Ku. Busch draws pole for 30th Budweiser Shootout

By Official Release
February 7, 2008
11:49 PM EST

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Kurt Busch will lead the 23-car field to the green flag in the 30th annual Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night at Daytona (8 p.m. ET on FOX). Busch won the top starting spot through a random draw that took place at the SPEED stage at Daytona on Thursday night. Mark Martin, who drew the second-place starting position, will join Busch on the front row.

The 23 drivers eligible for the Shootout participated in the annual Draw Party to determine the starting lineup for the race. Each driver selected a Budweiser bottle containing a numbered flag. The number indicated the driver's starting position.

Busch was the sixth driver to select a bottle and although he is excited about starting from the top spot, he said it only matters where he finishes.

"I think this race is a great, unique way to start the season," Busch said of the Shootout.

"There are only 23 guys that get the special treatment. I'm starting first but in this type of racing I could be 23rd on the first lap. This is a tight group of guys that are tough but we're looking forward to it."

Busch makes just his fifth start in the Shootout while Martin, who made his Shootout debut in 1982, makes his 21st start.

"I drew the number two starting spot because I didn't want to start up front," Martin joked after making his selection. "I like starting in the back and passing everybody. But we were just talking about how much different it is from 1982. I just feel like it's a privilege to be in this race."