NASCAR14FAN
02-10-2007, 06:00 PM
Source: NASCAR.com
The 2006 Budweiser Shootout produced a pair of firsts in the 28-year history of NASCAR's season-opening exhibition event.
Denny Hamlin became the first rookie winner, outdueling Shootout-savvy veterans Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart in a green-white-checkered finish. The two extra laps marked the first time the Shootout needed a "shootout."
Hamlin went on to prove his victory wasn't a fluke, winning two races, qualifying for the Chase (another rookie first) and finishing the year third in points.
The 2007 Budweiser Shootout marks its seventh year since being extended to 70 laps (175 miles). In all, the event has undergone five race format changes and three name changes.
From 1979 through 1997, the exhibition was called the Busch Clash and was consisted of 50 miles. The next three years, the event was remaned the Bud Shootout, with a 25-lap Qualifier preceding the 25-lap main feature.
Dale Jarrett is the only driver to win the event under all three names. Jarrett is on the pole for this year's race.
The 29th running of the Budweiser Shootout will be held at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday (FOX).
Interesting Fact
0
Starts by a Petty Enterprises car in the Budweiser Shootout. Petty cars do not affix the mandated Budweiser logo to its cars and is therefore disqualified. Four times previously had a Petty driver been eligible.
Fun Fact
664.50
Current price of gold as of 10:04 a.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2007, in U.S. dollars, per ounce. Kurt Busch will drive a gold-colored No. 2 Miller Lite car in the 2007 Shootout. Bobby Allison won three times in various Daytona events in Miller-sponsored gold cars, including a 1988 Daytona Twin Qualifer and the Daytona 500, his last win.
All the Facts
1
Drivers in their first Budweiser Shootout: David Gilliland.
2
Drivers qualifying for the Shootout in 2006, then switching teams: Brian Vickers, Elliott
Sadler.
2
Times a driver has won the Shootout despite not earning a pole the previous year: Dale Jarrett, 2000 (Bud Shootout Qualifier); Tony Stewart, 2002 (past winner's rule).
3
Times a driver under the legal drinking age has qualified for the Bud Shootout: Brian Vickers, 2004 (20); Kyle Busch, 2005 (19); 2006 (20).
3
Drivers who have won consecutive Shootouts: Neil Bonnett ('83-84), Ken Schrader ('89-90), Tony Stewart (2001-02).
3.3
Average finish of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in six Shootouts, the best among active drivers with more than one start.
4
Shootout winners who won the Daytona 500 the following week: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996, 2000) and Jeff Gordon (1997).
4
Number of Cup starts Boris Said made in 2006, the fewest of any driver in the field.
4
Times the reigning Cup champion has won the Shootout: Dale Earnhardt, 3 (1988, '91 and '95); Dale Jarrett (2000).
6
Number of poles won by both Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne in 2006, tying for the series high.
6
Number of drivers using the past champion's rule to be eligible for this year's Shootout: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Ken Scrader, Tony Stewart.
9
Former Shootout winners in this year's field: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Ken Scrader, Tony Stewart.
18 Laps led by 2006 Shootout polesitter Ken Schrader, who finished 14th. Schrader is one of three drivers to win the Shootout from the pole.
20.00
Average finish position of Brian Vickers in two Shootouts, worst among this year's field. He placed last in 2006 and finished 19th out of 20 cars in 2005.
37
Career poles by Ryan Newman, the most by an active driver not to win a Shootout.
38 Number of the only car used to win two poles by different drivers in 2006: Elliott Sadler, David Gilliland.
125
Number of scheduled miles the Shootout has increased since the original 50-mile sprint.
The 2006 Budweiser Shootout produced a pair of firsts in the 28-year history of NASCAR's season-opening exhibition event.
Denny Hamlin became the first rookie winner, outdueling Shootout-savvy veterans Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart in a green-white-checkered finish. The two extra laps marked the first time the Shootout needed a "shootout."
Hamlin went on to prove his victory wasn't a fluke, winning two races, qualifying for the Chase (another rookie first) and finishing the year third in points.
The 2007 Budweiser Shootout marks its seventh year since being extended to 70 laps (175 miles). In all, the event has undergone five race format changes and three name changes.
From 1979 through 1997, the exhibition was called the Busch Clash and was consisted of 50 miles. The next three years, the event was remaned the Bud Shootout, with a 25-lap Qualifier preceding the 25-lap main feature.
Dale Jarrett is the only driver to win the event under all three names. Jarrett is on the pole for this year's race.
The 29th running of the Budweiser Shootout will be held at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday (FOX).
Interesting Fact
0
Starts by a Petty Enterprises car in the Budweiser Shootout. Petty cars do not affix the mandated Budweiser logo to its cars and is therefore disqualified. Four times previously had a Petty driver been eligible.
Fun Fact
664.50
Current price of gold as of 10:04 a.m. ET on Feb. 9, 2007, in U.S. dollars, per ounce. Kurt Busch will drive a gold-colored No. 2 Miller Lite car in the 2007 Shootout. Bobby Allison won three times in various Daytona events in Miller-sponsored gold cars, including a 1988 Daytona Twin Qualifer and the Daytona 500, his last win.
All the Facts
1
Drivers in their first Budweiser Shootout: David Gilliland.
2
Drivers qualifying for the Shootout in 2006, then switching teams: Brian Vickers, Elliott
Sadler.
2
Times a driver has won the Shootout despite not earning a pole the previous year: Dale Jarrett, 2000 (Bud Shootout Qualifier); Tony Stewart, 2002 (past winner's rule).
3
Times a driver under the legal drinking age has qualified for the Bud Shootout: Brian Vickers, 2004 (20); Kyle Busch, 2005 (19); 2006 (20).
3
Drivers who have won consecutive Shootouts: Neil Bonnett ('83-84), Ken Schrader ('89-90), Tony Stewart (2001-02).
3.3
Average finish of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in six Shootouts, the best among active drivers with more than one start.
4
Shootout winners who won the Daytona 500 the following week: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996, 2000) and Jeff Gordon (1997).
4
Number of Cup starts Boris Said made in 2006, the fewest of any driver in the field.
4
Times the reigning Cup champion has won the Shootout: Dale Earnhardt, 3 (1988, '91 and '95); Dale Jarrett (2000).
6
Number of poles won by both Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne in 2006, tying for the series high.
6
Number of drivers using the past champion's rule to be eligible for this year's Shootout: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Ken Scrader, Tony Stewart.
9
Former Shootout winners in this year's field: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Ken Scrader, Tony Stewart.
18 Laps led by 2006 Shootout polesitter Ken Schrader, who finished 14th. Schrader is one of three drivers to win the Shootout from the pole.
20.00
Average finish position of Brian Vickers in two Shootouts, worst among this year's field. He placed last in 2006 and finished 19th out of 20 cars in 2005.
37
Career poles by Ryan Newman, the most by an active driver not to win a Shootout.
38 Number of the only car used to win two poles by different drivers in 2006: Elliott Sadler, David Gilliland.
125
Number of scheduled miles the Shootout has increased since the original 50-mile sprint.