NASCAR’s “Tip-O-the-Hat” to Manufacturers

By Marc • August 26, 2008

So, there’s a change to next year’s Budweiser Shootout format at Daytona.

Instead of it being a race between the previous years race and pole position winners it will pit a field of 24 cars representing the top six teams from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota. The starting line-up will be by determined by a blind draw held Feb. 5 at Daytona.

What does it all mean? For starters it means Tony Stewart and 2008 Daytona 500 winner Ryan Newman won’t be in the Shootout lineup because of their change of teams.

Beyond that, not much.

Sure, the Chevy, Ford, Dodge (formerly known as The Big Three, now not so much) and Toyota will burn up a few hundred reams of paper with press releases pimping the event, fans will awaken from their two month slumber and the booth bobbleheads get a chance to shake off their broadcasting cobwebs but when looking at the big picture, who cares?

Unless you’re a die-heard fan of this years winner can you name him? (when will it be a her?) The event means no points, with a bit of glory for the driver that lasts a few days and that’s about it.

Ho-hum!

Categories: Sprint Cup
Tags: 2008 Daytona 500, Auto Racing, Budweiser Shootout, Dodge, Home, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Toyota

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3 Responses to “ NASCAR’s “Tip-O-the-Hat” to Manufacturers ”

Bruce Simmons Aug 27th, 2008 at 10:45 am

I like the change up of venue, but they should have some conditions to allow folk who jump to other teams be able to participate… I think. Not sure, I may have to think on that one some more.

Why the ho-hum, useless, points free event? It wakes the fan up from their winter watching slumber. It gets folks to pony up more $$. More diecasts, hats and things.

Any other thoughts? I don’t know.

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Bruce Simmons Aug 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am

I like the venue change up, but maybe they should create allowances for those who jump about like Stewart and Newman. Not sure… I’ll have to ponder that one some more. (Or get myself more caffeine to power the thinking processes. How ever few there are.)
Marc Aug 27th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

I acknowledged the fan wake-up call, as far as the diecast and other stuff, sorry not impressed they can keep all that crap. I haven’t bought ANY sports paraphernalia since getting a brand new Wayne Gretzky #99 Jersey his third year in Edmonton.

I haven’t felt any great need to make the already millionaires more so and that won’t change anytime soon.

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