Sunday, February 19, 2012

NASCAR Announces New Eligibility Requirements For 2013 Shootout


NASCAR has announced new eligibility requirements for the 2013 Shootout at Daytona, an announcement that signals a return to the annual preseason event’s roots.

Next season’s field will consist of 2012 Coors Light Pole winners and past Shootout winners who have attempted to qualify for at least one race during the 2012 season.  Those eligibility standards mirror those in place from 1979-2008, and put greater emphasis on each weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole qualifying session.

“Fans have expressed their desire to see this event return to its original eligibility rules,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We listened and decided it would be best to return to the eligibility rules of years past adding further meaning to pole qualifying for each NASCAR Sprint Cup race.”

This announcement comes prior to 2012’s first qualifying session, adding intrigue to an already important event. Today’s fastest qualifier, in addition to winning the pole for next Sunday’s 54th Annual Daytona 500, will also earn a spot in next year’s Shootout. Two Daytona 500 starting positions will be locked in after today’s qualifying session. The fastest two cars in qualifying will sit on the front row for The Great American Race.

Last night, Kyle Busch won his first Shootout at Daytona, locking up a spot in next year’s field. Busch passed defending series champion Tony Stewart in the tri-oval, edging the three-time titlist by a margin of victory of .013 seconds – the closest in Shootout history.

Last season, 18 different drivers won a pole.


9 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:57 AM

    Interesting. Jenna F and others believe the Bud contract goes through 2015. Need DIS to clarify.

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  2. Almost sounds odd that Budweiser is co-habitating in sorts with Coors but I'm all for it. At least gives a little meaning to qualifying.

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  3. What were the rules for eligibility this year?

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  4. anonymous internet genius12:44 PM

    and the congregation said......AMEN!!!!!

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  5. Now for 2013:
    The InBev Shootout of SAB-Miller/Molson-Coors/MillerCoors Pole Winners!!!

    Or something like that :)

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  6. Anonymous1:31 PM

    Hallelujah!! One less thing for people to bitch about on the air!

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  7. Anonymous6:43 PM

    How about going back to a 25 lap dash like the Busch clash used to be... 75 is just to much. Or maybe 50, tops

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  8. Anonymous9:26 PM

    If the 500 is any thing like the "RACE" last night it will be the best
    Keep up the good work Moody listen to U all the time
    Joy
    Tampa Fl

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  9. Anonymous10:03 PM

    I thought this event was put together by DIS not NASCAR. Guess I was mistaken.

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