing, that compete in the Northeast and Southern regions of the country. The next Showdown will most likely include drivers from the two Grand National divisions and from the Modified divisions.

``As far as the Toyota Showdown is concerned, we now have a Modified Northern Tour in the East and a Southern Modified Tour,'' Hunter said. ``We'll probably roll the Modifieds into the Showdown. That's what we're looking at. We haven't finalized it yet.''

Michels hopes Irwindale edge holds up

Rip Michels has a few things in his favor going into the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown at Irwindale Speedway.

For one, no other driver has won as many races as Michels at Irwindale Speedway. He has won races in the NASCAR Super Late Model and Grand American Modified divisions over the years. His latest win came in August in a NASCAR Elite Division, Southwest Series, race.

For another, Michels is the Southwest Series champion. His only win in his championship season came at Irwindale Speedway, and he had seven top-five finishes in eight Southwest Series races.

He is bringing the same car to the Showdown that won the Southwest Series race in August at Irwindale Speedway. It is the same car that finished second at Altamont Motor Sports Park in Tracy last month and clinched the series championship.

``I think we're the car to beat,'' said Michels, a driver from San Fernando. ``I hope everyone is looking to keep up with us.''

Michels said the key to finising well in Saturday night's race will begin Friday night.

A 50-lap qualifying race will determine the starting order for Saturday night's Showdown.

``Every car you pass on Friday is like two on Saturday,'' said Michels, one of 40 drivers from the Elite Division ranks to qualify for the Showdown. ``You only have to pass half the field on Saturday.''

The top-10 drivers from the four NASCAR Elite Divisions -- the Southwest Series, Northwest Series, Southeast Series and Midwest Series -- are eligible for the Showdown.

The Grand National Division is also racing this weekend in the Showdown. The top 15 drivers from the two Grand National Divisions, the West Series and Busch East Series, will make up the field for the other Showdown race.

Michels will be making his third start in the Showdown. He said racing in the Showdown is unique because the competition level is so high, much different than a typical Southwest Series or Late Model race.

``I never had a chance to relax,'' Michels said about racing in two previous Showdowns. ``You just hold your breath, don't blink and hope for the best.''

Eric Holmes became the first driver to qualify for both races in the same year. He won the West Series championship and will be one of 30 Grand National Division drivers eligible for the Showdown. He qualified for the Elite Division portion of the Showdown by finishing second in the Southwest Series standings.

He won the Southwest Series sesaon finale at Altamont and lost to Michels by one point in the Southwest Series championship.

Holmes had one win and nine top-five finishes in 12 West Series races.

M.K. Kanke of Frazier Park, a Kennedy High of Granada Hills graduate, finished fourth in the Southwest Series standings. He won two races this year and has won two Southwest Series races at Irwindale Speedway in his career. He will be making his second Showdown start.

Gary Lewis of Bothell, Wash., won the Northwest Series championship; Tim Schendel of Sparta, Wis., won the Midwest Series championship; and J.R. Norris of Mulga, Ala., won the Southeast Series championship.

Mike Olsen of North Haverhill, N.H., won the Busch East Series championship.

CAPTION(S):

3 boxes

Box:

(1) THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

(2) Etc.

(3) ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN