Thursday night, February 8, will mark several firsts in the 29-year history of the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. For the first time, the drawing to determine the starting line-up for Saturday night’s 70-lap Shootout will be seen on prime-time television, as SPEED kicks-off their massive Daytona Speedweeks schedule. Fans across North America can tune-in at 8:00pm/et Thursday evening to see the one-hour special with co-hosts Steve Byrnes and Kenny Wallace along with 21 Nextel Cup stars. Each of the drivers will participate in the random draw for their starting position. The field includes six current or former Nextel Cup champions and nine past winners of the Budweiser Shootout. The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona includes all active past champions of the event as well as all Bud Pole Award winners from the 2006 Nextel Cup season. Kasey Kahne will be the first to draw for his starting position as the recipient of the season-long Bud Pole Award for winning six pole positions during 2006. Also for the first time, the general public can attend the Draw Party, free of charge. It will take place at the SPEED Stage, located outside of the turn four tunnel at the Daytona International Speedway. The stage features the new 50-foot Fan Tower, and will be the Budweiser Draw Party Headquarters for the evening. For fans attending in person, the live, on-stage proceedings are scheduled to begin at approximately 6:45pm/et.(fingerprint inc. PR)(2-3-2007)
