Shutout of Shootout

Next year the Budweiser Shootout will showcase the top six teams from each manufacturer, based on the final 2008 car owner points.

With today's announcement that has thrown a curveball at some drivers and a question still to be answered.

Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, Joe Nemechek and Patrick Carpentier, who have all won a pole this season, will not be in the 2009 Shootout.

Three-time Shootout winner Tony Stewart will not be in the shootout since he's taking the #66 owners' points, which currently ranks 12th among the Chevrolets. Other defending winners: Mark Martin, who will run full-time with Hendrick in 2009, Bill Elliott and Ken Schrader will not be eligible.

Also Clint Bowyer, who is currently eligible, will not be in the event if Casey Mears keeps the No. 07 owners' points as planned. If Mears does not leave Hendrick early the Shootout will be the first time turning laps in competition with RCR.

The move also puts Joey Logano in the race even before turning a lap in Sprint Cup competition. Logano would also have the chance to win the event being under the age of 21.

The to-be-named driver of the No. 12 Dodge will also be in the event.

One question to still be answered is if a team that is eligible switched manufactures in the offseason. So hypothetically let say Ganassi switches to Toyota in the offseason would the No. 41 and the 42 bump out two current eligible Toyota teams?

 

Current Owners' Standings

Chevrolet
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88
2. Jimmie Johnson #48
3. Jeff Burton #31
4. Kevin Harvick #29
5. Jeff Gordon #24
6. Clint Bowyer #07 (Casey Mears)
------------------
7. Aric Almirola #8
8. Martin Truex Jr. #1
9  Mark Martin #5
10. Paul Menard #15
11. Regan Smith #01
12. Tony Stewart #14

Dodge
1. Kasey Kahne #9
2. #12 Driver
3. Kurt Busch #2
4. Elliott Sadler #19
5. Juan Pablo Montoya #42
6. Bobby Labonte #43
------------------
7. #41 Driver
8. Robby Gordon #7

Ford
1. Carl Edwards #99
2. Greg Biffle #16
3. Matt Kenseth #17
4. David Ragan #6
5. Jamie McMurray #26
6. Travis Kvapil #28
------------------
7. David Gilliland #38

Toyota
1. Kyle Busch #18
2. Joey Logano #20
3. Denny Hamlin #11
4. Brian Vickers #83
5. David Reutimann #44
6. Michael Waltrip #55
-------------------
7. Dave Blaney #22
Posted: 8/26/2008 9:20:01 PM
Comments:
The whole qualifying system for NASCAR is broken. ALL THE WAY AROUND.

Each car should have to qualify each week, fastest 43 are in the race. Period.

Isnt that the whole idea? It is RACING - NOT sponsoring.

This terrible idea is typical.
Posted On: 8/29/2008 8:26:57 PM
This is the crazy its not broke don't fix it I don't care if I see a race next year I'm am so sick of all the changes Nascar is killing its self and
my love of the sport IRL looks pretty good
Posted On: 8/27/2008 9:30:21 PM
This is nothing as conpared to the stubid CHASE .
Do i like it , well yes .
The 24 "best" should be in this race .
Posted On: 8/27/2008 8:26:10 PM
I'm writing a column on it for my Sunday paper, f it!
Posted On: 8/26/2008 10:12:18 PM
Well, Smoke won't be in it and Waltrip will...Just the latest example of what's ****d up with NASCAR. I hate it. Doubt I'll watch much NASCAR next year. Smoke's done so I really don't care anymore. I'm begging for Stewart-Haas Racing to start up an Indy team. Pleeeeease!
Posted On: 8/26/2008 10:10:48 PM
Why would NASCAR want to mess with something as sacred as the Shootout!!!???!!! This is a TERRIBLE idea and I hope it is just a thought that flies out the window like a gnat...
Posted On: 8/26/2008 9:59:30 PM

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