NASCAR: Revision to Budweiser Shootout Next Month

NASCAR announced this morning that they will allow each manufacture to have a "wild-card" for the 2009 Budweiser Shootout, increasing the size of the field from 24 to 28.

The event is scheduled to take place Feb. 7 and originally was set to include the top-six drivers from each manufacture.

Eligibility for the spot includes:

• Any owner outside of the top six in year end 2008 owners' points whose driver is a past NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion that attempted to qualify for all of the 2008 events (only one position will be filled per manufacturer and will be based on the most recent past champion per manufacturer).

• If an owner/manufacturer does not have a past champion driver, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owners' points from each manufacturer will be eligible to compete in the event.

The race will be 75 laps (with a 25-lap segment, followed by a 50-lap segment.)

Between the two segments, there will be a 10-minute pit stop, at which time teams will pit and may elect to change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments. Crews will be permitted to work on cars and will be allowed to perform functions they would do on a normal pit stop in a regular NASCAR Spring Cup event.

All work must be performed on pit road or in the garage. Changing of springs, shock absorbers or rear-ends will not be permitted.

As always, starting positions will be determined by a blind draw during the annual Budweiser Shootout Draw Party on Feb. 5, on SPEED Network.

According to the press release, the cars eligible for the wild-card spot include: Chevrolet (Tony Stewart, No. 70), Dodge (AJ Allmendinger, No. 10), Ford (David Gilliland/Paul Menard No. 38) and Toyota (Unknown Driver, No. 22).