Bud Shootout Set for Saturday Night

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is set to kick off its 10-month season this coming Saturday night with the Budweiser Shootout all-star event at Daytona International Speedway.  The 75-lap race under the lights will be the first for NASCAR in Speedweeks 2009, which culminates with the 51st running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15.

The race will feature 28 drivers and be split into two segments, one of 25 laps and the second of 50 laps.  Starting positions will be determined by a draw on Thursday, February 5.

The Budweiser Shootout has been an exciting part of Datyona Speedweeks since its inception in 1979, then under the title of "Busch Clash".  The race was originally comprised of the previous year's pole winners.