Season Starts In Shootout Style
Before the points-paying season gets under way with the Daytona 500, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, fans will get to see many of their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series favorites in the 34th annual Shootout at Daytona.
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.
Finishing last in the 2011 edition of this race, Kasey Kahne hopes to follow Denny Hamlin (2006) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2008) and get a Shootout win in his first race for a new team, Hendrick Motorsports. Defending race winner Kurt Busch will attempt to do the same thing as he moves to Phoenix Racing. Kevin Harvick will go for his third victory in four years in this race, extending Richard Childress’ record for Shootout wins to eight.
LISTEN TO THE FINAL LAP WEEKLY – BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT PREVIEW
FOX will televise the Shootout live beginning at 8 p.m. ET. MRN and NASCAR Sirius Radio also will provide coverage.
SHOW #189 – Guest: Andy Slankard from Ford Racing, plus we preview the Budweiser Shootout this weekend, Daytona 500 Qualifying, news of the week and more. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie (About 48 mins)
Speedweeks Opener Features Deep And Talented Field
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 14, 2011) – In what could be the deepest and most talented field to date, NASCAR announced Wednesday the list of eligible competitors for the 2012 Shootout.
The 34th annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 18 with a start time set for 8:10 p.m. FOX and MRN will broadcast live nationally. Criteria are based upon the following qualifications, with eligibility based on a driver having been active in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series during the 2011 season:
Historical Facts & Information
· The very first Budweiser Shootout at Daytona took place on Feb. 11, 1979, and was a 20-lap race with no scheduled breaks.
· Nine drivers participated in the inaugural event and Buddy Baker scored the win, edging out Darrell Waltrip by one car length to take the checkered flag.
· Utilizing the format established in 2009, the Budweiser Shootout is currently a 75-lap race that features a 10-minute break after the first 25 laps.
· Kurt Busch is the defending Budweiser Shootout champion. Busch scored the win by making a last-lap pass on the dueling duo of Ryan Newman and Denny Hamlin. While Busch went to the outside to make his move, Hamlin dropped below Newman in an effort to go for the win. After a review of the final lap, NASCAR determined Hamlin went below the yellow line in trying to pass Newman, which was a violation of the rulebook. Busch was then scored as the race winner, becoming the 19th different driver to score a victory in the Budweiser Shootout.
· The margin of victory in last year’s race was a mere 0.058 seconds, setting a new record for the closest finish in the history of the Budweiser Shootout.
Entry Car Driver Owner Crew Chief Year Make Sponsor
1 1 Jamie McMurray Teresa Earnhardt Kevin Manion 12 Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops
2 2 Brad Keselowski Roger Penske Paul Wolfe 12 Dodge Miller Lite
3 5 Kasey Kahne Linda Hendrick Kenny Francis 12 Chevrolet Farmers Insurance
4 9 Marcos Ambrose Richard Petty Todd Parrott 12 Ford Stanley
5 11 Denny Hamlin J D Gibbs Darian Grubb 12 Toyota FedEx Express
6 14 Tony Stewart Margaret Haas Steve Addington 12 Chevrolet MOBIL 1
7 15 Clint Bowyer Rob Kauffman Brian Pattie 12 Toyota 5-Hour Energy
8 16 Greg Biffle Jack Roush Matt Puccia 12 Ford 3M
9 17 Matt Kenseth John Henry Jimmy Fennig 12 Ford Best Buy
10 18 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Dave Rogers 12 Toyota M&M’s
The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey featuring NASCAR News, Rumors, Opinions, Interviews, and more. Check out our nationally syndicated Radio Shows, free NASCAR Podcasts, and Videos
Season Starts In Shootout Style
SHOW #189 – Guest: Andy Slankard from Ford Racing, plus we preview the Budweiser Shootout this weekend, Daytona 500 Qualifying, news of the week and more. Hosted by Kerry Murphey and Toby Christie
Speedweeks Opener Features Deep And Talented Field
