NOTE: This is what we posted throughout the weekend on the front page of EastSeries.com throughout the Showdown weekend. If you were at the track or not able to get to the site over the course of the weekend, this will give you some idea of how the event progressed from our first arrival on the grounds Thursday afternoon until we packed up to leave late Saturday night. This is probably best read from the bottom up.

We'll look for a finish to be posted at the official's truck in the garage area and post it when we have it. Could be in 20 minutes, could be 8AM Sunday. There's something like 900 Late Models pouring onto the track and I've reached my limit.

Tow trucks have been moved into the opening from the infield near where the cars come onto the track on the backstretch, to prevent pit carts from leaving the track. This just gets better and better. Oh yeah, we're still waiting for a printout of the finish.

Officials say the top three are 40, 1, and 6 "that's still unofficial". They're still reviewing the finish

It gets better: NASCAR says the pit carts and stuff can't leave the infield. Let's see how well this goes

Bedlam. Absolute bedlam. We shoulda stayed in Vegas.

Oh by the way, 40 wins

These are your all-stars, ladies and gentlemen

40 wins as 83 spins across the track and gets whacked by 12

last lap: 83 leads 08 40 6 1 8 45 33 2 18. 08 dives low, stuffs 83 who takes out 6 and if that isn't a fitting way to end this race, I don't know what is

lap 247: 83 08 40 6 1 8 45 33 2 18 01 with 14 faltering in back

five to go, 40 inside 83 with 08 alongside 40

lap 243: 08 leads, here comes both 40 and 83, 83 pops 08 who catches turn four wall, 83 leads 40 with 9 tasting wall on backstretch

GREEN lap 242: 6 jumps but 08 got him. 40 83 and 6 three wide for second

One to go so restart is at 242. 13 gets free pass

They're counting caution laps in the final 50 which is something they didn't used to do. Combine that, no red flag, and a jet dryer-necessitating cleanup and you have a race that NASCAR wants over right now. Hey, Logano's in front, go figger.

37 pits along with 8 as the track is dusted down. Jet dryer is on the way. Taste the excitement.

This may not come as a complete surprise but NASCAR PR has just informed us that this is the third Showdown to 'feature' thirteen cautions

CAUTION lap 234 for the dun blowed up 51 Haase

lap 233: 08 6 83 40 9 18 1 01 45 2 33 and the 51 just blowed up

lap 230: someone's car sounds abnormal and there are reports that the 37's exhaust is amiss

lap 229: 08 6 83 40 9 18 1 01 45 2 51 33 14 51 17 16 8 and that's it

lap 226: 20 slowing, going behind pit wall

lap 224: 08 6 83 40 9 18 1 01 45 51 2 33 14 37 6 17 8 13

lap 222: 08 6 83 40 9 18 1 01 45 51 2 3 14 16 37 8 17 13

lap 219: 08 6 83 40 9 18 1 01 45 51 2 14 33 16 37 8 17 13

lap 217: 08 leads 6 by a good margin and 6 leads 83 by an equally good margin

lap 216: 08 6 83 40 9 18 and 10 spins in turn two... no yellow... he drives away and loses a lap

lap 214: 8 catches turn three wall and is no longer smooth and shiny

lap 212: 08 inside 6, 08 takes the lead in turn four

lap 209: 6 then 83 inside 08, they bounce off each other but 83 does not give up with 40 approaching, now 83 inside 40, 40 cuts 83 a break

GREEN lap 208: 6 jumps and holds the lead but here comes 83 under 08, now 83 under 6, not quite there

Running order: 6 08 83 9 40 14 8 01 18 1 10 16 13 45 33 2 51 approximately

37 is beneficiary

2 got dumped and spun gently into the frontstretch inside wall. He drives away and we have a pretty good idea of what the next 47 laps will be like

GREEN lap 200: 6 jumps but not for long. 83 to 2nd but someone spun in turn one. 51 spun but kept going, now there goes 2 on the frontstretch CAUTION

The running order of those who dare to tackle these last fifty laps: 08 6 83 9 40 14 8 2 18 01 10 1 45 16 13 51 37 33 and others. One to go: restart on 200

If anyone's reading this in the garage area, send some Sport Beans to the pressbox 'k thanks

The field is on pit road for fresh tires, gas, adjustments, and Bactine

More than half the starting field is still running so I lose a pressbox bet

We're about due for a break, pit road is closed in anticipation of such. 58 is being pushed so there's another car I don't have to keep track of anymore

33 is beneficiary as 44 is going on the hook

Fight reported in the 33's pits. The photographers are en route

lap 194: 51 spins turn two but no yellow, although nobody told the tow trucks. Now CAUTION as 44 is stopped high in two

lap 193: 08 6 9 and no 51 inside 9 with 83 wanting to play as well

lap 191: 08 6 9 and 40 inside 51, then 14 inside 83, then 8 2 18 01 10

GREEN lap 189: (45 to pit under one-to-go)... 08 big jump then 6 9 and 14 inside 40

Restart will come on lap 189

Under caution: 08 6 9 40 14 51 2 83 45 8 18 01 10 44 37 16 33 13 58 or something like that

12 to be held a lap for aggressive driving as 71 is behind the wall

CAUTION lap 182: 71 MacDonald turned around and backed intoturn four wall. Trevor Bayne will be the beneficiary

lap 180: 08 6 9 40 14 with 51 threatening, 2 83 45 8 71 18 01 10 and yes they're three wide back there

lap 178: 08 6 9 40 14 51 2 83 45 (1) 8 (35) 71 (12) 18

lap 175: 4 out accident, 77 out accident, 46 out accident, 15 out accident, 50 out accident. All-stars, indeed

lap 173: 08 stretches it out over 6 while 9 holds off 40, then 14 51 2 83 45 8 71 18 10 01

lap 171: 01 found the turn three/four wall but keeps on tickin'

lap 159: 08 6 9 40 14 51 inside 2 83 45 71 8 not 1 01 not 12 not 35 18 10 44 not 6 16 37

lap 157: 08 to the lead over 6 9 40 14 and 51 inside 2

lap 166: 6 08 14 inside 40, now 40 all kinds of sideways into one. 9 passes him for third and we'll probably have more fun

lap 164: 6 08 14 40 9 2 51 71 45 83 8 01 with a dragging bumper cover

GREEN lap 162: neck and neck into one with 14 looking low. Still two-wide into three, 6 ekes ahead leaving four

We will be going back to green on lap 162: 08 6 14 40 2 9 5 71 45 01 etc etc. 1 Bayne is shown a lap down

They're calling for security to report to the 9's pit box

37 58 33 29 to pit road

Yes it's been a long weekend

29 or whatever's left of it to pit road as 3 goes behind the wall. 88 is rolling but is now laps down while your pole-winning car gets a friendly tow home

Usually these guys wait till the last fifty before this race all goes to heck. Not today! 25 to pit road; 3 rolls away slowly but he's not going to go far

CAUTION lap 154: 50 25 tangle in turn two and 3 finds it as well. 3 is oozing fluid; none of the four cars involved (add the 88) are moving

GREEN lap 153: 08 gets good jump and it's three wide behind. 29 sparks, 3 gets turn two wall, all in a day's work at the Showdown

Green will come at lap 153

Under caution: 08 6 2 40 14 9 51 50 45 71 29 01 25 10 83 18 88 37 3 1 17 58 16 44 33 8 something like that. 35 is returning after earlier mechanical problems; he may be on his way to a top-ten finish the way this thing's going

Heckuva used car lot in the infield as 15 gets pushed in. Pitting: 33 4 8 58 16 17. 46 is also behind the wall. Only 93 laps to go

pitting now that we're rolling under caution: 1 who must have slapped the wall avoiding the spinning 15. This puts 08 Logano in the race lead

Red flag is over at 9:02

While nothing is going on aside from more jet dryer fun, here's a public service announcement: Monster energy drink combined with Jelly Belly "Sport Beans" is a pretty scary potent combination

Bathroom break

Where would NASCAR be if I didn't bring my binoculars?

Track clean-up will be needed for fluid in turn four as 4 Carmichael is taken from the track on the hook

RED FLAG 8:51 p.m. 16 on pit road with dinged nose, 46 hurt nose, 3 on pit road with left side jacked up

33 and 4 stopped in turn four. Piting: 46 15 3 37 77. 13 will be the beneficiary and this race will be stopped

CAUTION lap 142: 33 dumps 15 and it's a mess in turn four. 15 46 58 37 4 33 seem to have gotten the worst

GREEN lap 142: 15 gets good jump and 33 pulls alongside 1

25 and 17 are now on pit road along with 13. On the track, 15 leads 1 33 46 08 6 2 40 14 9 51 83 37 3 77 45 50 6 71 01 18 58 44 4 25 17 8 10 or something vaguely resembling this

More pitting: 18 8 25 4 44 as 15 gets more verbal abuse from officials

15 ordered to stay behind pace truck; "It's the big red truck with lights on it". Threats to put 1 in front if 15 doesn't play along. 20 pits as 10 gets beneficiary

lap 137: 15 again tries to lap 29 CAUTION lap 137 as 12 Perez spins low off turn one

lap 135: 15 1 33 46 08 6 2 40 14 9. 15 almost spins trying to lap 29 in turn four

lap 131: no urgency in 88 pit as the crew raises the hood. Big fun in turn four with 08 6 2 14 40 and the lapped 13

lap 130: 15 laps 20 25 as 1 is closing. 88 slows and heads to pit road under green

lap 127: 15 laps 17, then 1 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9 51 77 83 37 3 18 16 45 50 8 71

halfway: 15 1 (13 lapped) 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9

lap 121: 15 1 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9 51 inside 77, 83 37 3 18 16 45 50 inside 8, 71 inside 01

lap 119: 15 1 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9 51 inside 77, 37 inside 83, 16 3 18 45 8 50 01 71 88 58 4 inside 44, 29 10 20 25 7 13

lap 115: 15 1 33 46 08 inside 14 6 2 40 9 77 51 83 37 3 inside 16 18 45 8 50 inside 01 71 88 58 44 4 29 20 10 25 17 13

lap 113: 15 with big lead over 1 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9 77 51 83 37 16 45 inside 3

lap 110: 5 1 33 46 08 inside 14 6 2 40 9 51 inside 77 83 6 37 45 3 18 8 01 29 71 50 58 44

lap 108: 15 1 33 46 08 inside 14, 6 2 40 9 77 51 16 37

lap 106: 15 1 33 46 14 08 6 2 40 9 77 16 51 37 83 45 3 and sparky

lap 104: 15 1 33 46 6 inside 14 2 inside 08, 40 9 and 20 still sparking

15 leads big over 1 and 33, 20 stuck in the middle but going backwards

GREEN Lap 100: 15 split by 20 and 1, 20 big sparks from underneath in the turns

35 still on pit road as the field is about to take the green. 12 is returning to the race after spending time behind pit wall

Lap counter is not running under this caution so I guess we get green on lap 100, which will be the next time by

35 has not yet fired, now on pit road with right front tire off and tow truck poised to push start

Complete lineup after 100 laps: 15 1 20 46 33 14 6 08 2 40 9 37 77 45 35 51 16 83 01 8 3 58 18 10 88 50 71 44 13 29 25 4 (-1) 17 (-2) 12 (-3) 61 (-17) 34 (-47) 41 (-54) 52 (-91) 22 (-92) 28 (-92)

Pushing the 35, it's not firing

They're rolling again after pit stops. Under the hood of the 3, that's supposedly not allowed

*red flag* 8:19 p.m. Crews are going to work

Field is coming down pit road

4 will be beneficiary after pit stops are over

CAUTION lap 100: first competition yellow. Nobody told the 01 who thumps the 83's back bumper pretty good slowing down

lap 98: 1 inside 15 for lead, can't make it stick. 20 well behind the top two

lap 94: 15 1 20 46 33 14 2 inside 6 08 40 9 37 77 8 inside 45 35 3 5 16 83 01 58 18 10 88 50 71 44 13 29 17 25

lap 93: 15 1 20 46 33 14 6 2 08 40 9 37 8 77 45 35 3 5 16 01

lap 90: 15 1 20 46 33 14 2 inside 6, 08 40 9 8 77 37 45 35. 4 goes a lap down

lap 88: 4 Carmichael spins in turn one but gets going with no yellow

lap 87: 08 high and in the turn thre wall, keeps rolling, no caution, still up to speed

lap 85: 15 then 1 inside 20, 46 08 33 2 14 6 40 8 9 77 3 45 37

GREEN lap 81: 15 20 head into 1 neck and neck, 15 ahead by a nose into three, clears 20 through four

restart will take place on lap 83

61 returns but is not on the lead lap. 71 back into pit

29 is beneficiary. Pitting: 71 17 61. On the track: 15 20 1 46 33 08 2 4 6 40 9 77 8 3 37 01 16 45 58 35 44 10 18 83 51 4 12 50 13 25 17 71 88 29 and 12 or something like that

CAUTION Lap 77: 88 spins as four-wide cluster tried to go into turn one. No harm, no major contact, 88's already at the back of the field

lap 76: 15 then 1 inside 20, 46, four wide deep in the pack

lap 74: 15 leadsa 20 1 46 then 08 inside 33, now 1 inside 20 for 2nd place

GREEN lap 72: 20 15 neck and neck down backstretch, then 1 inside 46

Restart will take place on lap 72

under caution: 20 15 1 46 33 14 08 6 2 40 3 9 77 37 8 6 01 45 44 35 58 10 88 13 18 51 4 83 29 71 25 17 and 50 gets the free pass. 12 is still laps down as well, everyone else is in the garage

29 pits along with 71 and 17. Plenty of battle scars showing already even among the top five

CAUTION lap 65: 29 Lynch again spins, this time in turn four, and collects 25. Both drive away but both are krinkled

GREEN lap 63: 15 gets the jump and is challegned low by 20, 20 has lead by a nose while 46 is inside 1

One to go: restart will come on lap 63

12 will get another lap back as 83 71 and 17 return to pit road

on track: 15 1 20 33 46 14 08 6 2 3 40 9 37 8 77 01 16 45 44 35 etc etc

61 pits along with 4 17 71 and 83. On the track the lineup is still being finalized

34 goes behind pit wall as 51 71 and 83 get off pit road still on the lead lap but still plenty torn up0

41 is behind pit wall, the body count is going up pretty high for a race at one-fifth distance. 61 pits with 29 50 83 51 71. 83 hurt bad along right side, 71 nose

only 195 to go

pitting: 51 71 as 34 sits low in turn two, now he gets going

CAUTION Lap 53: 46 83 3 50 4 44 71 34 and others in turn two

GREEN lap 52: dead heat into turn one as 33 dives for the bottom from the third row. 15 takes lead with 20 now inside 1, 33 inside 50

going green next time by (lap 52)

under yellow: 15 1 20 50 33 46 14 08 71 51 6 2 83 3 9 40 8 37 77 61 4 34

pitting: 18 29 13 25 17

12 Perez is the beneficiary, though he is more than one lap down

lap 47 CAUTION: 41 slowed in turn 2 with sparks coming from under the front. He's got the wall with the right side and flattened the right front tire, going behind the wall

lap 45: 15 1 20 50 33 46 14 08 71 51 2 inside 6, 83 41 3 9 8 40 37 61 77 4 34

lap 43: 15 1 20 50 33 46 14 08 71 51 6 and 83 next to 2

12 Perez hits pit road under green

lap 39: 15 1 20 50 33 46 4 08 71 while 12 is slowing

lap 37: 15 then 1 and 20 battling, 50, 46 inside 33, 08 inside 14, 7, 51 inside 6

lap 35: 15, then 1 inside 20, 50 33 46 and 08 inside 14

GREEN lap 33: 20 15 side by side down backstretch, into three, close throgh four, 15 declared leader, now he has the lead to himself

We'll take a moment to chuckle over the fact that little ol one of me is doing about the same job as what NASCAR needs four people to my left to do

One to go, so green flag racing resumes on lap 33

under caution: 20 15 1 50 46 14 33 71 46 6 51 4 2 44 83 12 3 9 37 8 01 40 4 16 77 61 45 0 34 35 88 17 13 and then those who pitted: 18 58 29 25

looks like 29 got too close to 12 in tight traffic. Pitting: 13 29 18 58 29

lap 27 CAUTION: 29 Lynch solo spin in turn one. He drives away without losing a lap

lap 26: 20 5 1 50 14 33 71 46 6 51 inside 41, 2, 83 inside 44, 12 29 9 and 3

lap 25: 20 15 1 inside 50, 46 `4 33 71 inside 6, 08, 51 inside 41, 2

lap 23: 20 15 50 1 46 then 14 inside 6, 33, 71, 08 and 41

lap 22: 22 and 28 are out of the race due to accident

lap 20: 20 15 outside 50, 6 then inside 46, then 14 and 41 inside 71

GREEN lap 18: 20 gets the jump and takes the lead leaving turn two, 50 now has 15 outside

One to go at the line so we'll go green on lap 18

under caution: 50 20 6 15 1 46 14 41 33 71 08 29 12 2 51 44 37 9 83 3 01 4 8 40 18 16 61 77 58 45 34 10 17 88 25 35 13 and that appears to be it

52 Hayes is being pushed behind pit wall as 28 comes to pit road on a hook

On pit road: 17 13 35 25 88. 22 leaves the accident scene on a wrecker and it looks like the 28 will get the same treatment

TV missed the start of the wreck, at least at first. 35 13 are on pit road while 22 and 28 are still stopped high in turn four.

lap 9 CAUTION: 13 35 52 22 28 crash turn three and four. All drive away but 22 28

lap 7: 50 leads 6 20 15 1 now 20 inside 6 for second, 20 gets the spot as 15 goes inside 6

lap 6: 50 inside 6, down frontstretch,m into one, through twop, down back, now 20 looks under both

lap 4: 6 50 20 15 1 46 41 29 14 71 08

lap 2: 6 50 20 15 1 46 29 41 14

GREEN FLAG: 6 takes lead out of two but 50 is trying to get back on the bottom

We are on one to go as 25 rejoins the field

25 headed to pit road after getting a push; the crew is going under the hood, checking distributor and plugs

Two to go at the line as fireworks go off along the backstretch

The mall cop has left the race track while the 25 is stalled high in turn three

10 Warn visits pit road under pace laps, will have to start from the tail which is where he was supposed to be in the first place

Cars are rolling off pit road

Engines have been fired. There is a mall cop on a Segwey in turn three

While nobody's said anything in public, we're going to get wowed with some sort of Kevin James appearance during pace laps

We have sang and prayed and in five minutes this place is going to fill with the sound of 40 engines firing

The starting lineup will change once the field gets rolling as 17 Patison will drop to the rear in his back-up car.

Driver introductions are going on as we speak and the 40 starters of the Showdown are moving into position on pit road

Showdown starting lineup: 50 C. Johnson, 6 Bowles, 15 Ickler, 20 Holmes, 46 Barkshire, 1 Bayne, 29 Lynch, 12 Perez, 41 Foster, 08 Logano, 14 Mayhew, 71 MacDonald, 33 Hornaday, 51 Haase, 37 Kennedy, 2 David, 44 Richardson, 9 Vidovich, 3 Dillon, 18 Davis, 83 Sellers, 01 Inglebright, 40 Kobyluck, 22 Steckler, 25 Fensler, 13 Souza, 16 Smith, 4 Carmichael, 35 Park, 8 Borneman, 17 Patison, 52 Hayes, 28 Salemi, 88 Dick, 77 Myers, 58 J. Johnson, 61 Thompson, 34 Gomez, 45 Crafton, 10 Warn

finish: 77 58 61 34 45 10 21 03 00 39 etc

lap 48: 03 half-spins after getting into 77 in turn two, falls way back

lap 47: 03 still looking inside 77, can't quite pull the pass off but certainly making it interesting

lap 45: 77 03 61 58 45 10 34 21 00 89 39 04 99 91 65 0 78 5 31 7

lap 43: 03 looking inside 77, can't make it stick. 61 third, then 58 45 10 34 21 00 89 39 04 99 91 65 0

lap 41: 77 03 61 58 45 10 and 21 inside 34

GREEN lap 39: 77 gets the jump and 03 falls into second. 58 looking for third on the high side of 61, now switches to low lane

For the curious (including "eyesonsweet16"), the only thing we're waiting for before producing a Showdown starting lineup is the order of West provisionals

under caution: 77 03 61 58 45 10 21 34 89 39 00 91 04 99 65 0 78 5 and 31

78 gets going and stays on the lead lap and we should be back underway quickly. 7 is lucky dog

lap 33: 77 03 61 58 45 10 34 21 89 now caution as 78 spins inside turn four

lap 31: 7 03 61 and 58 inside 45, then 10 21 34 89

GREEN lap 29: 77 03 bang doors before green, now 77 takes lead into turn one with 61 inside 03 through three and four

Under caution: 7 03 61 45 58 10 89 00 21 39 34 04 91 99 65 78 and 0 is the lucky dog, then 31 5 7 a lap down

don't know if anyone thumped 19 to turn him around but he did, slapped the inside wall with the driver's side, and now he's in the infield and done

lap 25: 77 03 61 and 19 spins off backstretch, into inside wall, caution is out

lap 22: 77 61 with 03 looking inside approaching lapped cars, still side by side into 1, out of 2, 7 is in the high line and they go three wide under him, 03 comes out of it with 2nd place

lap 20: 77 clears traffic, 61 has 03 on back bumper, then 19 45 and 58 is coming

lap 18: 77 61 03 19 45 58 1- 00 21 34 39 99 65 78 7 and that's it for the lead lap

lap 16: 77 laps 31, 03 looking under 61 for second but falls back in line

lap 14: 77 way out in front of 61 03 19 45 89 10 58 00 21 39 34 04 91 99 65 78 7 0 31 and now 5 is a lap down

lap 12: 77 61 03 19 45 89 and 10 outside 00

lap 10: 77 then 61 19 03 45 under a two-wide blanket, 89 holding off 00 for last transfer spot

lap 8: 77 then 61 inside 19, now 19 pulls ahead, 61 inside 45, now 03 inside 45 as 61 inside 19

lap 6: 77 19 45 and 03 inside 61, 03 falls back in line, good distance from 03 back to 89 in 6th

lap 4: 77 19 45 61 03 89 00 10

Lap 2: 77 19 45 61 03 89 39 00 10 39 21 58 04

GREEN: 77 19 45 03 61 00 89 10 39

One to go at the line

We have rain on the pressbox window. Cars will stay running on the track behind the pace car.

Engines are fired. If we get a dull moment we'll work on a starting lineup for the feature but it could be a long laborious process. Then "eyesonsweet16" on RacingWest can copy and paste it onto that site's forum without giving us credit.

Starting lineup: 19 77 03 45 61 89 00 39 10 21 91 04 34 58 99 65 5 7 31 78 0. 17 Pattison is in the garage area (presumably with a West provisional) preparing the backup car. It appears that 26 Pursley is done for the night.

After qualifying, Chris Johnson was atop the leader board with a fast lap of 18.299 seconds (98.366 MPH). Jason Bowles was second, followed by the top East Series representative, Brian Ickler. West Series champion Eric Holmes was fourth, followed by Jeff Barkshire. The twelve fastest cars that weren't already locked into the starting field were : 50 Johnson, 29 Lynch, 41 Foster, 08 Logano, 14 Mayhew, 33 Hornaday, 51 Haase, 37 Kennedy, 44 Richardson, 9 Vidovich, 18 Davis, and 01 Inglebright. East Series provisionals should (keyword: should) go to 4 Carmichael, 35 Park, 52 Hayes, and 28 Salemi. 08 Logano and 37 Kennedy are locked in through time, leaving 5 Armstrong and 03 Polewarczyk as the only East cars (5 Armstrong comes out of Schrader Racing's shop) in the last chance race that will be run at 5:15 p.m. tonight. Complete qualifying results are Here. We'll be back to cover the qualifying race live in this space.

Reminder: qualifying order is Here.

The first batch of Camping World Series cars are on the track for hot laps. The next update you will see here is the first qualifying time being reported.

2:55 p.m. - We are just about ready to go live here with qualifying at Irwindale Speedway. The first on-track activity will be hot laps for Camping World Series cars, followed by time trials which should be starting at 3:45 if all goes well. The open race will go green at 5:15. Driver introductions will begin at 6:10 with the start of the Camping World race set for 6:45 p.m. Late Models will follow, then Super Late Models, which will not time trial for starting positions.

2:33 p.m. PT - Kate now says that the report of the driver/crew chief meeting happening at 3:00 p.m. was erroneous. Instead, drivers are being told to be in their cars and ready to go onto the track at that time. This means it's time for me to pack up the gear and head up to the pressbox where, like Bob Uecker, I must be in the front row.

2:21 p.m. PT - The rain has stopped, the track is very nearly dry and we, with any luck, should have cars running circles on it Real Soon Now. We don't know who will take to the track next - every driver appears to be in uniform - so we'll all be finding out at about the same time. We now hear that there will be a meeting at 3:00 p.m., and after that we'll report back.

We had a good meetup with Moses Smith's mom, whose blog we referred to yesterday (http://www.nascarracemom.blogspot.com). We'll remind you that she has a poll to see if people think a West, East, or Invading driver will win the Showdown. We've had a pretty positive effect on it so far, but if you haven't placed your vote, go there now and continue making the poll even more lopsided.

1:30 p.m. PT - Every time we think we're out of the woods, the woods return and... well, who knows where we were going with that analogy. It rains, then it stops raining, then it sprinkles again, then it looks brighter, then we get wet again. Frankly, we have nothing to update you readers on, we just wanted an excuse to post this photo.

11:40 a.m. PT - Not so fast: it's raining again and the track has gone quiet. Here we go again.

11:30 a.m. PT - Under the lightest of mists, Late Models (or Super Late Models) are practicing on Irwindale Speedway's half-mile. Camping World Series are enjoying their drivers meeting with the following highlights: Open race will go off at 4:35 p.m., with the top six finishers going directly to impound. There will be three pace laps before going green tonight. Pit road speed limit is 25 MPH while the pace car will run at 30 MPH. All cautions will be quickie yellows so everyone can pit as soon as the pits are open. While there, they cannot change tires and add gas in the same stop. No tire changes are permitted except during the breaks at lap 100 and lap 200. The penalty for unapproved tire changes is two laps per tire.

We're told that the backup car that Matt Kobyluck will use tonight is the 2006 Showdown winning car. Its last on-track activity was at South Boston Speedway, where it turned just a few laps in practice before being involved in an accident.

10:02 a.m. PT - Things are looking up. Tech has opened and cars are starting to go through inspection. The rain has stopped - or at least it appears that way looking out the window of the Troy Williams Racing hauler - and we're even seeing bits and pieces of blue sky here and there. Kate has been instructed to go out and take pictures since we've shot pretty much nothing yet, and we'll keep our fingers crossed that there'll be more to report as the day goes on.

9:05 a.m. - Here we go: qualifying tires will be released at 9:30 a.m. The jet dryers are hard at work and when the track is dry, Camping World cars will go onto the track for five hot laps. At the conclusion of their hot laps, the cars will go to the track's infield. When the hot laps are over, time trials will start. Between the hot laps and time trials, one crew member will be allowed to enter the track to adjust tape and tire pressure only. Of course, once we left the meeting where this was announced, it started sprinkling again. Big fun!

8:11 a.m. PT Saturday - We should have stayed in Las Vegas. We awoke this morning after not nearly enough sleep to about what we woke up to yesterday: overcast skies and light sprinkles. Not having looked at any forecasts we can still say with some confidence that today's schedule will again be in flux so we'll have to keep our ears to the ground and pass along any announcements made as they're made. In the meantime, stay tuned.

12:21 a.m. PT Saturday - Complete practice times are posted Here. With that, we're signing off for the night (morning) since we have to be back at the track quite a bit earlier than expected. It'll be another long day, but we'll keep our fingers crossed that it'll be one with a lot less of the wet stuff messing up the schedule of events.

11:28 p.m. PT - They're kicking us out of here, but here's the top ten: 08 Logano, 01 Inglebright, 14 Mayhew, 83 Sellers, 15 Ickler, 77 Myers, 46 Barkshire, 61 Thompson, 41 Foster, and 51 Haase. Full rundown when we get back to HQ.

10:55 p.m. PT - It's a short practice session for the Camping World Series here at Irwindale Speedway, but a pricey one for 2006 Showdown winner Matt Kobyluck who hit the wall in turn two and did great damage to the right front corner of his Mohegan Sun Chevrolet. Within a minute of his arriving at his truck, the team was starting to unload the backup car. Dakota Armstrong has also been in the wall, but the damage to his car appears to be mostly cosmetic.

9:42 p.m. - Late Models are on the track and at speed. They'll be on the track until 10:25 p.m. Camping World cars get the track from 10:25 to 11:10 and that's it for the night. We'll get practice results on our way out of the track and post them once we're back at the hotel since tomorrow's going to be an early morning.

8:05 p.m. - Here we go:

Tonight: dry track, then Super Late Model practice, then Camping World practice till track goes quiet at 11:00

Saturday: garage opens at 6:45 a.m., LM/SLM drivers meeting at 7, 8:00 SLM practice, 8:45-10 CW practice, 10:05-11 LM practice, 11:00 CW drivers meeting, 11:15 SLM time trials, 12:30 CW time trials, 1:30 LM time trials, 3:25 CW last chance race (50 laps), 4:00 SLM race (150 laps or 90 minutes), 5:45-6:15 autograph session on frontstretch for CW and LM, and TV comes on at 7:00. Spectator gates open at 2:00 p.m.

7:17 p.m. - The latest information starts with saying that the track will not be ready to go until 9:00 p.m. local time. Once the track is ready, all three divisions present will get a chance to practice until a midnight curfew. We'll come back tomorrow morning to what we assume will be more practice, and everyone will have the opportunity to qualify. They're working on a re-revised schedule and once that is in our hands it'll be posted here.

6:45 p.m. PT - There will be no racing at Irwindale Speedway today. A post on NASCAR's own site says that they will be looking for getting some practice in, and "possibly qualifying" tonight. NASCAR officials are in a meeting with the track's manager, Bob deFazio, and we imagine we'll have a lot better idea of what to expect once that's over.

6:38 p.m. PT - We've been patiently waiting out some extremely pesky misting and just a few minutes ago the jet dryers were pressed back into action. There's no word on a re-revised schedule yet, no idea what will happen with qualifying, but it looks like we'll have on-track activity before we're done here. To what degree, well, that remains to be seen.

5:35 p.m. PT - The wreckers had started dragging the big ol' tractor tires in an effort to dry the track, but that effort didn't last long and there is no activity going on aside from many questionably true stories being swapped in the garage area. The jet dryers have been parked for the time being as they are reportedly low on fuel.

4:10 p.m. PT - By the time we got our camera gear together and suited up to become photographers, things got quiet on the track. Jet dryers are again the preferred mode of transportation on the Irwindale half-mile. The track has been lost so the schedule will be jumbled again and as soon as we know what's going on, you will.

4:01 p.m. PT - Rain is not completely out of the forecast but the track has been dried to the point where Super Late Models have started their practice session. Camping World Series cars are next and they're starting to pull out of their pit stalls to queue up for their one and only session. We're off to go shoot some pictures.

2:45 p.m. PT - NASCAR has produced the revised schedule for the balance of the day. Super Late Model practice will start at 3:30 p.m. and go for 55 minutes. Camping World teams take to the track next at 4:20 p.m. and run for an hour - this is their only practice. Time trials will be held at 7:15 p.m. local time, with the last chance race going green at 10:20 p.m.

2:10 p.m. PT - The rain has stopped and jet dryers are plying their trade on the pavement of Irwindale Speedway as we speak. We'll find out if it really takes six hours to get the place race-ready or if we'll start hearing loud engines sooner than that. In the meantime, crews are starting to emerge from their haulers and we've dispatched Kate to start taking photos. We've been assured of a seat in the pressbox so qualifying will be covered here live, assuming we get to that point today. The qualifying order has been posted Here.

12:21 p.m. PT - Still sprinkling here at Irwindale Speedway. Some say that the track will take six hours to dry once the rain stops, and that could happen within the hour. We think there are plans being hatched to line up the field without qualifying, but that's second- or third-hand information. As usual, keep checking back and we'll post updates as they become available.

11:10 a.m. PT - Nothing new to report here in California. Each time it looks like the rain's about to stop, it comes back just as hard. Pretty frustrating, but the Williams have been quite hospitable so we're staying mostly dry.

9:40 a.m. PT - It's not cold but it's certainly not dry here at Irwindale Speedway. The initial drivers meeting has just ended with no mention regarding how things might progress if the wet stuff continues falling and the day's schedule has to be jumbled. For the time being, we're in wait-and-see mode staying dry thanks to Troy Williams Racing which has graciously allowed us to camp out in their hauler. As we find out what's happening during the course of the day, we'll be back to update but in the meantime, we're dodging raindrops. There's word that a couple more cars may have arrived since we posted the entry list last night so that's the next investigation we're embarking on.

7:51 a.m. PT Friday - We're about ready to pack up the gear and head to the track for the start of a couple long days out here on the west coast. We might see some cars show up to add to the 56 already testing the boundaries of the garage area, so that'll be the first order of business once we get there.

I got a note from West Series driver Moses Smith's mom this morning. She keeps a blog and has a poll up right now to see who people think will win the Showdown: a West driver, an East driver, or one of the irregulars. The West has a 2/3rds to 1/3rd lead in the early running and we all know that's not realistic. Head over there and make those numbers a little more realistic: http://nascarracemom.blogspot.com/.

9:31 p.m. PT - There's new information that changes what was posted below. 01 Jim Inglebright is not locked into the show. He was the West Series 'winner' at the Iowa Speewday combo race (the highest finishing West driver but 9th overall in the race), which means he got winner's points from the event but did not get the guaranteed starting spot in the Showdown. This frees up one of the first 26 Showdown starting spots for another fast time-trialer. In every instance below where we refer to "top eleven" or "eleven fastest", make that "top twelve" or "twelve fastest". This increases the chances of one of the six East Series drivers not already locked into the show to either make the field on time or get a provisional based on a driver ahead of him in points getting in on time. Inglebright will be in the show regardless since he's fifth in 2008 West Series points and the highest-placed driver who isn't locked in.

7:59 p.m. Pacific Time Thursday - The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown starting field will be made up of drivers who earned protected starting spots, fast time trialers, provisionals from East and West Series, and the top six finishers from Friday night's 50-lap last chance race.

Those who have earned protected starting spots by winning East/West races or a NASCAR Developmental Series championship: 01 Inglebright, 1 Bayne, 2 David, 3 Dillon, 6 Bowles, 12 Perez, 13 Souza, 15 Ickler, 20 Holmes, 22 Steckly, 25 Fensler, 40 Kobyluck, 46 Barkshire, 71 MacDonald, and 83 Sellers. These drivers will start somewhere in the top 26 along with the 11 fastest drivers in time trials who aren't among those fifteen.

Following time trials will be the awarding of provisionals. The following East Series drivers are eligible: 18 Davis, 4 Carmichael, 35 Park, 52 Hayes, 28 Salemi, and 37 Kennedy. 03 Polewarczyk and 5 Armstrong are outside of the East's top 30 in 2008 year-end points and are not eligible for provisionals, so they have to get in on time (top eleven of drivers not already locked in) or have to run the last-chance race.

Each series has four provisionals to hand out. 18, 4, 35, and 52 are in based on that. If one of those qualifies among the top eleven fastest who are not already locked in, this opens the door for 28 Salemi to get a provisional if he's not a top-eleven time trialer. If two of the above (18, 4, 35, 52, and 28) qualify on time, 37 Kennedy earns a provisional. If 28 and 37 both qualify top-eleven, every top-thirty East driver who showed up will start without running Friday night's hooligan race. In that race, only the top six (regardless of which series they call home) will transfer to Saturday's main event.

Assuming we get a pressbox seat on Friday, we'll cover qualifying live and attempt to figure out on the fly who's in and who'll be looking at earning a provisional to avoid fifty laps of wear and tear Friday night.

P.S. pay no attention to the Showdown countdown widget that appears below the list of PRs. It says "and they're off" at 8:00 p.m. local time and, well, that's only off by about 23 hours. There is on-track activity going on now, we understand, but it's merely practice for Late Models. I suppose this does more or less kick off Showdown festivities, but it's doing so mostly likely in front of an empty grandstand.

P.P.S. we neglected to mention anything about what we saw when we were at the track earlier today. The big story that was developing concerned some cars getting teched pretty hard, including no small amount of scrutiny concerning Matt Kobyluck's front fenders. Without citing a particular rule or template, technical director Andy Mitchell referred to them as "too aggressive", according to the Kobyluck team, and ordered modifications. Austin Dillon's car was deemed too wide at the wheels and sent back to the team's truck for adjustments, and we imagine that fix will be easier and involve fewer hammers than Kobyluck's.

7:15 p.m. PT Thursday - We made it back from Las Vegas in good shape and in plenty of time to swing by Irwindale Speedway to see what was happening at the scene of this weekend's Showdown. Wonder why we hadn't posted the entry list made available over the last week and a half? It had ballooned to over 60 cars at its high point but when it came time to take cars out of trailers and go through inspection, the number's down to 56. That's still plenty to put on a quality show, with fifteen (sixteen if we want to reclaim Joey Logano) drivers representing the East Series. We'll do some analysis of who's locked in and who has to turn in a quality qualifying effort tomorrow night to post later.

• Toyota NASCAR All-Star Showdown Qualifying Results
• Rain Washes Out Racing For NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Friday
• Toyota NASCAR All-Star Showdown First Practice Results
• EastSeries.com Showdown Thursday Photo Album
• Toyota NASCAR All-Star Showdown Entry List