Shootout Gives Green Light to the Season

NASCAR’s season formally starts tonight with 21 drivers competing in the Bud Shootout sprint under the lights at Daytona International Speedway.

The field, comprising drivers who won pole positions last year and former Shootout winners, has a wide range of experience, from defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart to rookie Denny Hamlin.

The race at the 2.5-mile Daytona oval is divided into two segments: A 20-lap opening, followed by a 10-minute break, during which crews can make changes to the cars, and then a 50-lap finish.

Besides Hamlin, other first-time Shootout drivers include Kyle Busch, Scott Riggs and Carl Edwards. The race also includes Dale Jarrett, the only active driver to have won the event three times, and 2005 winner Jimmie Johnson.

In practice Friday, some of the fastest times were posted by Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kevin Harvick. All drive Chevrolets.

The Shootout kicks off a week of racing and qualifying at the speedway that culminates with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 19.

Qualifying for the two front starting positions in the 500 is scheduled for Sunday, and the starting grid for the rest of the field will be determined by the results of twin 125-mile races Thursday.

-- Jim Peltz