New Format for Bud Shootout
7 February 1998
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A new name, more competitors and an exciting race format are the ingredients for the 1998 Bud Shootout At Daytona -- a perfect way to kick off NASCAR's 50th Anniversary season with a bang. Since 1979, the Busch Clash had provided season-opening thrills and incredible finishes during Daytona's annual Speedweeks, however, the new Bud Shootout At Daytona will provide more than twice as much racing action as its predecessor. With twice as many drivers -- 32 NASCAR Winston Cup all-stars -- and twice as many miles -- 125 -- the Bud Shootout and its qualifying race has gives race fans a completely new look. The qualifying race for the 1998 Bud Shootout At Daytona will consist of 25-laps, being made up of 1997 Bud Second-Round Fastest Qualifiers and the Bud Shootout consisting of the 1997 Bud Pole Award Winners from last year's NASCAR Winston Cup season. An additional new feature of this year's Bud Shootout is a mandatory green-flag pit stop (changing of right-side tires), required between laps 10-12, of each 25-lap race. By incorporating pit strategy into a sprint race, the new format will give fans some of the most thrilling action of Speedweeks. The winner of the 25-lap qualifying race will receive a transfer spot into the Bud Shootout. Fifteen NASCAR Winston Cup drivers including seven-time series champion Dale Earnhardt will be gunning for one position -- first -- the only spot that transfers into the high-stakes main event. Defending Daytona 500 champion Jeff Gordon headlines an all-star cast of 17 NASCAR Winston Cup drivers guaranteed spots in the Bud Shootout. Total posted awards for the 1998 Bud Shootout At Daytona are $762,000, with the winner receiving $100,000. The qualifying race for the Bud Shootout At Daytona is scheduled for Feb. 8 at 11 a.m., and will be telecast live by ESPN. The Bud Shootout be televised live on CBS Sports at noon. Following the Bud Shootout At Daytona, the 35th FirstPlus Financial 200 will be run at 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. Practice for the FirstPlus Financial 200, the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series opener, opens stock car Speedweeks on Wednesday, Feb. 4, with pole qualifying scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5. Reserved Tower seats for the Bud Shootout At Daytona/FirstPlus Financial 200 doubleheader are available by calling the Daytona International Speedway Ticket Office at (904) 253-7223. Selected tickets will be available at the gate.