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2009 Budweiser Shootout to have new format

Associated Press

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Updated: August 26, 2008, 4:55 PM EDT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will be around at least three more years with a new format that places the emphasis on the four manufacturers in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series.

Anheuser-Busch official Tony Ponturo made the announcement of the contract extension and the format changes Tuesday. He was joined by Daytona International Speedway president Robin Braig and NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter.

The 31st annual season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 7 will have a field of 24 cars representing the top six teams from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. It will be based on the final 2008 car owner points.

"This could not be better timing," Hunter said. "It's no secret that the manufacturers need all the exposure they can get right now. This is a good strategic move in that direction."

But two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart and reigning Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman won't be in the Shootout lineup in February because of a change of teams.

Stewart is switching from Toyota to Chevrolet, while Newman is moving from Dodge to Chevrolet. That means neither will be there since their cars will not be among the top six in car owner points.

The Shootout, a non-points event, was originally known as the Busch Clash and first held in 1979. Over the years, it has been a showcase for the previous year's pole winners and previous winners.

Under the new format announced Tuesday, the race distance will be increased from 70 laps to 75 (187 miles) on the 2.5-mile Daytona trioval. The race will consist of segments of 25 and 50 laps, with both green- and yellow-flag laps counting toward the total.

There will be a 10-minute intermission between segments. Teams can pit or go to the garage and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Changing of springs, shock absorbers or rear-ends will not be permitted.

Starting positions will be determined by a blind draw, held Feb. 5 at the speedway.

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One mor thing and I'll shut my trap,, yes my favorite driver is herding the #88 around the track,, and I've been a super loyal fan,, but if mr E. Jr. don't pick it up a little this year,, I'm gonna have to go with someone else in a cheby,,,,guess I'll have to be one of the late one's what jumps on the JJ band wagon,, taking nothing away from that driver , he is REAL,,, and I love his attitude,,, very humble and still appreciates winning and knows he DID NOT DO IT BY HIMSELF,,,,,,,,go Jimmie and go Junior,,,,

doofus7171doofus7171
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I for one would like to see Nascar let the entire field of nascar racing , race a couple different kind of pavement cars how about a couple races in the 200 mph , modified, without wings, with the big blocks in them , and then we would see how many racecar drivers we really have,, maybe run one or two races on dirt unlimited,, on a mile track,, now that would be exciting,,,, I wouldn't mind paying that 140.00 dollar tickets for that,, and again you would loose about have the field in the heat races,,, process of elimination needs to change and lets get a little excitement back into racing,, thr fans are the ones footing the most money for this super sport, and by god we should have a say on what we would like to see,,,,!!!!!

doofus7171doofus7171
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Well why don't we give Nascar all the credit they supposedly deserve and let them hang themselves and we canhave the big laugh,, but remember one thing, when that happens,, us po folks,, are not going to get to see any racing at all because the networks will drop them like a hot potato,,,as you know the net works are one of the main cash inputs to Nascar, and if the ratings aren't up there then the show will not go on,,,,so for one more season let let them do what they think is right and let them watch the fans in the stands dwindle to almost nothing,, all they are living on right now is Big E's reputation and the Allison boys and people like Junior Johnson,,, ,, people are getting dam tired of this crap from Nascar so lets see how long it's going to take to go all the way under, so we the people can have racing back,,,!!!

doofus7171doofus7171
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Unbelievable!!<br />Lets make the races even more boring.<br /><br />These cars are safe, sure - but the drivers hate them, no one can pass, and now they make the "All Star" races stupid.<br /><br />Didn't the IROC series fail??<br /><br />How many more stupid changes can this NASCAR leadership make?<br /><br />I guess as long as tey keep the sponsors and manufacturers happy, because they sure have abandoned the fans.

SD_FirewalkersSD_Firewalkers
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No one go's to see what car wins its about the driver and his fans, you could put them in ugo's and they would show up stupid nascar doh doh go ahead smack yourself in the forhead for me a few times

dirttrackdirttrack
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IT SUCKS, IT SUCKS, IT SUCKS, cookie cutter cars and restricter plates, now wealthiest teams so much for the exKing of beers and their shootout. Now it is just a car commercial. LITTLE FRANCE and Buttwiper blew it BIG time.


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Go back to the format they had where after the last pit stop it was 10 laps for all the gold.That was some of the best racing and seperated the hope to be racers from the real racers.

jimmy388jimmy388
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spdfrk..Let me know when you have this figured out...I havent a clue...what I do understand is Tony and Newman are out??? And Paul Menard!!!!!!!!!!!!! and Joey Logano are in!!!!!!!!!!! Good grief Charlie Brown could do better than this!

pioneerof50pioneerof50
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Who is running NASCAR? If you think by changing tradition, you DUMMYS, just look at attendance at these races? The chance you take is losing fans back to IRL! If it's a great show they always come in droves! Hey guys #s don't lie, and cameras cant hide the empty seats>.

racer2kracer2k
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Once again, changing Nascar for the worst. Every week there are new rules and regulations. Nascar reminds me of professional wrestling

jdlilpantsjdlilpants
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This new format gives more drivers a chance to get into a marquee event at Daytona to begin the year. If they change teams in the offseason, oh well. That is something they will have to consider. A pole position should only matter for that race, not some event next year. To make it more interesting, limit the number of cars from a single team to 2 or 3 entries - that way, you won't have Roush or Hendrick taking up all the prime Ford and Chevy spots. <br /><br />On that note, get rid of the provisionals and the top 35 rule. Let the fastest 43 time in and be done with it. Part of sponsoring a race team is the risk of getting the media and fan exposure you are hoping for, but there is no guarantee that the TV cameras will focus on your team as much as you want them to. The NHRA doesn't allow for any provisionals, so the pressure is always on to perform. Of course, God forbid Junior doesn't qualify for a race - there would be rioting!<br />There was a comment made a few posts below about letting the cars race unrestricted - that's great until someone launches into the stands or other populated area of the track and kills a bunch of folks. Between the government, the lawyers, and other associated anti-racing folks, we'd never see racing at the professional level again. Every major racing organization has slowed down their race cars at some point in the past ten years, and will likely continue to do so.

kartiackartiac
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boo! I can obviously understand Bud being hesitant to link their race with the Coors Light Pole award, but this is stupid. All five Roush cars are basically guaranteed in. I have trouble respecting a scenario where Michael Waltrip, David Reutimann, Joey Logano, Casey Mears, and Travis Kvapil are in the show, but certain pole winners (such as Nemechek, Carpentier, and Menard) are not.

frog2litefrog2lite
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Nascar sucks they continue to F-it up every week I'm sick of it take the whole series over seas become # 3 behind F1and road rally

GusswhoGusswho
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

sweetteeesweetteee
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Mikey keep it up. Just have them pit EVERY lap with a 5 hour break every 5 laps! That would be consistant with all your other assanine decisions!

fitzyoufitzyou
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I liked the old format except that i would make it a little bit more laps. But now because of the COT i only get to see two guys have a real shot at winning and ten other guys fighting for third. It may not have been spectacular every week, but get things back to the way they were, bristol in which bumping was possible and suspense hung around the entiire race no matter how dominant the lead car was. Darlington in Labor day, hell darlingotn with two races. I loved watching Kurt and Craven bang it out to see who would win at darlington. Also, although it will never happen, i want a racing league with STOCK cars. And if thats not possible then make it where certain parts had to be from the manufacturer and from the car you were modeled after. And in that regard no stupid wing they arent drift cars or tuner cars, know you cant appreciate a good save because the car helped with a lot of it. And if your not going to take off the restrictor plates then open them up so they go 200 around the track. I also hate the COT worse thing ever made. I never thought in my lifetime that i could say that Bristol was boring. But it was. Oh well what can you do. Maybe a petition could get out? Anyone know how to do it?

SeminolesfanSeminolesfan
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so what about the new drivers of the #20 (Logano) and the #12 (?), do they get in? and on the ford side it will be all roush plus a yates car and for toyota as we speek....hold your breath ......both waltrip and reutimann would be in if the season ended.

wndrwlwndrwl
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I like the change. It puts more cars in the race. =-)

RCRKHIRCRKHI
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Try speed mailing people close to Nascar.I found that for DW,Hammond,and Mc renoylds.If enough people do this maybe our voices can be heard.Or am I dreaming?

jbd5000jbd5000
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back 40 hit the nail on the head. time for another racing league. enough of this NASCRAP! they need to loose the cot, the squints, france & helton, give darlington back the labor day race and bring back the 1965 rule book. maybe obama can save nascar also?? CHUMP CHANCE..

jamowoodjamowood
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