Sandbagging Not in Strategy This Time

Seventeen drivers who won a pole position in one of last year’s 32 Winston Cup races will sprint 25 laps today in a revamped Speed Weeks event once known as the Busch Clash.

The Bud Shootout--its new name--is actually two 25-lap dashes. One is for the pole winners and a preliminary one is for drivers who were the fastest second-day qualifiers. The winner--one driver only--from the preliminary race will get to come back and start from the rear against the 17 already qualified for the Shootout.

To create some excitement, a mandatory pit stop to change the two right-side tires must be made between the 10th and 12th laps.

Jeff Gordon, the two-time Winston Cup champion who won last year’s Clash, acknowledges he is somewhat responsible for the format being changed.

“Last year we ran 10 laps, stopped, and the field was inverted for the second 10. Dale [Earnhardt] and I sandbagged in the first half to see who could finish last, so we could start on the pole for the second 10,” Gordon said. “It wasn’t easy, trying to be slowest without being too obvious.

“But I like this new way much better. I’d love to win again. It gets the year off to a quick start. It also gives us a distinct advantage, going into the Twin 125 qualifying races on Thursday. No matter how much you practice, you don’t really know how your car is going to handle until you race it.”

Mark Martin, who won three poles last year, drew the No. 1 starting position.

The consolation race may be the most exciting, as it has Earnhardt, Sterling Marlin and Darrell Waltrip among its 14 starters.

Earnhardt is a six-time winner of the Busch Clash, which ran for 19 years.