Posted: December-24-2009 at 5:18am | IP Logged

Budweiser Shootout eligibility rules change: NASCAR announced Wednesday a revision to the 2010 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona format that provides fans with a strong lineup of drivers highlighted by last year's top performers and a collection of previous winners at the sport's most-storied race track. The 32nd annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 6 with green flag set for 8:10pm/et. The new criteria are based upon the following qualifications, with eligibility based on a driver having competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series within the last two seasons:
" The 12 drivers that qualified for the 2009 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup
" Past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions
" Past Budweiser Shootout champions
" Past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 champions
" The reigning Raybestos Rookie of the Year
The race distance will continue to 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 and 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 NASCAR Sprint 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 at the annual Budweiser Shootout Draw Party.

Guess Nascar has to change the rules to keep certain drivers in the race so the fans will show up cause there are couple big name Chevy drivers who wouldnt made the shootout this year under last years rules. Once again another move by nascar to protect certain drivers

Posted: January-14-2010 at 8:40am | IP Logged

I believe he already qualified for the event; for the 2001 season (before the Shootout) they changed the rules to include all previous Bud Shootout winners. Dale Jr. won in the Bud Shootout in both 2001 and 2008.