Bud Shootout 101
We all need a cheat-sheet to understand the workings of the Budweiser Shootout on Saturday (Feb. 12) and qualifying procedure for the Feb. 20 Daytona 500.
Here are some tips:
Shootout: Who can race
The annual preseason Shootout at Daytona is open to 30 drivers that have raced in a Cup event within the past two seasons and meet the following criteria:
· The 12 drivers that qualified for the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup;
· Past Cup Series champions;
· Past Budweiser Shootout champions;
· Past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 champions;
· Cup rookies of the year 2001-2010.
Shootout: The format
· The race distance will again be 75 laps (187.5 miles), consisting of two segments — 25 and 50 laps. Both green-flag 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 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 on Friday (Feb. 11).
Who races in the Daytona 500?
The starting field will be determined in qualifying Sunday (Feb. 13). The two fastest will start on the front row for the 500 and the order for the rest of the field will be determined by performances in the Feb. 17 Gatorade Duels at Daytona.
DOUBLE DOWN WITH DOUBLE D
Danica Patrick will compete March 5 in the Sam’s Town 300 Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and should return to the track on Oct. 16 for the tentatively scheduled IndyCar race at the speedway.
Danica watchers will be in heaven.
