NASCAR Returns Shootout Eligibility to its Past Glory
The last few years the Shootout field has been set by drivers who are in the top 25 in points and previous winners in all of the races Daytona. “Fans have expressed their desire to see this event return to its original eligibility rules,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. “We listened and decided it would be best to return to the eligibility rules of years past adding further meaning to pole qualifying for each NASCAR Sprint Cup race.”
Last season, 18 different drivers won a pole. There are 12 current drivers who would automatically be eligible by being previous Shootout winners including Kyle Busch the most recent winner.
This announcement comes just in time of the first qualifying session of the season for the Daytona 500.
This returns a greater emphasis to the significance of winning the pole for any race during the season. It also elevates the prestige of the Shootout itself.
