'10 Budweiser Shootout features new entry criteria

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR announced Wednesday a revision to the 2010 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona format that provides fans with a strong lineup of drivers highlighted by last year's top performers and a collection of previous winners at the sport's most-storied race track.

The 32nd annual season-opening event launches Speedweeks at Daytona on Feb. 6. Green flag is set for 8:10 p.m. ET. The new criteria are based upon the following qualifications, with eligibility based on a driver having competed in the Cup Series within the past two seasons:

• 2010 Speedweeks schedule

• The 12 drivers that qualified for the 2009 Chase
• Past Cup Series champions
• Past Budweiser Shootout champions
• Past Daytona points race winners
• The reigning rookie of the year

"We're always looking at ways to make this event bigger and better for our fans and we believe the new format for the Budweiser Shootout puts together an exceptionally strong lineup of our top drivers," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition.

"In our discussions with the track, we thought by placing an additional emphasis on the drivers who had performed well at Daytona over the years would create an even more compelling element for the fans to get excited about at the beginning of the season."

The race distance remains 75 laps in segments of 25 and 50 laps. Both green-flag laps and caution laps will count. Between segments there will be a 10-minute pit stop allowing teams to pit and change tires, add fuel and make normal chassis adjustments.

Starting positions will again be determined by a blind-draw at the annual Budweiser Shootout draw party on Feb. 4 on the SPEED stage in the Midway, outside Turn 4.

The Budweiser Shootout -- a "non-points" event for Cup competitors -- was first held in 1979, originally known as the Busch Clash. Kevin Harvick won last year's event.