NASCAR unveiled the format for the 2017 Monster Energy All-Star Race and there are big changes this time around and positive ones at that.

Here are eight things you need to know about NASCAR’s annual all-star event at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which takes place May 20 on FS1.

Nigel Kinrade/LAT Photo USA

Given that 2017 marks the 25^th anniversary of the first all-star race run at night — a/k/a “One Hot Night” — you can bet there will be heavy promotion back to the 1992 race, which Davey Allison won but then crashed just after taking the checkered flag.

ISC Archives via Getty Images RacingOne

This year’s all-star event will be 70 laps, same as the ’92 race and down from 110 laps in 2015-16. Three 20-lap segments will be capped off with a 10-lap final segment, where 10 drivers will duke it out, with the winner earning $1 million. The last time this race was only 70 laps was in 2001.

Nigel Kinrade/LAT Photo USA

The winner of each of the first three stages will advance to the final stage, as long as they remain on the lead lap after the third stage.The drivers with the best average finish in the first three stages will form the remainder of the 10-car final stage.

Nigel Kinrade/LAT Photo USA

Here’s another big step: Qualifying for the all-star race will be moved back to Friday night, May 19, prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.  

In qualifying, drivers will make three timed laps, one of which will include a mandatory four-tire pit stop with no speed limit on pit road. The five quickest teams will advance to the final round of qualifying to determine the top five starting spots. The team that completes the fastest stop will earn the Pit Crew Competition Award.

Nigel Kinrade/LAT Photo USA

The Monster Energy Open last-chance race will be Saturday night before the Monster Energy All-Star Race and will include three stages (20 laps / 20 Laps / 10 laps). The winner of each stage will earn a spot in the all-star race. The Monster Energy Open field will be set by two rounds of traditional knock-out qualifying.

© John Harrelson / NKP © 2016 John Harrelson / NKP

The all-star grid will consist of the following: Drivers who won a points event in 2016 or 2017; past all-star winners and series champions who compete full-time; stage winners in the Monster Energy Open and the Fan Vote winner.

Nigel Kinrade/LAT Photo USA

The following drivers are already locked into the all-star field: Chris Buescher, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Martin Truex Jr.

Jim Dedmon Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Last but not least, each time will get one set of softer Goodyear tires for the race, which are expected to be about 2.5 miles per hour per lap faster than the normal tires. These tires will carry green Goodyear logos instead of the traditional yellow. Goodyear is calling the regular tires “Prime” and ones with the green logos “Option.”

Michael Thomas Shroyer Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports