Nascar is once again tinkering with the Budweiser Shootout rules. After changing the lineup to include the top six points finishers for each manufacturer, the League is allowing each manufacturer to add a wild card entry. The entry must be a past Cup Champion and they must have attempted to compete in all races the year prior. We’ll call this the Tony Stewart Rule because he was the only big name that benefits from the change. If a manufacturer does not have a driver that qualifies, the wild card entry will revert to the seventh place points finisher.
I know when the overall change in qualifying format was originally announced people got their panties in a twist, but it’s only because the rules are incredibly biased. GM is the only manufacturer that fields more than 6 good teams. Basically all of Roush gets to play and then when you get to Toyota and Dodge, lesser teams that have no business making it into the field get a spot because six cars go a long way in Toyotaville. I get that because Budweiser no longer sponsors the pole, it’s a bit awkward that Coors pole winners would receive a slot, but this is ridiculous.
Oh and Tony, congratulations. You deserved to be in the field no matter what!
(Photo: Getty Images; source)
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