Daytona sets the Shootout field, for that first big test of the new asphalt

Posted Jan 8th, 2011

Kevin Harvick: can he make it three in a row? (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

By Mike Mulhern
mikemulhern.net

Continuing the tradition of tweaking the eligibility rules to include otherwise missing NASCAR stars, Daytona's Bud Shootout -- which was originally created to reward the previous season's pole winners, way back when -- will now include former Cup Rookies of the Year: to wit, Kasey Kahne, Juan Pablo Montoya, Regan Smith, Kevin Conway, and Joey Logano.
That means 30 men are now entered in the Feb. 12 Saturday night sprint, the first event of the new season.

    It will also be the first taste of action on Daytona's expensive new asphalt.
   The Shootout, with a 25-lap opening segment, and a 50-lap climax, will feature Kevin Harvick, who won the event in 2009 and 2010.
   The rest of the men entered are Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton, all in for making last fall's title chase; previous Daytona winners Jamie McMurray, Michael Waltrip, John Andretti, Geoff Bodine, Derrike Cope, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman, Ken Schrader; and Cup champions Bobby Labonte and Terry Labonte.
    The starting grid will be set by a draw Friday Feb. 11.

The 2010 Shootout lineup (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

The eligibility requirements

Submitted by fireballroberts on Sun 01/09/2011 - 19:33.

The eligibility requirements for this race are so perverted now that it's not worth keeping up with. I watch it just to see some cars on the track, but it's a meaningless race. Go back to just the pole winners, but make it the previous 2 seasons worth and not just 1. That should give you 20-25 cars, which is a plenty for this race. Even it it's not 20 cars, leave it alone and quit manipulating everything. It's why fans and outsiders always question the integrity of NASCAR.

yep, you're right. it's

Submitted by Mike on Tue 01/11/2011 - 20:37.

yep, you're right. it's something to do on saturday night, but basically devoid of meaning. I would rather see both 150s live at night -- and let the finishing order set the 500 lineup. now that would provide some meaning. but you forget -- these days it's all about tv....

The race's saving grace is it

Submitted by STP43FAN on Mon 01/10/2011 - 03:25.

The race's saving grace is it is a Daytona plate race, so the fight up front will be a real fight. Other than that, the event and its Charlotte brethren The All-Star Race have outlived their necessity.

good point...and i would

Submitted by Mike on Tue 01/11/2011 - 20:35.

good point...and i would agree with both.

Happy New Year Mike and

Submitted by WScott34 on Thu 01/13/2011 - 08:21.

Happy New Year Mike and MulhernManiacs! Like STP sed, ditch both the Shootout and All-Star races, but to put some extra gravy on the biscuits...Go ol' school, retro scheduling...Start the first race on the "West" Coast in January a la Las Vegas and Fontana, then Daytona 2 - 3 weeks down the road or make it the 3rd race in the season starting at it's current date. This way, the points race is on...More hype to build up to the 500 that's legit, points wise AND free up some weekends down the road.

Hey, hey! Boris has the

Submitted by Mike on Thu 01/13/2011 - 16:58.

Hey, hey! Boris has the SaidHeads; me, I've got the Maniacs! Retro sounds cool to me. I've long said NASCAR should go back to opening the tour in January -- RJReynolds' marketing dudes figured that was smart, and that says a lot to me.....might even get a few more butts in the seats. good call.....wonder who's listening? Gillian, I'm sure. Of course I once figured opening the season New Year's Eve at Las Vegas would be fireworks!

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