The way drivers qualify for the Budweiser Shootout will change for next year's event (Photo Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
It has been announced that the eligibility criteria for the Budweiser Shootout will return to the traditional format used between 1979 and 2008 ahead of the 2013 running of the event. The new rules dictate that only previous Shootout winners and pole-winners from the previous season will be eligible.
“Fans have expressed their desire to see this event return to its original eligibility rules,” said Steve O’Donnell, 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.”
The rules this year admitted the top 25 in the 2011 points standings, as well as any former winners of the Daytona 500. Had the rule change been implemented this year, the new BK Racing operation would have been able to field Richmond pole-winner David Reutimann, who was 28th in the 2011 overall standings.
The 2012 Budweiser Shootout was won by Kyle Busch.
