6:19 p.m. ET — This is a race that has evolved quite a bit over the years. Buddy Baker won the inaugural event back in 1979, leading all but two of the 20-lap sprint. Baker won $50,000 for his efforts that afternoon.
The race was 20 laps through 1997, and it was bumped up to 25 laps in 1998 through 2000. Seventy laps were run until 2008, and it’s been 75 circuits ever since. There was also a qualifying race for the Shootout in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
6:07 p.m. ET — Four drivers — all with positions in the top 10 — will have to drop to the rear of the starting lineup on the pace laps for Saturday night’s Budweiser Shootout due to going to backup cars, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. None of the backups cars were able to make it onto the track for practice. Kyle Busch (second), Brad Keselowski (third), Kurt Busch (sixth) and A.J. Allmendin,ger (ninth) will pull out of line on the pace laps and drop to the rear of their respective lines on the grid before taking the green flag. The drivers were involved in a multicar accident during practice.
Did you see the Mac... Did you seen the Mac... Did you see the Mac???