Handling woes plagued the AT&T Chevrolet for the majority of Saturday night’s All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, leaving Jeff Burton and company out of contention for NASCAR’s $1 million dollar payday.

The annual All-Star Race is a no-holds-barred event that limits eligibility to a select number of drivers, including previous and current season winners, the top two finishers in the Showdown, recent Cup Series champions and the winner of the All-Star fan vote. Burton was eligible based on his wins at Texas in 2007 and Bristol earlier this year.

Qualifying for the non-points event had a different look to it, as well. Drivers and teams completed a four-tire pit stop during their three laps of qualifying. After the 20-time Cup Series winner and his AT&T over-the-wall crew put together a fast time of 123.830 seconds (130.825 mph), they were awarded a starting spot on the inside of row four.

The South Boston, Va., native started the four 25-lap segment contest seventh but an extremely loose-handling AT&T Chevy hindered any progress toward the front. When the first caution flag waved over the 24-car strong field at the conclusion of the first segment, Burton was scored 21st in the running order.

During the night’s first of three intermissions, crew chief Scott Miller summoned the veteran driver to pit road for an assortment of changes and, after serving a penalty for speeding on pit road, Burton restarted the second segment 21st.

The changes made to the No. 31 machine did not help the 2008 Food City 500 winner navigate around the 1.5-mile oval as he continued to race near the back of the field for the entire 25-lap segment.

Another round of adjustments was in order during the night’s 10-minute halfway point break. Miller orchestrated the AT&T Racing team to an array of modifications but as soon as the green flag fell again signaling the start of the third segment, Burton’s on-track performance showed that they missed the set up again. Burton raced between 20th and 23rd before making his final pit stop of the night on lap 75.

Four fresh Goodyear tires and an addition of a right-front spring rubber did not repair the ill-handling machine over the closing 25 laps and Burton ultimately came home with a 20th-place finish.

Despite posting an undesirable effort, the team logged valuable data throughout the All-Star Race, which served as a prelude to next week’s Coca-Cola 600.

All-Star fan vote winner Kasey Kahne captured his first All-Star win and followed was to the line by Greg Biffle and Matt Kenseth. Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart rounded out the top-five finishers.

Richard Childress Racing teammates Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer finished 11th and 18th, respectively.

NASCAR Cup Series racing continues at Lowe’s Motor Speedway next weekend for its annual longest race on the 2008 circuit. Flag-to-flag coverage of the Coca-Cola 600 will take the green flag Sunday, May 25 beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The race will be televised live on FOX and broadcast on the Performance Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio. Qualifying for the 12th points-paying race on the 2008 NASCAR Cup Series schedule will be telecast live on SPEED Thursday, May 22 beginning at 7 p.m. EDT.

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