2012 Budweiser Shootout

by Matt Taliaferro

Thirty three drivers are eligible for NASCAR's 2012 Budweiser Shootout. The Shootout, which unofficially kicks off Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway, will be televised on Saturday, Feb. 18 on FOX at 8:00 pm EST. Those eligible for the event this year include all drivers within the top 25 in the final 2011 championship standings, past Bud Shootout winners and past Daytona point-race winners.

Eligible Drivers, via top 25 in 2011 standings (Car number):

AJ Allmendinger (22)

Marcos Ambrose (9)

Greg Biffle (16)

Clint Bowyer (15)

Jeff Burton (31)

Kurt Busch (51)

Kyle Busch (18)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88)

Carl Edwards (99)

Jeff Gordon (24)

Denny Hamlin (11)

Kevin Harvick (29)

Jimmie Johnson (48)

Kasey Kahne (5)

Matt Kenseth (17)

Brad Keselowski (2)

Joey Logano (20)

Mark Martin*

Paul Menard (27)

Juan Pablo Montoya (42)

Ryan Newman (39)

David Ragan (34)

Tony Stewart (14)

Martin Truex Jr. (56)

Brian Vickers*

Also eligible:

Trevor Bayne (2011 Daytona 500 winner)*

Geoff Bodine (past Daytona 500 and Shootout winner)*

Derrike Cope (past Daytona 500 winner)*

Bill Elliott (past Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 and Shootout winner)*

Terry Labonte (past Shootout winner)*

Jamie McMurray (past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 winner)

Ken Schrader (past Shootout winner)*

Michael Waltrip (past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 winner)

The few notable drivers that do not meet eligibility requirements include Dave Blaney, David Gilliland, Robby Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Casey Mears, David Reutimann and Regan Smith.

* Not entered as of Feb. 13th.

