It's a new year with a new team, car number and manufacturer for driver Dale Jarrett and the UPS Racing program. When Jarrett takes to the track for Budweiser Shootout practice on Friday 
afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, he will be doing so behind the wheel of the #44 UPS Toyota Camry. It will also be the first Nextel Cup event in which Toyota will participate, with Jarrett and fellow Toyota driver Brian Vickers representing the ranks of Camry drivers in 2007. Jarrett, a three-time winner in the Budweiser Shootout, will hope to score win number four in the annual event while delivering the first win to Team Toyota.
The action begins Saturday, February 10, at 8 p.m. with FOX providing live television coverage of all the racing action.
Dale Jarrett Discusses the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona
How important is the Budweiser Shootout to you and the new team this year? "Obviously it's going to be very important because it's going to be our best gauge to see where we are with our speedway program with this Toyota Camry. Being in this race is a nice advantage for our program because this is the first event for Toyota. We're a new team with a new car, so hopefully we'll get a good test for our program and learn things that will help not only me but my teammates when it comes to getting ready for the Duals on Thursday."
Is this just the same Budweiser Shootout we see each year? "Sure. It's a fun event that I think we all feel very fortunate to be a part of. Budweiser has been a tremendous company for this sport and it's an honor to be able to participate in this and with that company. Even though this isn't the first points race of the season it is the unofficial start of our year and that in and of itself is exciting enough. We're all looking forward to getting back on the track and competing after the winter and what better event to kick off the year than a race that is about fun, entertainment and just getting the trophy."
Notes of Interest:
- Jarrett leads all active drivers with three wins in the Budweiser Shootout. The late Dale Earnhardt leads the category among all drivers with six wins.
- Jarrett is one of only four active drivers that have won the race more than one time. The other three drivers to have multiple wins in the event are Ken Schrader, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart.
- Jarrett is one of five drivers who won the Budweiser Shootout in their first attempt. Other drivers to do so are Buddy Baker, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin.
- Jarrett is also the all-time money winner in the Budweiser Shootout with $660,981 in earnings.
