Was this a conspiracy to make sure that one of the biggest idols and phenomenal drivers in NASCAR wasn’t kept off the Daytona track? Were the rules changed just to make sure that “Smoke” was happy? Were the rules changed to make sure the fans were kept happy? Were the rules changed for marketing and ticket sales purposes?
There may or may not be some truth to a few of these questions but I think many people forget that a number of teams have gone through mergers, acquisitions and partnerships; therefore, changes are inevitable to the rules and regulations. Change has been the norm these days for all of the things that have been occurring within this racing entity. Some people have been accepting the changes and some have been resisting but those are the reactions of change within any entity.
According to NASCAR.com the criteria are as follows:
• “Any owner outside of the top six in year end 2008 owner points whose driver is a past Cup Series champion that attempted to qualify for all 36 of the 2008 events (only one position will be filled per manufacturer and will be based on the most recent past champion per manufacturer).”
• “If an owner/manufacturer does not have a past champion driver, the next highest eligible owner outside the top six in year end 2008 owner points from each manufacturer will be eligible to compete in the event.”
NASCAR has indeed made a tremendous decision to revise the 2009 Budweiser Shootout criteria by implementing the “Wild Card” manufacturer entry rules. This event would have not been the same without Tony "Smoke" Stewart hitting the track. He is one of the greatest talents in this sport; therefore, it would have not been the same Daytona race event without him on the track.
Additionally, it will be nice to see Bobby Labonte, Robby Gordon and Sam Hornish Jr. catch some of the Daytona action as well.
Until next time…
