Bud Shootout Explained

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The Budweiser Shootout marks the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series’ unofficial return to the track each February, and LowesRacing.com is here to help you get acclimated.

With the 34^th annual event just a week away, here are some rules and competition pointers.

If you’re new to racing, the first thing to remember is that the Shootout is a non-points exhibition. It takes place the week before the season-opening Daytona 500, traditionally on that Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. The first Shootout occurred in 1979. The event has been run under the lights since 2003.

This year’s Shootout is Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8:10 p.m. Kurt Busch is the defending champion.

Eligibility requirements vary year-to-year, but the goal is to spotlight the sport’s top drivers. Running the Shootout is important not only for the handsome trophy and paycheck – and sponsor and team exposure – but for the extra track time in preparation for the Daytona 500.

Those eligible for the 2012 Shootout include the highest-ranked 25 drivers in last year’s final standings, plus previous series winners at Daytona (the Daytona 500, the series’ July event and the Shootout). All eligible drivers must have been active during the 2011 season.

Jimmie, of course, is solidly in the field as last year’s sixth-place finisher in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Starting positions will be selected via a blind draw during the Budweiser Shootout Draw Party on Friday, Feb. 17. This event begins at 8 p.m., on the SPEED Stage, located in the Daytona International Speedway Midway outside Turn 4.

The Shootout is run in two segments – 25 laps in the first and 50 in the second – for a total of 75 laps (187.5 miles). Both green-flag and yellow-flag laps count.

A 10-minute period between segments allows teams to pit for tire changes, fuel and normal chassis adjustments. Crews can work on their cars as they do during typical pit stops in points events. All work is performed on pit road or the garage. Springs, shocks and cars’ rear ends can’t be changed.

The top 25-ranked drivers from 2011 (in final points order): Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Kasey Kahne, AJ Allmendinger, Greg Biffle, Paul Menard, Martin Truex Jr., Marcos Ambrose, Jeff Burton, Juan Pablo Montoya, Mark Martin, David Ragan, Joey Logano and Brian Vickers.

Other eligible drivers (past series event winners at Daytona): Bill Elliott, Geoff Bodine, Derrike Cope, Michael Waltrip, Jamie McMurray, Trevor Bayne, Terry Labonte and Ken Schrader.

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Bud Shootout Explained