Nearly three months after crowning a champion at the final race of 2007, stock car fans are returning to the sandy beaches of Daytona Beach, Florida for the opening of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and the Daytona 500. The ten days preceding the Daytona 500 is nicknamed Speedweeks, a time that is full of racing action from NASCAR's three top series. The first on-track competition for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the Budweiser Shootout.
The Budweiser Shootout is a non-points, exhibition race featuring many of the premier drivers from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. With no points on the line, the participants go for broke during a 70-lap sprint to the finish. Drivers qualify for this All-Star event by scoring a pole award during the previous season or by winning a previous Budweiser Shootout. This race marks the 30th running of the Shootout with a record number of drivers eligible at 23, breaking the previous record of 22 set in 2002.
On Thursday, race fans in the Daytona Beach area have the chance to see the stars from the Budweiser Shootout up close as the 23 contenders will draw for their starting position for Saturday night's race. For the second consecutive year, the Draw Party will broadcast on the Speed Channel and hosted by television personality Steve Byrnes and driver Kenny Wallace. Fans in the area are invited to the Speed Stage, located on track property outside of turn four to cheer on their favorite driver as they prepare for the Shootout. The Draw Party is scheduled for February 7 at 7 p.m. EST followed by the television broadcast at 8 p.m. EST.
Fans venturing early to the Daytona International Speedway (DIS) for the Shootout will enjoy many different entertainment options on Saturday, February 9. On-track, Saturday's ticket features a double-header as the ARCA RE/MAX Series competitors take to the 2.5-mile superspeedway in the ARCA 200, a prelude to the Budweiser Shootout. This year's ARCA race is lining up to be one of the most competitive in the Series history with a list of 74 entrants attempting to qualify for the field. The list includes a mix of driver development teams, several who are aligned with powerhouse Sprint Cup organizations, along with a group of solid ARCA RE/MAX Series regulars.
Off of the track, music will take center stage at DIS as the speedway welcomes rock band Sister Hazel to perform a post-race concert following the Shootout in addition to the National Anthem which will be televised nationally live on FOX. Fans that purchase Sprint FANZONE passes or are holders of hospitality passes will have the opportunity to watch a three song set by the band prior to the start of the race from the tri-oval area along pit road. All Budweiser Shootout ticket holders will be allowed to watch the post-race concert which will take place on the Entertainment Stage inside the Sprint FANZONE next to the Budweiser Bistro.
FOX will provide live television coverage of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona that is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. EST start. FOX goes live with its pre-race show at 8 p.m. EST.
The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway Quick Facts
Race Record: Bill Elliott (197.802 mph, 15 minutes, 10 seconds), February 8, 1987
2007 Winner: Tony Stewart
Total Purse: $1,217,154
