Bud Shootout gets an overhaul; big names left out of line-up
Previously, to qualify for the event, a driver had to win a pole in the previous season or have been a past winner of the Shootout itself.
Truckers Connection
10/2/2008
Next year’s pre-race kick off will certainly have a new look as well as some noticeably absent stars.
How about Tony Stewart? He won the event three times in the past, yet not in the ’09 race. Ryan Newman? Won the Daytona 500 this year, yet not in the event. David Reutimann, won…um, anything? Yeah, he’ll likely be in there along with Michael Waltrip. What, you ask? We’re scratching our heads too. But the Bud Shootout is sporting a new format next year which — clearly — shakes up quite a bit.
Previously, to qualify for the event, a driver had to win a pole in the previous season or have been a past winner of the Shootout itself. That was when Budweiser was also the Bud Pole Sponsor. In ’09, Coors takes over that distinction and suddenly Anheuser-Busch needed a new method for establishing entry. Voila! A new method established and it goes a little something like this: the participants will be only the top six teams in 2008 owner’s points from each manufacturer.
Stewart and Newman, teammates with the new Stewart-Haas Racing and with few owner points from ’08, will be sidelined. Joe Nemechek, Patrick Carpentier and Paul Menard, all 2008 pole winners who would’ve qualified under the old format, will not have a showing in ’09. So who is slated to appear? All five Roush cars will represent Ford, Chevrolet would be represented by three Hendrick and three Childress teams, Ganassi and Penske will be there for Dodge and all three Gibbs teams will be there for Toyota.
Teams boasting new Cup faces in ‘09
The long-anticipated announcement placing Joey Logano officially behind the wheel of the No. 20 Home Depot car was finally made to the surprise of no one. With him will be long time crew chief of the No. 20, Greg Zipadelli — his first time heading up a Cup team that did not sport Tony Stewart as its driver.
“This is a dream com true,” Logano said. “I couldn’t be more excited to get in a car like this.”
The 18 year old Logano has been in the Gibbs development team since he was 15, and began gaining some Cup experience at last month’s Richmond race. He’s also slated to drive the No. 02 Toyota (sponsored by Home Depot) in this month’s Atlanta race.
Also making driver-with-a-new-team news is Reed Sorenson who will leave Chip Gnassi Racing to take up residence at Gillett Evernham Motorsports. No sponsor or number has been announced, but the move should prove fruitful for the 22-year-old since his new team boasts better numbers than his previous. GEM can claim 12 wins and made three Chase appearances in the past six seasons. Said Sorenson: “I’m going over here to try and make myself a better racecar driver.”
And Casey Mears also leaps to a new team — Richard Childress Racing. Since Mark Martin was tapped to take over Mears’ No. 5 ride with Hendrick, fans knew Mears would be relocating, and the rumor mill was buzzing with where he’d land. RCR was the predominant name in the mix, wishing to add a fourth car to the pack. All was confirmed late August. Mears will take the seat of the No. 7 Jack Daniels car, while Clint Bowyer will pilot the No. 33 sponsored by General Mills.
Limited Edition Jeff Gordon coin to support foundation
The Jeff Gordon Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a 2008 Limited Edition Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital Coin. The one-time-only numbered coin is available now with a $50 donation at the Foundation web site, www.jeffgordonfoundation.org. The coin is part of the Foundation’s ongoing support for the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital, and specifically benefits the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a clinical services area of the hospital.