On Wednesday, Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig announced changes in the criteria used to determine the field for the Budweiser Shootout.
“As NASCAR evolves, we tailor the Budweiser Shootout’s qualifying criteria to provide fans with a lineup that showcases NASCAR’s best drivers on the high banks of Daytona,” Braig said. “The new criteria put a premium on race winners at NASCAR’s most storied track – Daytona International Speedway – and we’re looking forward to kicking off the new season with an electric night of racing.”
The field for the 2010 Budweiser Shootout will be comprised of the 12 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers for 2009, past Sprint Cup champions, past Budweiser Shootout champions, past Daytona Sprint Cup race winners (both Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400), and the reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year.
With the new criteria, drivers eligible for the 2010 Budweiser Shootout include:
Jimmie Johnson
Mark Martin
Jeff Gordon
Kurt Busch
Denny Hamlin
Tony Stewart
Greg Biffle
Juan Montoya
Ryan Newman
Kasey Kahne
Carl Edwards
Brian Vickers
John Andretti
Geoff Bodine
Jeff Burton
Kyle Busch
Derrike Cope
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Bill Elliott
Kevin Harvick
Matt Kenseth
Bobby Labonte
Terry Labonte
Joey Logano
Sterling Marlin
Jamie McMurray
Ken Schrader
Michael Waltrip
While the criteria for determining the race line up has changed, the race format will stay the same. It will be a 75-lapper divided into two segments -- a 25-lap segment and a 50-lap segment, with a 10-minute break between the two segments.
There will be a drawing on Feb 4 to determine starting positions.
The Budweiser Shootout is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET Feb. 6.
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