Sofa Sideline – Let’s Rock ‘n Roll

Okay this is it – we’re getting ready to go!

This weekend we start off with qualifying on Saturday to
determine the starting lineup for next Thursday’s Twin 125s. The two fastest
qualifiers will lock in their position on the front row for the Daytona 500.
Drivers who qualify in odd-numbered positions compete in the first Gatorade 125;
even numbers run in the second 125. With the exception of the already qualified
top two positions, the first fourteen finishers in each 125 earn positions 3-30
for the big race, with the remainder of the 43 car field filled based on
qualifying speeds and car owner provisional points.

But the real fun this weekend is the Budweiser Shootout!!

The 70-lap, 175 mile season opener will be held this Sunday,
February 10 at 2:00 p.m., one week prior to the Daytona 500, and is comprised of
those drivers who either won a Bud Pole Award during the 2001 Winston Cup season
or have been a past winner of the Budweiser Shootout. There are a record number
of eligible participants – 23 in all. There was some question about the
eligibility of past winner Geoffrey Bodine but apparently he’s in. Jason
Leffler won a Bud Pole last season but lost his ride with Chip Ganassi Racing
and will not be participating in the Shootout. That leaves us with a field of
22.

Qualifying for the Budweiser Shootout was held Thursday when
the drivers choose their starting position by means of a random drawing. This
race is always fun for the drivers as they get to start the season by just
racing each other without worrying about points. As for the fans, it gets us all
pumped up for the 500 and a chance to see how the "best of the best"
will fare.

Rules governing the race:

The Shootout consists of 70 laps of green-flag racing. If the
yellow flag comes out, the field will revert back to the last completed lap.

If the yellow flag is displayed after the leader has received
the white flag, all cars will be scored as they receive the yellow flag for the
first time.

Teams are required to make a green-flag pit stop and must
change at least right-side tires. Pit stops made under caution do not count
toward this requirement.

In the event of a red flag stop, crews will be permitted to
work on the cars; however, all work must be performed on pit road or garage area
only. When the race resumes, all cars must be ready to return to competition
immediately.

Starting lineup:

Well, he picked first, but is starting last – Jeff Gordon
will start from the very back of the field for Sunday’s Budweiser Shootout.
The complete line-up is as follows:

1. Kurt Busch

2. Kenny Wallace

3. Tony Stewart

4. Kenny Schrader

5. Bill Elliott

6. Ricky Rudd

7. Terry Labonte

8. Ryan Newman

9. Dale Jarrett

10. Jimmy Spencer

11. Casey Atwood

12. Rusty Wallace

13. Sterling Marlin

14. Bobby Labonte

15. Ricky Craven

16. Dale Earnhardt Jr.

17. Stacey Compton

18. Mark Martin

19. Jeff Green

20. Geoffrey Bodine

21. Todd Bodine

22. Jeff Gordon

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that last year’s
winner, Tony Stewart will win again. I think he’s "pumped" for the
Championship, and will try to start this season off with a bang.

That’s it for now…. more later