Budweiser Shootout 2011
Writen by: MK
February is the month when the engines roar and the wheels get hot. The Budweiser Shootout race will be held this coming February12 at the Daytona International Speedway; also the 53rd annual Daytona 500 on February 20. That will be the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2011.
A little bit of history, the Budweiser Shootout race born in 1979, and was developed by Monty Roberts, brand manager of the Busch Beer formerly known as Bush Bavarian beer.
Originally named Busch Clash (1979-97) in 1998 the name change to Bud Shootout until 2000. Since 2001 to the present year, the race is known as Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.
At the beginning during the 1979-97; the race consisted of a single twenty-lap (50-mile) a green flag sprint and no stops or pits were required. By the 2008 the race was cut in two segments, a 20-lap segment followed by 10 minutes of intermission, and then concludes with a 50-lap segment. The first segment expanded to 25 laps in 2009.
Not only the name and the quantity of laps has change in all those years; also the format to qualify. This eligibility is based on the driver having competed in the Sprint Cup Series within two seasons:
»The 12 drivers who qualified for the 2010 Chase for NASCAR Sprint Cup
»Past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions.
»Previous Budweiser Shootout winners
»Past Daytona 500 champions and previous July race winners (Coke Zero 400, Pepsi 400 and Firecracker 400).
»NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie-of-the-year drivers from 2001-10
Those drivers who meet these requisites will be receiving the invitation to race at the Budweiser Shootout 2011. 30 Driver were eligible for this year non-point race at Daytona with 24 Drivers already listed in the entry. Only six drivers are missing but they may be joining the list before the race. This time, the Budweiser Shootout will permit the teams to gather information so they can prepare for the next race on February 20 Daytona 500.
Also, these drivers will be testing the new repaved 2.5mile tri-oval track, the Pit road, Apron and Skid pad during Speedweeks 2011 and the Daytona 500. The project to repave the track started soon after the recent Coke Zero 400.
We shall see how the actual champion Kevin Harvick deals with the new track and the new and old competitors, Could he keep his title? Kevin won the last two years Budweiser Shootout races and right now leads the ranking list. This coming February 12 definitely will be charged of adrenaline and burned tires!!!
