NASCAR Cup Series

Budweiser Shootout lineup released

Published Jan. 7, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Budweiser Shootout field of eligible drivers this year is a group that includes former rookies of the year, 2010 Chase drivers and previous Daytona winners.

The 33rd annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 12, with the green flag set for 8:10 p.m. ET on FOX; MRN will broadcast live nationally.

Criteria are based upon the following qualifications, with eligibility based on a driver having competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series within the last two seasons:

• The 12 drivers that qualified for the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
• Past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions
• Past Budweiser Shootout champions
• Past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 champions
• NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year drivers from 2001-2010

“When you take a look at the field for this year’s Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, it’s loaded with all-star caliber drivers,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “From former series champions and Chase drivers, to the past 10 rookie of the year performers, to drivers who have had success at Daytona, we believe the fans are in store for a terrific and highly competitive event on a brand new racing surface.”

The race distance will again be 75 laps (187.5 miles), consisting of two segments – 25 and 50 laps. Both green-flag laps and yellow-flag laps will count. Between segments there will be a 10-minute pit stop allowing teams to pit to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Crews will be permitted to work on cars and will be allowed to perform functions they would do on a normal pit stop in a regular NASCAR Sprint Cup event. All work must be performed on pit road or in the garage. Changing of springs, shock absorbers or rear-ends will not be permitted.

Starting positions will again be determined by a blind-draw at the annual Budweiser Shootout Draw Party on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. ET on the SPEED stage in the Midway, outside Turn 4.

The Budweiser Shootout – a non-points event for NASCAR Sprint Cup competitors – was first held in 1979, originally known as the Busch Clash. Kevin Harvick has won the last two events.

The list of the 30 drivers eligible to be in the field: 2010 Chase contenders Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton as well as John Andretti (Coke Zero 400 winner), Geoff Bodine (Daytona 500, Budweiser Shootout winner), Kevin Conway (series rookie of the year), Derrike Cope (Daytona 500 winner), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout winner), Bill Elliott (series champion, Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout winner), Kasey Kahne (series rookie of the year), Bobby Labonte (series champion), Terry Labonte (series champion, Budweiser Shootout winner), Joey Logano (series rookie of the year), Sterling Marlin (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 winner), Mark Martin (Budweiser Shootout winner), Jamie McMurray (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 winner, series rookie of the year), Juan Pablo Montoya (series rookie of the year), Ryan Newman (Daytona 500, series rookie of the year), Ken Schrader (Budweiser Shootout winner), Regan Smith (series rookie of the year) and Michael Waltrip (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 winner)