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.
Interesting. Jenna F and others believe the Bud contract goes through 2015. Need DIS to clarify.
ReplyDeleteAlmost 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat were the rules for eligibility this year?
ReplyDeleteand the congregation said......AMEN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNow for 2013:
ReplyDeleteThe InBev Shootout of SAB-Miller/Molson-Coors/MillerCoors Pole Winners!!!
Or something like that :)
Hallelujah!! One less thing for people to bitch about on the air!
ReplyDeleteHow about going back to a 25 lap dash like the Busch clash used to be... 75 is just to much. Or maybe 50, tops
ReplyDeleteIf the 500 is any thing like the "RACE" last night it will be the best
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work Moody listen to U all the time
Joy
Tampa Fl
I thought this event was put together by DIS not NASCAR. Guess I was mistaken.
ReplyDelete