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Week of 2/5/06
Schrader Draws Pole For Budweiser Shootout
Ken Schrader will lead a field of 21 drivers to the green flag in the 28th running of the Budweiser Shootout this Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway (8 p.m. ET on TNT). Schrader was one of two drivers remaining to draw his respective starting position Thursday night at the Budweiser Shootout Qualifying Draw Party when he pulled the No. 1 spot. SPEED Channel will air the Draw Party on its “NASCAR Live” telecast between the first and second practice sessions on Friday.
The 2005 Budweiser Shootout champion, Jimmie Johnson, will start on the outside poll. Tony Stewart, Joe Nemechek, and Kasey Kahne round out the top-five. The complete line-up is as follows:
1. Ken Schrader
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Tony Stewart
4. Joe Nemechek
5. Kasey Kahne
6. Elliott Sadler
7. Ryan Newman
8. Scott Riggs
9. Dale Jarrett
10. Jeff Gordon
11. Carl Edwards
12. Bill Elliott
13. Mark Martin
14. Kyle Busch
15. Denny Hamlin
16. Matt Kenseth
17. Jamie McMurray
18. Kevin Harvick
19. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
20. Brian Vickers
21. Michael Waltrip February 9, 2006
THE BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT - Details
We've got actual racing starting this weekend, first up is the shootout where last year's poll sitters, and past shootout winners will make a mad dash for cash only, no point here. The format looks like this, the first segment is 20 laps, then a 10 minute intermission where teams may change normal pit stop stuff, then the 50 lap segment that must end under green flag conditions. Up for grabs $1.1 million, last year's poll sitter was Dale Jarrett, and the winner was Jimmie Johnson.
Details: Here’s how the Shootout works … Part of the Budweiser Shootout’s appeal is its sprint format. First staged in 1979, it’s in its fourth season of being run in two segments. The first segment is 20 laps, followed by a 10-minute intermission. The second segment is 50 laps that must end under green-flag conditions, meaning the “green-white checkered” finish is in effect. The starting lineup was determined by a random draw on Thurs., Feb. 9.
Some procedural notes:
• Teams may change tires or perform any normal pit-stop maintenance during the 10-minute intermission.?• Caution laps will count during both segments.?• Crews can work on their cars during a red flag, but only in the pit or garage areas.?• All restarts are double-file.?• All lapped cars will restart at the rear of the field. February 9, 2006
Hamlin only rookie to run Shootout
One of the new faces on the Shootout roster this year is rookie Denny Hamlin who grabbed his first career poll at end of the season last year at Phoenix. He ran in only 7 races last year, which makes him eligible to run for rookie of the year in '06. February 9, 2006
Kurt Busch gets 50 hours sentence
Kurt Busch was in court yesterday to answer for his November 11th traffic violation in Maricopa County Arizona. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service as part of a plea bargain, by admitting he was speeding and following too closely. You'll remember that Kurt was suspended for the final two races of the season last year by Roush Racing. February 8, 2006
Braun-Akins Racing forms
Akins Motorsports and Braun Racing have come together to form Braun-Akins Racing. They will still field the same cars with drivers Jason Leffler and AJ Foyt the IV. Ironically both teams have been the center of attention on Speed Channel's NBS 24/7 for the last two seasons. February 8, 2006
Schwans drops 4 numbers to #45
Schwan's Home Service will be the new sponsor for Petty Enterprises' #45 Dodge driven by Kyle Petty for the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. No word on what happens to the #49 BAM Racing Dodge, now driven by Brent Sherman. February 8, 2006
So who's racing in the Shootout?
Budweiser Shootout is this weekend, and here are the eligible drivers
2005 Bud Pole Winners:
1) #88-Dale Jarrett (Daytona 500)
2) #5-Kyle Busch (California)
3) #12-Ryan Newman (Las Vegas, Atlanta - 2X, Texas - 2X, Lowe's, Michigan, Dover)
4) #38-Elliott Sadler (Bristol, Indy, Talladega, Lowe's)
5) #10-Scott Riggs (Martinsville)
6) #24-Jeff Gordon (Phoenix, Sonoma)
7) #29-Kevin Harvick (Talladega, Richmond)
8) #9-Kasey Kahne (Darlington, Richmond)
9) #55-Michael Waltrip (Pocono)
10) #20-Tony Stewart (Daytona, NHIS, Martinsville)
11) #48-Jimmie Johnson (Chicago)
12) #25-Brian Vickers (Loudon)
13) #26-Jamie McMurray (Pocono)
14) #01-Joe Nemechek (Michigan)
15) #17-Matt Kenseth (Bristol, Kansas)
16) #99-Carl Edwards (California, Homestead)
17) #11-Denny Hamlin (Phoenix)
Past Budweiser Shootout Winners are also eligible:
18) #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(won in 2003)
19) #6-Mark Martin (won in 1999)
20) #21-Ken Schrader (won in 1989,1990)
21) #36-Bill Elliott (won in 1987)
22) #44/96-Terry Labonte (won in 1985)
23) Rusty Wallace (won in 1998)...but is retired
February 8, 2006
Schrader and 'Mikey' will run 15 Busch races
Ken Schrader and Michael Waltrip are teaming up with Brewco Motorsports this year to run in 15 Busch races. Splitting the duties driving the #66 Yard-Man car, the veterans will tackle tracks like Daytona, Las Vegas, Memphis, Bristol and more.
February 8, 2006
Rusty's Busch team to run full season
February 8, 2006
Gordon on QVC this week
Last week it was Tony Stewart, this week Jeff Gordon on For Race Fans only on QVC. Jeff will be featuring autographed collectibles, some different die-cast cars and more. Check him out at 8pm Eastern. February 8, 2006
Edwards takes on Jack Bauer
Yesterday I told you Carl Edwards was in Los Angeles this week, as part of his hop-scotch around the country. Well he was delivering his lines for an upcoming episode on the TV show '24.' The episode will air Monday April 3rd. Let's just hope he didn't get on Jack Bauer's bad side. February 8, 2006
Big bucks fuel 500 entries
So why do teams put such a huge amount of time for the first race of the year? Well for one it's the Daytona 500 and all the prestige that goes with that, and now the total prize money is over $18 million dollars. The winner grabs at least $1.4 of that, and last place for just starting/finishing 43rd pays around $225,000.
February 7, 2006
Elliott gets 500 sponsor
Bill Elliott now has a sponsor for his #36 MB2 Motorsports ride for the Daytona 500 this year. Ginn Clubs and Resorts will be the primary for the 500, plus the Bud Shootout and all of Speedweeks. Bill will be teammates with Joe Nemechek and Sterling Marlin. February 7, 2006
Edwards flying everywhere
Carl Edwards is rackin' up his frequent flyer miles and the season hasn't even started yet. Check this out, he's gone from Daytona to Las Vegas, to Los Angeles, back to Vegas, where he'll test today at the track, and then it's onto Mexico City tomorrow, then back to Daytona. February 7, 2006
Busch Testing - Las Vegas
The last test session for the NASCAR Busch Series starts today in Las Vegas and runs through Wednesday. This is the 25th Anniversary season, and over 40 teams are signed up and ready to run 2 of the 3 days at the track. Title contenders this year include John Andretti in the #10, Ashton Lewis Jr. driving the #25, and Jason Leffler piloting the 32. Most of last years top guns are this years Cup Series rookies.
February 5, 2006
Daytona 500 a sell out...again
This is probably no surprise to you, but all grandstand seats for the 48th running of the Daytona 500 are sold out again. The Great American Race has about 200,000 fans in attendance each year, and 34 million tuned in on Fox last year. Some tickets are still available for the infield. February 5, 2006
Hendrick offers $1.2m bonus to staff
Hendrick Motorsports has issued a challenge to their 550 employees. If all 4 of their Cup cars make the Chase this year they will split a bonus set at $1, 248, 525 (contains the numbers of all of their cars) Not to their drivers who see some nice paychecks, but all of the other employees which works out to about $2,200. February 5, 2006
TESTING | KENTUCKY
Dodge teams are coming together today at Kentucky Speedway as part of a joint test session. Evernham Motorsports, Penske Racing South, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Petty Enterprises are all expected to take part. After test sessions in Daytona and Las Vegas so far this year, the Dodges are still looking for more speed in their Chargers. February 5, 2006
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