2007 Shootout update 2006-07-12

Budweiser Shootout Update: 19 Drivers Already Eligible

With the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup at the halfway point, 19 drivers are already eligible to compete in the season-opening 2007 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. The record number of entries for the all-star event is 22, set in 2004.

The 2007 event will be the 29th running of the invitation-only event, and includes active drivers that are past winners of the race and all 2006 Budweiser Pole Award winners during the 36-race Nextel Cup season. The season-opener next year will mark the competition debut of Toyota in Cup competition.

Following 18 races this year, here are the drivers eligible for the 2007 event. (As in years past, some drivers that are eligibile may choose not to compete due to retirement or other factors.)

<pre> Past Winners of the Budweiser Shootout: 1. Denny Hamlin 2006 winner (Pocono Bud Pole) 2. Jimmie Johnson 2005 (Martinsville BudvPole) 3. Dale Jarrett 1996, 2000, 2004 4. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 2003 5. Tony Stewart 2001, 2002 6. Mark Martin 1999 7. Jeff Gordon 1994, 1997 8. Ken Schrader 1988, 1989 9. Bill Elliott 1987 10. Terry Labonte 1985

2006 Budweiser Pole Award Winners: 11. Jeff Burton Daytona 500, Chicago 12. Kurt Busch Fontana, Sonoma 13. Greg Biffle Las Vegas, Richmond 14. Kasey Kahne Atlanta, Texas, Darlington, Michigan 15. Kyle Busch Phoenix 16. Elliott Sadler Talladega 17. Scott Riggs Charlotte 18. Ryan Newman Dover 19. Boris Said Daytona (July)

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