NASCAR Silly Season is Also Impacting the 2012 Budweiser Shootout

The Budweiser Shootout is the prelude to the Daytona 500. It is an exhibition race of rich history and excitement. The Shootout used to be a race of pole winners from the prior season but more recently was changed to include the top 25 in driver points and any driver that has previously won a NASCAR race at Daytona, including Shootout winners.

The main significance is that the requirements for entry is based on Drivers points and Drivers past history. Owner’s points and car history is not used for entry into the race.

What this means is that some of the driver changes and team changes has affected the quantity of cars and teams that can enter the race.

Specifically these changes are as follows:

Kurt Busch leaving the #22 for the #51, the #51 James Finch car is now eligible for the Shootout.

A.J. Allmendinger was 15th in points so even though he moved to the #22 Dodge, that car and team is still eligible for the Shootout.

If Richard Petty Motorsports does opt to put Aric Almirola in the #43 car, that car would not be eligible to enter the Budweiser Shootout. If they hired David Ragan, David Reutimann or Brian Vickers then it would be as all of those drivers were in the top 25.

In the coming weeks as these driver changes get official the Budweiser Shootout field will take shape. Also in the coming weeks some of the other drivers that don’t have a full time Cup series ride might get a Shootout only ride.

Current Budweiser Shootout field Eligibility Chart

Tony Stewart #14
Carl Edwards #99
Kevin Harvick #29
Matt Kenseth #17
Brad Keselowski #2
Jimmie Johnson #48
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88
Jeff Gordon #24
Denny Hamlin #11
Ryan Newman #39
Kurt Busch #51
Kyle Busch #18
Clint Bowyer #15
Kasey Kahne #5
A.J. Allmendinger #22
Greg Biffle #16
Paul Menard #27
Martin Truex Jr. #56
Marcos Ambrose #9
Jeff Burton #33
Juan Montoya #42
Mark Martin No Ride or #55?
David Ragan No Ride
Joey Logano #20
Brian Vickers No Ride
Bill Elliott No Ride
Geoffrey Bodine No Ride
Derrike Cope No Ride
Michael Waltrip No Ride or #55?
Jamie McMurray #1
Trevor Bayne #21
Terry Labonte No Ride
Ken Schrader No Ride