The Draw Party

Last night, we bundled up like little Eskimos and ventured out in 20 degree Florida weather to attend the Budweiser Draw Party. Luckily, through the radio station, we get VIP access so it is was an evening of good food, free beer and the chance to be up close and personal with the boys. You can see why this has always been one of our favorite events to go to. Although the weather made it unbearable to stay for the whole party, we enjoyed ourselves as usual. I am not sure if our lives can take the debauchery.

I wonder if Jimmie Johnson and Elliot Sadler changed identities. The usually well groomed Jimmie came with his beard still intact....and Elliot was clean looking like a pretty boy! Kyle Busch played nice with the crowd by throwing bags of M&Ms at the fans. I guess the "most hated driver" in Nascar is trying to make a few friends. Watching M&Ms being thrown is slightly different than last year when I watched multiple drivers take "target practice" with their selection flags, Darlynn's chest being the bulls eye.

Tomorrow nights race is going to be different and the lineup has a lot to do with it. I have been complaining since they changed the format. We have 2 rookie of the year contenders running in the Shootout, a driver that didn't race in the Cup Series last year and a few other drivers that do not deserve to be in this race. Meanwhile, last years Daytona 500 winner is not in the race, along with a driver that chased for the cup and a few other guys that in my eyes should be in the Shootout. Regardless, I am excited that we will be at a race tomorrow night.

Budweiser Shootout.....It's baffling

They added a wild card to the Budweiser Shootout, making it more confusing and controversial than ever. This wild card will allow the manufacture to add a 7th car to the field. The new spot will bring the 7th car in manufacturer points or a previous champion to the shootout. Here is the new line up....

Chevy
Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Casey Mears, Jeff Burton, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Wild Card: Tony Stewart (past champion)

Toyota
Denny Hamlin, Joey Lagano, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, David Ruetimann, Michael Waltrip
Wild Card: Depends on #22...if they have a car in Daytona, it will be whoever is driving that car, if not, it will be Scott Speed

Ford
Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragan, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil
Wild Card: Bobby Labonte

Dodge
Kasey Kahne, David Stremme, Kurt Busch, Reed Sorenson, Elliot Sadler, Robby Gordon
Wild Card: AJ Allmendinger
Yes, I said Robby Gordon who left Dodge to race Toyota this season. Nascar, Toyota and Dodge all signed an agreement allowing Gordon to race the Shootout in a Dodge. This makes ZERO sense to me whatsoever. When he left Dodge, his spot should have gone to the GEM #10, and the wild card should be Penske #77. Why would this be beneficial to Dodge, which is apparently what Nascar wants this race to be....to benefit the manufacturers. In my opinion, Gordon should not be the one in this race, his spot should go to AJ Allmendinger, giving the wild card to Sam Hornish Jr. So, Earnhardt Ganassi can pull a Dodge out of their garage and put Juan Pablo Montoya in the race? Seems only fair right?

Like I said...baffling. Plus, how bad does this suck for Martin Truex Jr? He was the 7th in line in Chevy but Tony Stewart grabbed his spot by being a past champion. Nascar is handing out breaks and he still cant seem to get one.

The "New" Budweiser Shootout

From the moment I started following Nascar, the Budweiser Shootout quickly became one of my favorite racing events. It is in my backyard, it is a night race, it isn't long and it is an overall fun race to watch. I just read that they are changing the format of the race for 2009. Instead of it being a race between pole winners and previous shootout champions, the lineup will now consist of the top-six teams from each manufacturer, based on the final 2008 car owner points.

So, here is my problem with this. This really limits your top drivers that will racing for the Shootout. For instance, take a look at Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman. The top six teams of each manufacturer (not drivers) at the end of the 2008 season clinched their berths. Since it is based off the manufacturer, not the driver, I would assume that Tony and Ryan wont make the race? I don't like this new method, not at all.

If the season was over today, this is the lineup for the drawing party:
Chevy: Dale Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer
Ford: Carl Edwards, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, David Ragen, Jamie McMurray, Travis Kvapil
Dodge: Kasey Kahne, Ryan Newman*, Kurt Busch, Elliot Sadler, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bobby Labonte
Toyota: Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart*, Denny Hamlin, Brian Vickers, David Reutimann, Michael Waltrip

I am going to keep my comments to myself.