Shootout at night in 2003: The Budweiser Shootout, a non-points race that has kicked off the Winston Cup season since 1979, will be run at night, under the lights at Daytona International Speedway beginning next season. The Shootout will swap days with the traditional date of Winston Cup qualifying for the Daytona 500, with the Shootout running next season on Saturday night, Feb. 8, and Cup qualifying for the 500 on Sunday, Feb. 9, sources said. Fox is scheduled to broadcast Speedweeks events in 2003, but it is unclear at this time whether the Shootout will be televised on Fox or FX. The change will make the Shootout the second new night race for the 2003 season. Lowe’s Motor Speedway announced earlier this season its fall Cup race next year would move to a Saturday night. When asked Monday if the 2003 Budweiser Shootout would be a night race in 2003, Daytona International Speedway officials wouldn’t comment specifically about the change. “An announcement regarding the schedule of activities for Speedweeks next season will be forthcoming very soon,” said Glyn Johnston, Daytona’s director of public relations. The Shootout is a 70-lap race featuring the previous season’s pole winners as well as former winners of the event. Tony Stewart, who currently leads the Winston Cup series points race, has won the past two Shootouts. The late Dale Earnhardt leads all drivers with six victories in the event.(ThatsRacin.com)(10-29-2002)
