2011 Shootout Rules

[20forLogano]

So, does anyone feel these rules are a joke?  I mean to have conway in the race because he was the ROY in 2010?  He was the only damn rookie.  These rules need to stop changing.  I am all about change being good but somethings should just be left alone.  Past pole winners make the Shootout.  They haven't changed the All Star rules getting in.  I know, I know.  Nascar is the WWE and they always need to find a way to get the Golden Boy in the race but..... 

[Tyyrus]

The Old Rules Past Champions and Previous Yr Qualifiers was the Way to Go !

[scott b]

Now the ROTY winners from the past 10 years are in the shootout.

I think some high-dollar sponsors made a few phone calls.

[OregonSHRFan]

Now the ROTY winners from the past 10 years are in the shootout.

I think some high-dollar sponsors made a few phone calls.

2010, Conway.... is his sponsor still Extenze?
2009, Joey, Home Depot
2008, Regan Smith.... can't remember his sponsor
2007, Juan Pablo, Target
2006, Denny, FedEx
2005, Shrub, Interstate, M&M's
2004, Kasey Kahne, RedBull
2003, Jamie Mac, Bass ProShop
2002, Newman, Army
2001, Harvick, Bud

OK, so who out of those would benefit?? Conway and Regan Smith. The rest of the guys are typically in the shootout. Seems like they keep adding who can be in it, pretty soon, everyone is going to qualify.

[just a fan]

I think they want to make sure they have a full field. The more cars they can get involved the better for tv.

I personally am not a fan of the all star type races. I think Daytona should be a one week event just like every other race as should Charlotte. That would shorten the season by two weeks. It would also allow the addition of two races perhaps at tracks that don't have them (would love to see Darlington, Rockingham and of course Wilkseboro).

[south jersey girl]

here is the qualifications list
* The 12 drivers who qualified for the 2010 Chase
* Past Cup champions
* Past Budweiser Shootout champions
* Past Daytona points race winners
* Cup rookie of the year drivers from 2001-10

adding the past roty's added Conway, Logano, Smith, Montoya, and Kahne
all the other roty's were already in

[scott b]

I originally named names in my reply and then edited them out.

The 5 who are in via the ROTY rule this year are: Conway, Kahne, Logano, Montoya, and Smith.

You can guess which of them have sponsors that have clout.

[20forLogano]

I am happy my boy is in now but for gish sakes, this is getting dumb.  Time to eliminate this thing or make it what it once was.....

[south jersey girl]

I liked it better when it was just basically the pole winners...made qualifying that much more interesting

[scott b]

It's only an exhibition, but I agree... it would be better just to stick with one format from year to year.

Since there are two non-points events per season, one for race winners and one for pole winners is a reasonable way to do it.  Past shootout champions I'm kinda sorta OK with, too, at least it is directly related to that event.

Making these events chock full of entries isn't necessary to get me to watch, I'd be fine with a smaller field.

[Brian623]

 Unfortunately, as long as Coors Light sponsors the  pole award , and Budweiser sponsors the Shootout, this event will just be a cluster of entry rules each year.

[Blu]

I dont even kno what to say. Im sure getting tired of all the changes.I KNOW That

[SMOKEN14]

So, does anyone feel these rules are a joke?  I mean to have conway in the race because he was the ROY in 2010?  He was the only damn rookie.  These rules need to stop changing.  I am all about change being good but somethings should just be left alone.  Past pole winners make the Shootout.  They haven't changed the All Star rules getting in.  I know, I know.  Nascar is the WWE and they always need to find a way to get the Golden Boy in the race but..... 

LOL No offense but I said the same thing last year and you called me a Logano hater.But I still think roty Shouldn't be part of the Shootout but what the Heck it adds a few more cars so I guess it's just change for the better

[Tyyrus]

I agree S-14 the ROY should not be entitled to a place in the Shootout . I also concur with your Blu to darn many changes , just for the sake of change for crying out loud !