3 Doors Down to begin world tour at Shootout

3 Doors Down, one of America's most popular bands, will perform during the 27th annual Budweiser Shootout on Feb. 12 at Daytona International Speedway. The performance will be nationally televised on FOX and comes just days after the release of the band's new album Seventeen Days, which hits stores February 8th.

3 Doors Down will perform their new single Let Me Go and lead singer Brad Arnold will sing the National Anthem before the start of the All-Star race, which features last year's pole winners as well as previous Budweiser Shootout champions.

Following the conclusion of the 70-lap no-holds barred, non-points race under the lights that jumpstarts the 2005 Nextel Cup season, 3 Doors Down will kick off their world tour with a post-race concert, which will be free for all who purchase a Budweiser Shootout ticket.

"(3 Doors Down) are great guys and a great live band," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., winner of the 2002 Bud Shootout and the 2004 Daytona 500. "I've known them for years, and they are big race fans. They put Tony (Stewart) and me in one of their music videos, then we did special paint scheme for them at a Busch race (in 2003). I always like seeing them when they can make it to a race. It'll be great to see them start their tour at Daytona."

The award-winning rock band exploded on the music scene in 2000 with its debut album The Better Life, featuring No. 1 singles Kryptonite and Duck and Run. The group's sophomore album Away from the Sun again produced No. 1 singles such as When I'm Gone and Here Without You. To date the band has sold more than 12 million albums and has six No. 1 singles.

Twenty-one drivers are eligible for the Budweiser Shootout, one shy of the record 22 in 2002. Among the 2004 pole winners eligible to compete in the Budweiser Shootout under the lights include 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman.

Among the past Budweiser Shootout champions eligible are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin and Rusty Wallace.

Geoff Bodine, the Shootout winner in 1992, is eligible but not expected to race.

Tickets for Speedweeks 2005 and the Budweiser Shootout are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com