DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona will be around at least three more years with a new format that places the emphasis on the four manufacturers in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series.
The 31st annual season- opening event at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 7 will have a field of 24 cars representing the top six teams from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. It will be based on the final 2008 car owner points.
But two-time Cup champion Tony Stewart and reigning Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman won’t be in the Shootout lineup because of a change of teams.
Stewart is switching from Toyota to Chevrolet, while Newman is moving from Dodge to Chevrolet. That means neither will be there since their cars will not be among the top six in car owner points.
The race distance will be increased from 70 laps to 75 (187 miles) on the 2.5-mile Daytona tri-oval.
Sorenson leaves Ganassi.
Driver Reed Sorenson left Chip Ganassi Racing and signed a multiyear contract to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season, when he’ll join Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler. The Associated Press
