2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited Race

The 2014 Sprint Unlimited will consist of the 2013 Coors Light Pole Winners

Updated 2-16-2014

THE RACE, Saturday, February 15, 2014

TV: FoxSports 1 at 8:10pm/et
Green Flag Scheduled: approx 8:29 pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) & SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90
Format: To Be decided by the vote of the fans, click here to vote

See 2014 pole winners and 2015 Sprint Unlimited info on the 2015 Sprint Unlimited page

Jumps to sections on this page:

Final Results
Segment 2 Results
Segment 1 Results
Starting Order
Pit Stall Selections
Practices
Event Schedule
Television / Radio Coverage
Race Information / Dignitaries
Purse / Race Awards
Odds
Chassis Selections
Paint Schemes
News and Notes
VOTE for Format
Entry List / Drivers/Teams Chart
Records and Facts
Past Sprint Unlimited Winners
Past Sprint Unlimited Formats

Race Results

  • Denny Hamlin wins all three segments in Sprint Unlimited victory: #11-Denny Hamlin survived a war of attrition to win Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season-opening exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway. The winner of all three segments of the 75-lap event, Hamlin was running up front and out of harm's way when a wreck halved the field early in the second segment. And on a night when the pace car caught fire and had to be abandoned between the second and final segments, Hamlin won the race with a three-wide move on the backstretch on the next-to-last lap at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. The event was decided in a five-lap dash after a Lap 66 collision with #9-Marcos Ambrose in Turn 1 eliminated the #88 Chevy of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had surrendered the lead to #22-Joey Logano two laps earlier. #2-Brad Keselowski ran second, followed by #18-Kyle Busch, Logano and Kevin Harvick, whose #4 Chevy was damaged in the nine-car wreck that punctuated segment No. 2.
    "The best car won -- that's for sure," said Hamlin, who won the last race of the 2013 season, at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "Two in a row now. We're building on something. That was survival of the fittest, that's for sure. With three (laps) to go, we were at the tail end of a very small pack, and it's really hard to get runs. But this car was phenomenal."
    With 15 laps left, Kyle Busch spun in Turn 4 off the nose of Keselowski's Ford, as Busch tried to move down the track. The resulting yellow gave Ryan Newman and Hamlin, the winner of the first two segments, a chance to make pit stops. Fresh tires certainly helped the race winner.
    After fan voting closed at 6 p.m., drivers learned the structure of the race -- segments of 30, 25 and 20 laps in that order. When the engines were fired, roughly 55 minutes after the close of another fan vote, the method of ordering the field was revealed, and the starting lineup was set according to speeds in Friday's final practice. That put Hamlin on the pole, with #1-Jamie McMurray beside him. #20-Matt Kenseth, #31-Newman and #48-Jimmie Johnson, who sat out the final practice session, started 16th through 18th, respectively in the 18-car field. Typical of restrictor-plate racing, however, starting position had little relevance. Hamlin went from the pole to last place and back to the lead again in the first 35-lap segment. Johnson advanced from the tail end of the field to the top five within the space of 20 laps.
    In danger of losing the draft on Lap 6, #10-Danica Patrick rallied to run as high as third in the first segment, using the inside line to advance to the front, as Hamlin and Johnson did likewise. But Johnson's night ended early, after he spun off Turn 4 on Lap 30, bringing the first 30-lap run to an end under caution. Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet was too badly damaged to continue, marking the third straight year the six-time champion has crashed out of the season-opening exhibition race. "Well, that didn't last long," Johnson posted on his Twitter account. Johnson's wreck paled in comparison with the nine-car melee that followed on Lap 37 of the second segment. Kenseth turned sideways near the start/finish line after contact with the #22 Ford of Logano. The resulting wreck collected most of the cars behind Kenseth.
    #14-Tony Stewart, racing for the first time since breaking his right leg in a sprint car accident on Aug. 5, was pinned against the outside wall in a three-car tangle that included the Chevrolets of #24-Jeff Gordon and #41-Kurt Busch. #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.'s Ford slammed into the Chevy of girlfriend #10-Danica Patrick, who had spun in the tri-oval. Kenseth apologized for triggering the wreck, which started when Kenseth tried to move from the outside to the inside lane and hit Logano's Ford. "I was just kind of easing my way down there, and I had no idea Joey was that close to me," Kenseth said. "...Not the way you want to start the season." Stewart seemed no worse for the wear after climbing from his car. "There's no pain right now," he said. "But we'll see what happens in about an hour when the adrenaline wears off."
    Stenhouse was out of control after running into the back of Busch's Chevrolet in the pileup that damaged all four Stewart-Haas Racing entries. "I didn't see anything from the time it started to the time it ended," Stenhouse said. "Talking to Danica when I got in there (infield care center) that I drilled her when she was pretty much sitting still. I couldn't see, couldn't turn and just really destroyed our Nationwide Insurance Ford." The accident left nine cars to take the green flag on Lap 41, including two -- Logano's Ford and Harvick's Chevy -- that were involved in the crash. Harvick quickly dropped back and lost the draft because of crash damage but stayed on the lead lap through the end of the segment. Hamlin grabbed the lead on Lap 47 and held it for the final nine laps of the segment No. 2, crossing the start/finish line .131 seconds ahead of Keselowski. The final fan vote of the night, announced before the last 20-lap run, determined the restart lineup for the final segment would be set by running order off pit road after a mandatory pit stop, with crews changing at least two tires. Hamlin won the race off pit road, lost the lead to Earnhardt but worked his way back to the front a lap and a half before the finish.(NASCAR Wire Service)(2-15-2014)

  • Final Sprint Unlimited Results, lap 75 of 75: 1) #11-Denny Hamlin (1), 75 laps run, 27 laps led
    2) #2-Brad Keselowski (5), 75, 8
    3) #18-Kyle Busch (4), 75, 6
    4) #22-Joey Logano (11), 75, 11
    5) #4-Kevin Harvick (6), 75, 6
    6) #1-Jamie McMurray (2), 75, 10
    7) #9-Marcos Ambrose (8), 75
    8) #31-Ryan Newman (17), 75
    9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (14), 65, 7, accident
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth (16), 35, accident
    11) #14-Tony Stewart (9), 35, accident
    12) #24-Jeff Gordon (13), 35, accident
    13) #99-Carl Edwards (7), 35, accident
    14) #41-Kurt Busch (10), 35, accident
    15) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(3), 35, accident
    16) #10-Danica Patrick (12), 35, accident
    17) #48-Jimmie Johnson (18), 28 laps, accident
    18) #32-Terry Labonte (15), 1 lap, vibration
    On lap 65, #88-Earnhardt Jr moved down, #9-Ambrose tried to go around and the #88 came back up and got hooked and slammed into the wall, ending his night.
    Big wreck on lap 35 when #2-Keselowski slowed, then #20-Kenseth who was behind the #2, moved down and into #22-Logano, the #20 spun and came back up the track, causing many cars to wreck: #14-Stewart, #24-Gordon, #99-Edwards, #41-Busch, #17-Stenhouse Jr, #10-Patrick. #4-Harvick got a little damage but was able to drive on. NASCAR red flagged the race on lap 38 so the track could be cleaned up. The remaining 9 cars were sent to their pit stalls and the crews were allowed to work on the cars.
    #48-Johnson was running 2nd on lap 28, got loose and spun around hitting the inside the wall and ending his night.
    See results and more on the Sprint Unlimited Race Results and Report (pdf).(2-15-2014)

  • Sprint Unlimited Race Fast Facts:
    Denny Hamlin won the The 2nd Annual Sprint Unlimited at Daytona, his second victory in this event
    Brad Keselowski (second) posted his second top-10 finish in this event at Daytona International Speedway.
    Kyle Busch (third) posted his fith top-10 finish in this event at Daytona International Speedway.
    Denny Hamlin becomes the ninth driver with multiple wins in the Sprint Unlimited.(NASCAR Statistics)(2-16-2014)

  • Final segment - fans choose mandatory pit stop: Fans voted up to the end of segment 2 to see how the final segment of the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway would be restarted, the choices were.
    Restart Order for Final Segment: How drivers will line up for the final segment (Voting ends at the conclusion of the second segment)
    Option A: Fastest lap in the race (first and second segments both count)
    Option B: Most laps led (first and second segments both count)
    Option C: Mandatory pit stop (drivers lineup how they come off pit road)
    Fans choose Option C, for a Mandatory pit stop.(2-15-2014)


Segment Two Results - Lap 55

  • Segment 2 Results, lap 55 of 75: 1) #11-Denny Hamlin (1), 55 laps run, 25 laps led
    2) #2-Brad Keselowski (5), 55, 6
    3) #18-Kyle Busch (4), 55, 6
    4) #1-Jamie McMurray (2), 55, 9
    5) #9-Marcos Ambrose (8), 55
    6) #22-Joey Logano (11), 55, 3
    7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (14), 55
    8) #31-Ryan Newman (17), 55
    9) #4-Kevin Harvick (6), 55, 6
    ----------------
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth (16), 35, accident
    11) #14-Tony Stewart (9), 35, accident
    12) #24-Jeff Gordon (13), 35, accident
    13) #99-Carl Edwards (7), 35, accident
    14) #41-Kurt Busch (10), 35, accident
    15) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(3), 35, accident
    16) #10-Danica Patrick (12), 35, accident
    17) #48-Jimmie Johnson (18), 28 laps, accident
    18) #32-Terry Labonte (15), 1 lap. park
    Big wreck on lap 35 when #2-Keselowski slowed, then #20-Kenseth who was behind the #2, moved down and into #22-Logano, the #20 spun and came back up the track, causing many cars to wreck: #14-Stewart, #24-Gordon, #99-Edwards, #41-Busch, #17-Stenhouse Jr, #10-Patrick. #4-Harvick got a little damage but was able to drive on. NASCAR red flagged the race on lap 38 so the track could be cleaned up. The remaining 9 cars were sent to their pit stalls and the crews were allowed to work on the cars.
    #48-Johnson was running 2nd on lap 28, got loose and spun around hitting the inside the wall and ending his night.


Segment One Results - Lap 30

  • Segment 1 Results, lap 30 of 75: 1) #11-Denny Hamlin (1), 30laps run, 9 laps led
    2) #4-Kevin Harvick (6), 30, 6
    3) #22-Joey Logano (11), 30
    4) #41-Kurt Busch (10), 30
    5) #99-Carl Edwards (7), 30
    6) #2-Brad Keselowski (5), 30
    7) #20-Matt Kenseth (16), 30
    8) #31-Ryan Newman (17), 30
    9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (14), 30
    10) #24-Jeff Gordon (13), 30
    11) #9-Marcos Ambrose (8), 30
    12) #18-Kyle Busch (4), 30, 6
    13) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(3), 30
    14) #10-Danica Patrick (12), 30
    15) #14-Tony Stewart (9), 30
    16) #1-Jamie McMurray (2), 30, 9
    17) #48-Jimmie Johnson (18), 28 laps, accident
    18) #32-Terry Labonte (15), 1 lap. park
    #48-Johnson was running 2nd on lap 28, got loose and spun around hitting the inside the wall and ending his night.


Starting Lineup Order
Pit Stall Selections

  • Hamlin to start first: Race fans had the final voice in selecting the starting lineup for The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, Feb. 16. The fans had three choices:
    1) Most Career Poles (most to least)
    2) 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final driver point standings
    3) Final Practice Speeds (fastest to slowest times)
    And fans chose the third option (41%), so #11-Hamlin, who was fastest in final practice will start on the pole followed by #1-McMurray.
    The Lineup:
    1) #11-Denny Hamlin
    2) #1-Jamie McMurray
    3) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
    4) #18-Kyle Busch
    5) #2-Brad Keselowski
    6) #4-Kevin Harvick
    7) #99-Carl Edwards
    8) #9-Marcos Ambrose
    9) #14-Tony Stewart
    10) #41-Kurt Busch
    11) #22-Joey Logano
    12) #10-Danica Patrick
    13) #24-Jeff Gordon
    14) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    15) #32-Terry Labonte
    16) #20-Matt Kenseth
    17) #31-Ryan Newman
    18) #48-Jimmie Johnson
    (2-15-2014)

  • Sprint Unlimited Pit Stall Selections


Practices

  • Happy Hour (final) practice: for the Sprint Unlimited Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 60 scheduled minutes, the top five and notes:
    #11-Hamlin 199.867
    #1-McMurray 199.645
    #17-Stenhouse Jr. 199.579
    #18-Busch 198.842
    #2-Keselowski 198.618
    slowest: #32-Labonte 189.982 & #88-Earnhardt Jr. 195.912
    didn't practice: #31-Newman, #48-Johnson, #20-Kenseth.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Sprint Unlimited Happy Hour Practice Speeds page (pdf).(2-14-2014)

  • First practice: for the Sprint Unlimited Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 45 scheduled minutes, the top five and notes:
    #88-Earnhardt Jr. 198.421
    #18-Busch 198.255
    #41-Busch 198.124
    #4-Harvick 198.111
    #17-Stenhouse Jr. 198.094
    slowest: #48-Johnson 190.359 & #32-Labonte 190.852
    Notes: all 18 cars made runs, the drivers ran mostly in packs and the draft. The #48 hung out back. Many drivers will not practice in the 2nd/Happy Hour practice.
    See fastest speeds, laps run on the Sprint Unlimited Practice Speeds page (pdf).(2-14-2014)


Event Schedule

(Times are local to the Track)

Friday, February 14
9:00 am Garages open
5:00 - 5:45 pm NSCS Sprint Unlimited practice, FS1
6:30 - 7:30 pm NSCS final Sprint Unlimited practice, FS1
9:00 pm Garages close

Saturday, February 15
9:00 am Garages open
7:55 pm The Sprint Unlimited driver introductions
8:15 pm The Sprint Unlimited, FS1


Television / Radio Coverage

  • Race Coverage of the Sprint Unlimited Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2014.
    Television (TV): FoxSports1 at 8:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 6:30 pm/et; green flag approx. 8:29pm/et
    Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
    Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
    Sunday, February 16 at 9:30pm/et on FoxSports2;
    Monday, February 17 at 4:00am/et on FoxSports2;
    Monday, February 17 at 2:00pm/et on FoxSports1


Race Information

  • Fans Vote Race Format for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited: The fans have voted for the format of the 2014 Sprint Unlimited. Fans had three choices for the Race Format, setting the number of laps in each of the three segments, the choices:
    Race Format: Number of laps in each race segment (Voting ended at 6:00pm/et on Saturday, February 15)
    Option A: 30 laps/35 laps/10 laps
    Option B: 30 laps/30 laps/15 laps
    Option C: 30 laps/25 laps/20 laps
    The fans chose Option C, so the format will be 30 laps in segment 1; 25 laps in segment 2; and 20 laps for the final segment.(2-15-2014)

  • Track Specifications:
    Track/Race Length: 2.5 mile oval, 75 laps, 187.5 miles
    Tri-oval with 31-degree banking in the turns
    18-degree banking in the tri-oval and 6-degree banking on the straightaways
    Date track opened: 1959
    Banking in turns 1-4: 31 degrees
    Banking in tri-oval: 18 degrees
    Banking on backstretch: 3 degrees
    Banking on the straightaway: 6 degrees
    Length of frontstretch: 3,800 feet
    Length of backstretch: 3,400 feet
    Grandstand Seating: 147,000.
    Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
    Pace Car Speed: 70 mph
    Pit Road Length: 1,600 feet
    Pit Road Width: 50 feet
    Opened: 1959

  • Race Festivities/Officials:
    Grand Marshal: Larry King and Sprint contest winner Larry Corbin
    Command to start engines: Larry King and Larry Corbin
    Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: TBA
    Honor Guard: Mainland High School JROTC
    Invocation: Pastor Ronnie Barton, 1st Baptist Church of South Daytona
    National Anthem: Shawn King
    Flyover: none?


Odds


Goodyear Tire Notes and Fast Facts

  • none were sent out


Some Chassis Selections:

  • Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in the Sprint Unlimited Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway:

    #2-Brad Keselowski: The primary chassis is PRS-653, which is a new chassis. The backup chassis is PRS-657 which is a new chassis.
    #4-Kevin Harvick will pilot Chassis No. 4-814 at Daytona in Saturday night's Sprint Unlimited. Built new for 2014, Chassis No. 4-814 will see its first laps of competition this weekend.
    #10-Danica Patrick will pilot Chassis No. 10-758 which was wind-tunnel tested in January 2013 before being used by Patrick in the 55th Daytona 500. Patrick qualified the car on the pole with a speed of 196.434 mph and then started first and finished 17th in the first Budweiser Duel. She started on the pole and led five laps in the Daytona 500 before finishing eighth - the best finish ever for a woman in the "Great American Race." The next on-track activity for Chassis 10-573 was during a Goodyear tire test April 16-17 at Daytona. Patrick next drove Chassis 10-758 in May at Talladega, where Patrick started 23rd and finished 33rd after being involved in a late-race accident. The car was rebuilt and wind-tunnel tested throughout the summer and then Patrick drove it in October at Talladega, where she finished 33rd after a pit-road speeding penalty cost her any chance of a good finish. The last time Patrick drove chassis No. 10-758 was in January 2014 testing at Daytona.
    #14-Tony Stewart: Chassis No. 14-762: made its debut during 2013 Budweiser Speedweeks at Daytona. It qualified fifth in time trials for the Daytona 500, which slotted it third in its Budweiser Duel qualifying race. Chassis No. 14-762 ran well in the Duel, finishing sixth to place it 13th in the 55th Daytona 500. But just 34 laps into the season-opening race, Chassis No. 14-762 was collected in a multi-car crash. The team made extensive repairs and 82 laps later, returned Stewart to the 2.5-mile superspeedway to log laps and earn the best finish possible, which was 41st in the 43-car field. It served as backup for the remainder of the 2013 season, but was tested Jan. 9-10, 2014 at Daytona in preparation for the Sprint Unlimited.
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: and the #17 Nationwide team will be using primary chassis Chassis RK-799 which has served as a back-up car for the #17 team for the past year. It was last raced in the 2012 Shootout by teammate Carl Edwards finishing ninth..
    #22-Joey Logano: Primary chassis is PRS-654 which last raced at Talladega in Oct 2013. The backup chassis is PRS-658, a new chassis.
    #24-Jeff Gordon: crew chief Alan Gustafson and the #24 team will unload Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 24-631 for Saturday night's Sprint Unlimited. Gordon has driven this chassis in six restrictor-plate events - four in 2011 and both Talladega races in 2012. While driving this car, Gordon averaged a 3.2 starting spot, including two pole positions at Talladega and one outside pole in the 2011 Daytona 500. Gordon scored his best result - a runner-up finish at Talladega in October 2012 -- the last time he raced this car.
    #41-Kurt Busch will pilot Chassis No. 817 in the Sprint Unlimited. SHR Chassis No. 817 served as a backup for the #39 team last season for the Camping World RV Sales 500 at Talladega but will turn its first laps in racing competition in the Sprint Unlimited.
    #48-Jimmie Johnson: Crew chief Chad Knaus has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 48-756 for Saturday's Sprint Unlimited. Johnson, who will drive the #48 Kobalt Tools Chevrolet SS in the exhibition event, most recently tested this car during Preseason Thunder in early January at Daytona International Speedway.
    #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: crew chief Steve Letarte and the #88 team have chosen Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 88-767, which will be adorned with the National Guard paint scheme. Earnhardt tested this chassis at Daytona in January.
    (from numerous team PR's/sites)(2-14-2014)


Records and Facts:

  • By the Numbers: Sprint Unlimited:
    .013 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kyle Busch over Tony Stewart in 2012, the closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
    .058 - Margin of victory in seconds by Kurt Busch over Jamie McMurray in 2011, the second closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
    .08 - Margin of victory in seconds by Dale Earnhardt over Sterling Marlin in 1995, the third closest margin in Sprint Unlimited history.
    1 - Laps led by Rusty Wallace (1998), Neil Bonnett (1983-84), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Dale Jarrett (2000 and 2004) and Kevin Harvick (2009) in the Sprint Unlimited races they won.
    2 - The starting position that has produced the most Sprint Unlimited wins (five).
    2.75 - Average finish by Dale Earnhardt, best by any driver with multiple starts.
    5 - Drivers who have won the event in their first appearance (Buddy Baker, 1979; Dale Earnhardt, 1980; Jeff Gordon, 1994; Dale Jarrett, 1996; Denny Hamlin, 2006).
    6 - Number of Sprint Unlimited wins by Dale Earnhardt, the series leader.
    7 - Number of fewest starters in the field for the Sprint Unlimited (1981).
    9 - Number of races led, most since race began in 1979 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.)
    11 - Number of starts before winning, most since race began in 1979 (Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin).
    14 - Number of different leaders in the 2009 event, most since race began in 1979.
    20 - Number of wins by Chevrolet in the Sprint Unlimited, leads all manufacturers.
    20 - Most consecutive starts in the Sprint Unlimited by Mark Martin (1989-2008) and Jeff Gordon (1994-2013).
    27 - Kevin Harvick's starting position in 2009, the lowest by a race winner in the event's history.
    28 - Number of lead changes in the 2011 event, highest number since race began in 1979.
    44 - Laps led by Greg Biffle in 2005, the most by a driver who did not win the event.
    47 - Laps led by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008, the most in a single Sprint Unlimited.
    124.095 mph - The slowest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was last season's event won by Kyle Busch.
    197.802 mph - The fastest average speed of the race for the Sprint Unlimited was in 1987 won by Bill Elliott.(NASCAR)(2-10-2014)

  • Sprint Unlimited Tidbits:
    · The number of participants has ranged from a low of seven in 1981 to a high of 28 in 2009 (18 are entered in this year's event).
    · The drivers with the most Sprint Unlimited appearances:
    o Mark Martin (24)
    o Bill Elliott (23)
    o Jeff Gordon (20)
    o Ken Schrader (19)
    o Rusty Wallace (19)
    · Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon have appeared in the most consecutive Sprint Unlimited races, competing in 20 consecutive events. Martin from 1989-2008 and Gordon from 1994-2013.
    · There have been eight multiple winners in the Sprint Unlimited:
    o Dale Earnhardt won six events, most all-time (1980, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995).
    o Dale Jarrett won in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
    o Kevin Harvick won in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
    o Tony Stewart won in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
    o Other multiple winners: Neil Bonnett (1983-1984), Ken Schrader, (1989-1990), Jeff Gordon (1994 and 1997) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2003 and 2008).
    o Bonnett, Schrader, Stewart and Harvick are the only drivers to win back-to-back Sprint Unlimited races. No driver has won three consecutive Sprint Unlimited events.
    · Buddy Baker (1979), Dale Earnhardt (1980), Jeff Gordon (1994), Dale Jarrett (1996) and Denny Hamlin (2006) all won the first Sprint Unlimited in which they competed.
    · Only five times in the 32-year history of the race has the winner gone on to win the Daytona 500:
    Bobby Allison (1982)
    Bill Elliott (1987)
    Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)
    Jeff Gordon (1997)
    · There have been three winners from the pole: Darrell Waltrip (1981), Bill Elliott (1987) and Ken Schrader (1989).
    · Two drivers have swept the Sprint Unlimited, Daytona 500 pole and Daytona 500 from 1979-2013: Dale Jarrett (2000) and Bill Elliott (1987).
    · One driver has swept the Sprint Unlimited, Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400 from 1979-2013: Bobby Allison (1982).
    · Seven drivers have won the Sprint Unlimited (1979-2013) and the same season's championship. Dale Earnhardt is the only one to have accomplished it multiple times - four times.
    Tony Stewart (2002)
    Jeff Gordon (1997)
    Dale Earnhardt (1993)
    Dale Earnhardt (1991)
    Dale Earnhardt (1986)
    Darrell Waltrip (1981)
    Dale Earnhardt (1980)
    · Four drivers have won consecutive Sprint Unlimited races (1979-2013). None went on to win that year's Daytona 500.
    Kevin Harvick (2009-10)
    Tony Stewart (2000-01)
    Ken Schrader (1990-91)
    Neil Bonnett (1983-84)
    · The format for the Sprint Unlimited has changed 12 times since its inception into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1979.
    · The second starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field resulting in five wins over the 35 races.
    (NASCAR)(2-10-2014)

  • The Sprint Unlimited Manufacturer Recap:
    Manufacturer, Victories, Last Victory - Driver
    Chevrolet, 20, 2013 - Kevin Harvick
    Ford, 7, 2004 - Dale Jarrett
    Buick, 2, 1982 - Bobby Allison
    Oldsmobile, 2, 1980 - Dale Earnhardt
    Pontiac, 2, 2002 - Tony Stewart
    Dodge, 1, 2011 - Kurt Busch
    Toyota, 1, 2012 - Kyle Busch


News, Notes and Information:


  • Larry and Shawn King to Participate In The Sprint Unlimited Pre-Race Ceremonies: Legendary television and radio journalist Larry King will serve as co-Grand Marshal of The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, Feb. 15 while his wife, singer Shawn King, will perform the National Anthem. Shawn King will sing the National Anthem just prior to her husband Larry King's starting command, "Drivers, start your engines," which will be delivered alongside two race fans that will be selected earlier in day to serve as Co-Grand Marshals. "We are excited to welcome Larry and Shawn King to the 'World Center of Racing' to participate in the pre-race ceremonies for The Sprint Unlimited," Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. "Larry is an iconic newsman and we're looking forward to his command alongside two race fans. We are also delighted to have his wife Shawn King deliver a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem."
    The Co-Grand Marshals that will give the starting command alongside Larry King are part of the 1,000+ prizes that will be awarded to race fans on property throughout Budweiser Speedweeks. Fans can register at the DAYTONA Reward Stations powered by Windows located in Sprint FANZONE, the Midway outside Turn 4 and in front of the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building. Fans can also pre-register online at www.DISRewards.com prior to arriving at the track. For more information on tickets for The Sprint Unlimited on Saturday as well as the 56th annual DAYTONA 500, race fans can go online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(2-14-2014)

  • Fans To Vote On Race Format For The 2014 Sprint Unlimited At Daytona: For the second year in a row, fans will decide upon a number of competition elements for the Sprint Unlimited at Daytona, the 75-lap, non-points race that kicks off the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing season on Saturday, February 15. Starting today [Jan. 9, 2014], fans can cast their votes to set the overall format and determine key racing elements. Fans will again set the number of laps in each of the three segments, while also voting on how drivers will line up at the start of the race and how they will line up for the restart of the final segment.
    "We are excited to build off of the success of last year's event and give our fans another opportunity to help make key decisions that will enhance the excitement around this highly anticipated race," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition and racing development. "This interactive element is unique to NASCAR - and all of sports."
    Fans can submit their votes within the official NASCAR app, NASCAR MOBILE, or at NASCAR.com/SprintUnlimited. Voting is unlimited and all votes cast through NASCAR MOBILE will count twice. The voting window for the race format will close on Saturday, February 15 at 6 p.m. ET, while voting for the starting order and final segment restart order will close at various times during the race broadcast. Voting results will be announced live during the FOX Sports 1 race broadcast.
    Voting Categories:
    Race Format: Number of laps in each race segment (Voting ends at 6:00pm/et on Saturday, February 15)
    Option A: 30 laps/35 laps/10 laps
    Option B: 30 laps/30 laps/15 laps
    Option C: 30 laps/25 laps/20 laps
    Starting Order: How drivers will line up to start the race (Voting ends at 7:30pm/et on Saturday, February 15)
    Option A: Most Career Poles (most to least)
    Option B: 2013 Driver Points Standings
    Option C: Final Practice Speeds (fastest to slowest times)
    Restart Order for Final Segment: How drivers will line up for the final segment (Voting ends at the conclusion of the second segment)
    Option A: Fastest lap in the race (first and second segments both count)
    Option B: Most laps led (first and second segments both count)
    Option C: Mandatory pit stop (drivers lineup how they come off pit road)
    "Our ultimate goal is to use Sprint's wireless technology to bring NASCAR Sprint Cup fans closer to our sport, and this is the latest example," said Steve Gaffney, vice president of corporate marketing for Sprint. "This effort, the Sprint Unlimited, gives fans the opportunity to sit in NASCAR race control and make calls on key elements of the race. We encourage fans to grab their wireless device and seize this unique opportunity."
    "We look forward to partnering with NASCAR and Sprint to host the second Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway," said Joie Chitwood III, Daytona International Speedway president. "Our passionate race fans helped create an exciting event last year from start to finish. With two new voting categories and real-time results, this year's fan-driven event will be as exciting as ever."
    Twenty NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers are eligible to participate in the 2014 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona. Each driver raced his or her way into the starting lineup by winning pole positions in 2013 or by winning past Sprint Unlimited events.
    2014 eligible participants include:
    · Denny Hamlin (4 poles)
    · Kyle Busch (3 poles)
    · Joey Logano (2 poles)
    · Jimmie Johnson (2 poles)
    · Matt Kenseth (2 poles)
    · Ryan Newman (2 poles)
    · Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2 poles)
    · Jeff Gordon (2 poles)
    · Carl Edwards (2 poles)
    · Marcos Ambrose (1 pole)
    · Kurt Busch (1 pole)
    · Kevin Harvick (1 pole)
    · Brad Keselowski (1 pole)
    · Mark Martin (1 pole)
    · Jamie McMurray (1 pole)
    · Danica Patrick (1 pole)
    · Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (1 pole)
    · Terry Labonte (past winner: 1985)
    · Ken Schrader (past winner: 1989 and 1990)
    · Tony Stewart (past winner: 2001, 2002 and 2007)
    Tickets for the Sprint Unlimited are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(NASCAR)(1-9-2014)

  • 2014 Sprint Unlimited field almost set: As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season nears its conclusion, a star-studded list of drivers have already punched their ticket for next season's first event -- The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona scheduled for Saturday night, Feb. 15 at Daytona International Speedway (TV -- FOX Sports One, Radio -- MRN Radio and Sirius XM Satellite Radio). Twenty NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have earned starting positions in the 2014 edition of The Sprint Unlimited, the 75-lap non-points event that kicks off the stock car portion of Budweiser Speedweeks 2014. For the second straight year, eligibility requirements for The Sprint Unlimited will consist of the previous season's pole winners and past winners of The Sprint Unlimited who have attempted to qualify for at least one NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race during the 2013 season. Seventeen drivers have earned their starting spots by winning pole positions while three others will qualify as past winners of the event. More details on the format, competition elements and the at-track experience opportunities for race fans will be announced in January. Tickets for The Sprint Unlimited as well as the other events surrounding Budweiser Speedweeks 2014 are available online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.(DIS)(11-6-2013)

  • No pole award for Edwards: #17-Matt Kenseth won the pole for last weekend's Sprint Cup event at Kansas Speedway, but he didn't get to reap any of the benefits, after NASCAR penalized his team for using an underweight connecting rod in the engine of the #20 Toyota. The sanctioning body told Kenseth that his pole wouldn't count toward eligibility for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited, the preseason exhibition race at Daytona for 2013 polesitters and previous winners of the race.
    #99-Carl Edwards, who lost the pole to Kenseth by .017 seconds, figured Kenseth's penalty might make him eligible for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited, but NASCAR president Mike Helton had a different point of view. "When I saw the news, I texted Mike Helton right away, and I said, 'All right, cool, we're in the (Unlimited) next year, right? We got the pole,'" Edwards said. "And he sent back, 'LOL!' I didn't think it was that funny, but he thought it was funny. I think (Roush Fenway general manager) Robbie Reiser proceeded to ask him, and then (crew chief) Jimmy Fennig, and he got a good laugh out of it."(NASCAR Wire Service), Kenseth won the pole at Richmond to put him back into the 2014 Sprint Unlimited.(4-28-2013)

  • New name for the Shootout - The Sprint Unlimited: Sprint has partnered with Daytona International Speedway to sponsor The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona, the fan-favorite non-points event formerly known as the Daytona Shootout that traditionally kicks off the stock car portion of Budweiser Speedweeks 2013 and the NASCAR season. The race will once again be held under the lights on Saturday night, Feb. 16 (FOX 8:00pm/et) but will feature several new elements that will make this event even more of a fan favorite. Fans in attendance will be eligible to receive special upgraded race experiences from Sprint including roles as Grand Marshal, Honorary Starter, and trophy presenter. Fans can also help deliver the trophy to Gatorade Victory Lane or participate in driver introductions during pre-race ceremonies.
    "Sprint is entering its 10th season as title sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series," said Steve Gaffney, vice president of marketing for Sprint. "From the outset, we promised unprecedented access for race fans, and each year we challenge ourselves to honor that commitment in innovative ways. Thanks to the strength of our partnership with NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway, we have designed The Sprint Unlimited so that fans play a major role in all aspects of the event. It is the ideal way to start this milestone season, and we look forward to sharing all of the details later this month."
    In addition to the new fan elements, The Sprint Unlimited marks the first time the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race cars will compete on-track in an event. Dubbed "Gen 6," the new-look sixth generation cars highlight greater brand identity for the manufacturers and are expected to heighten the rivalries among drivers and manufacturers. "Now more than ever, through our growing partnership with Sprint, The Sprint Unlimited will be the fans' race," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III. "Sprint has been a great partner with Daytona and NASCAR, and they continue to raise the bar by engaging race fans in new and innovative ways. We look forward to hearing about additional unique elements for this race in the coming weeks. We are also excited for the debut of the new Sprint Cup Series car, which we believe will provide thrilling on-track action and make The Sprint Unlimited an unforgettable launch to the 2013 season."
    As announced earlier in the year, the format for selecting the field of drivers in the invitation-only event will return to its roots for 2013. The eligible field of drivers will consist of pole winners from the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and past winners of The Sprint Unlimited who have attempted to qualify for at least one race during the 2012 season.
    Tickets for The Sprint Unlimited start at $39 and are available for purchase at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Children 12 and under are free in general admission grandstands and the Sprint FANZONE.(DIS)(1-7-2013)

  • No more Budweiser Shootout BUT the will have the Budweiser Duel UPDATE: Budweiser and Daytona International Speedway announced the beer brand will take on an enhanced role in NASCAR's season opening festivities. Beginning with the 2013 season, Budweiser will become the official title sponsor of Speedweeks -the ten-day stretch of stock-car races from the Shootout to the Daytona 500. Budweiser also will secure entitlement of the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races that determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500. These enhancements to Budweiser's partnership with DIS will replace the brand's existing entitlement of the season-opening, non-points Shootout.
    "Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway marks the official start of the NASCAR season, and the opportunity to expand our presence throughout the ten-day event puts Budweiser even more in the thick of it all," said Brad Brown, vice president of sports & entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. "The Shootout has been an important element of our NASCAR program for 34 years, but this opportunity to enhance our partnership makes Budweiser even more relevant to our consumers as well as the fans of the Daytona 500."
    As part of the sponsorship, Budweiser will also receive the presenting sponsorship of the Daytona 500 pre-race broadcast show. The brand will also receive increased access for consumer hospitality events, including naming rights to the 5th Turn hospitality area throughout Speedweeks. "Budweiser is the longest running active partner with Daytona International Speedway and we are incredibly excited to enter this new chapter with them in 2013," said Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood. "The opportunities created by this enhanced partnership are compelling and our fans will benefit the most. The intensity and fun atmosphere that Budweiser brought to the Shootout for so many years will be taken up several notches as they assume a much broader role during Speedweeks and 'The Great American Race.' "(Daytona International Speedway)(2-24-2012)
    UPDATE: The conflicting beer sponsorships led to some awkward eligibility rules over the past few years. Chitwood says he is pursuing several leads for potential title sponsors for the Shootout, but Coors Light is not one of them. Budweiser's exclusivity with the Speedway precludes a rival beer maker from naming the season-opening exhibition race. (NASCAR News Service)(2-25-2012)

  • Shootout Eligibility Returns To Its Roots For 2013: NASCAR released the eligibility requirements for the 2013 Shootout at Daytona, an announcement that signals a return to the fan-favorite preseason event's roots. Next season's field will consist of 2012 Coors Light Pole winners and past Shootout winners who have attempted to qualify for at least one race during the 2012 season. Eligibility rules for next season's annual non-points race mirror those from 1979-2008, and puts greater emphasis on each weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole qualifying session.
    "Fans have expressed their desire to see this event return to its original eligibility rules," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations. "We listened and decided it would be best to return to the eligibility rules of years past adding further meaning to pole qualifying for each NASCAR Sprint Cup race." This announcement comes prior to 2012's first qualifying session, adding intrigue to an already important event. Today's fastest qualifier, in addition to winning the pole for next Sunday's Daytona 500, will also earn a spot in next year's Shootout. Two Daytona 500 starting positions will be locked in after today's qualifying session. The fastest two cars in qualifying will sit on the front row. Last night, Kyle Busch won his first Shootout at Daytona, locking up a spot in next year's field. Busch passed defending series champion Tony Stewart in the tri-oval, edging the three-time titlist by a margin of victory of .013 seconds - the closest in Shootout history. Last season, 18 different drivers won a pole (NASCAR).
    NOTE: it is being called 'The Shootout', no word if Budweiser will still be the title sponsor for the race.(2-19-2012)


Entry List / Drivers Eligible


  • Official Entry List for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited:
    1) #1-Jamie McMurray, Cessna Chevy
    2) #2-Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite Ford
    3) #4-Kevin Harvick, Jimmy Johns Chevy, [won in 2013, 2010, 2009]
    4) #9-Marcos Ambrose, Stanley Ford
    5) #10-Danica Patrick, GoDaddy.com Chevy
    6) #11-Denny Hamlin, FedEx Express Toyota
    7) #14-Tony Stewart, Mobil1 Chevy, [won in 2007, 2002, 2001]
    8) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Nationwide Ford
    9) #18-Kyle Busch, M&M's Toyota
    10) #20-Matt Kenseth, Dollar General Toyota
    11) #22-Joey Logano, Sheel Pennzoil Ford
    12) #24-Jeff Gordon, Drive to End Hunger Chevy [won event in 1997 & 1994]
    13) #31-Ryan Newman, Caterpillar Chevy
    14) #32-Terry Labonte, C&J Energy Services Ford [won 1985]
    15) #41-Kurt Busch, Haas Automation Chevy
    16) #48-Jimmie Johnson, Kobalt Tolls Chevy
    17) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., National Guard Chevy
    18) #99-Carl Edwards, Fastenal Ford
    (NASCAR)
    Eligible, not entered:
    19) Ken Schrader [1990, 1989], retired from NASCAR after 2013
    20) Mark Martin (doesn't plan to race in NASCAR again)

  • Won poles in 2013 and are eligible for the 2014 Sprint Unlimited:
    1) #10-Danica Patrick
    2) ?-Mark Martin (no plans to run Daytona in 2014)
    3) #18-Kyle Busch
    4) #11-Denny Hamlin
    5) #48-Jimmie Johnson
    6) #20-Matt Kenseth
    7) #41-Kurt Busch
    8) #99-Carl Edwards
    9) #1-Jamie McMurray
    10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    11) #2-Brad Keselowski
    12) #31-Ryan Newman
    13) #9-Marcos Ambrose
    14) #22-Joey Logano
    15) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
    16) #24-Jeff Gordon [won event in 1997 & 1994]
    17) #4-Kevin Harvick [won in 2013, 2010, 2009]
    Didn't win a pole in 2013, but are eligible as past event winner:
    18) #14-Tony Stewart [won in 2007, 2002, 2001]
    19) ?-Ken Schrader [1990, 1989], retiring from NASCAR after 2013
    20) #32-Terry Labonte [1985]

NOTE: if qualifying is rained out or cancelled for any reason and set by points, the driver who starts first
(because they are leading the points) is not awarded the Coors Light Pole Award and does not get the cash award

For all time pole list, records and other pole records and notes, see my All Time Poles page

2012 Season Sprint Cup Pole Winners
# Track Pole Winner
1 Daytona International Speedway 1) #10-Danica Patrick
(1 career pole)
finished 8th
2 Phoenix International Raceway 2) #55-Mark Martin
(56th career pole)
finished 21st
3 Las Vegas Motor Speedway none, qualifying rained out
set by rules book, practice speeds
#2-Brad Keselowski
finished 3rd
4 Bristol Motor Speedway 3) #18-Kyle Busch
(11th career pole)
finished 2nd
5 Auto Club Speedway 4) #11-Denny Hamlin
(13th career pole)
finished 25th
6 Martinsville Speedway 5) #48-Jimmie Johnson
(30th career pole)
WON the race
7 Texas Motor Speedway #18-Kyle Busch (2nd of year)
(12th career pole)
WON the race
8 Kansas Speedway 6) #20-Matt Kenseth
(9th career pole)
WON the race
9 Richmond International Raceway #20-Matt Kenseth (2)
(10th career pole)
finished 7th
10 Talladega Superspeedway none, qualifying rained out
set by rules book, practice speeds
#99-Carl Edwards
finished 3rd
11 Darlington Raceway 7) #78-Kurt Busch
(16th career pole)
14th
12 Charlotte Motor Superspeedway #11-Denny Hamlin (2)
(14th career pole)
finished 4th
13 Dover International Speedway #11-Denny Hamlin(3)
(15th career pole)
finished 34th
14 Pocono Raceway none, qualifying & Practice rained out
set by rules book, owners points/attempts
#48-Jimmie Johnson
WON
15 Michigan International Speedway 8) #99-Carl Edwards
(12th career pole)
finished 8th
16 Sonoma 9) #1-Jamie McMurray
(9th career pole)
25th
17 Kentucky Speedway 10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
(12th career pole)
12th
18 Daytona International Speedway #18-Kyle Busch(3rd)
(13th of career)
12th
19 New Hampshire Motor Speedway 11) #2-Brad Keselowski
(3rd career pole)
4th
20 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 12) #39-Ryan Newman
(50th career pole)
WON
21 Pocono Raceway #48-Jimmie Johnson(2)
(31st career pole)
finished 13th
22 Watkins Glen International 13) #9-Marcos Ambrose
(3rd career pole)
finished 31st
23 Michigan International Speedway 14) #22-Joey Logano
(6th career pole)
WON
24 Bristol Motor Speedway #11-Denny Hamlin(4)
(16th career pole)
finished 28th
25 Atlanta Motor Speedway 15) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
(1st career pole)
finished 16th
26 Richmond International Raceway 16) #24-Jeff Gordon
(73rd career pole)
finished 8th
27 Chicagoland Speedway #22-Joey Logano(2)
(7th career pole)
finished 37th
28 New Hampshire Motor Speedway #39-Ryan Newman(2)
51st career pole)
finished 16th
29 Dover International Speedway #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr(2)
(13th career pole)
finished 2nd
30 Kansas Speedway 17) #29-Kevin Harvick
(6th career pole)
WON
31 Charlotte Motor Speedway #24-Jeff Gordon(2)
(74th career pole)
finished 7th
32 Talladega Superspeedway none, qualifying rained out
set by rules book, practice speeds
#43-Aric Almirola
finished 22nd
33 Martinsville Speedway #11-Denny Hamlin(5)
(17th career pole)
finished 7th
34 Texas Motor Speedway #99-Carl Edwards(2)
13th career pole)
finished 37th
35 Phoenix International Raceway #48-Jimmie Johnson(3)
(32nd career pole)
finished 3rd
36 Homestead-Miami Speedway #20-Matt Kenseth(3)
(11th career pole)
finished 2nd

won first pole of season for that driver
no pole, weather cancelled qualifying
BLACK = has already won a pole this season


Purse / Race Awards

The Sprint Unlimited / Budweiser Shootout Purse History:
2014: $1,051,074
2013: $1,051,074
2012: $1,040,667
2011: $1,040,667
2010: $1,095,439
2009: $1,217,154
2008: $1,217,154
2007: $1,153,518
2006: $1,119,920
2005: $1,087,300


SPECIAL PAINT SCHEMES FOR THE SPRINT UNLIMITED

  • 2014 Sprint Unlimited Paint Schemes

    CAR#-DRIVER SPONSOR / SCHEME / PROMO IMAGE LINK
    #1-Jamie McMurray Cessna #1 Team Schemes Page
    #4-Kevin Harvick Jimmy Johns #4 Team Schemes Page
    #9 Marcos Ambrose Stanley #9 Team Schemes Page
    #11-Denny Hamlin FedEx Express #11 Team Schemes Page
    #14-Tony Stewart Mobil1 #14 Team Schemes Page
    #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Nationwide Insurance #17 Team Schemes Page
    #20-Matt Kenseth Dollar General #20 Team Schemes Page
    #24-Jeff Gordon Drive to End Hunger - AARP #24 Team Schemes Page
    #31-Ryan Newman Caterpillar #31 Team Schemes Page
    #32 Terry Labonte C&J Energy Systems #32 Team Schemes Page
    #48-Jimmie Johnson Lowe's / Kobalt Tools #48 Team Schemes Page
    #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard #88 Team Schemes Page
    #99-Carl Edwards Fastenal #99 Team Schemes Page


  • Where 2013 SPRINT CUP POLE winners finished

      (36 races, 32 poles, thru 11/17/2013))

    • WINS = 6
    • TOP FIVES: 15
    • TOP TENS: 19
    • OUT of TOP TEN: 13


    2013 SPRINT CUP POLES DRIVERS LIST:

      1. ) #11-Hamlin, Toyota, 5
      2. ) #18-Busch, Toyota, 3 (WON 1)
      3. ) #48-Johnson, Chevy, 3 (WON 1)
      4. ) #20-Kenseth, Toyota, 3 (WON 1)
      5. ) #22-Logano, Ford, 2 (WON 1)
      6. ) #39-Newman, Chevy, 2 (WON 1)
      7. ) #88-Earnhardt Jr., Chevy, 2
      8. ) #24-Gordon, Chevy, 2
      9. ) #99-Edwards, Ford, 2
      10. ) #10-Patrick, Chevy, 1
      11. ) #55-Martin, Toyota, 1
      12. ) #78-Busch, Chevy, 1
      13. ) #1-McMurray, Chevy, 1
      14. ) #2-Keselowski, Ford, 1
      15. ) #9-Ambrose, Ford, 1
      16. ) #17-Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 1
      17. ) #29-Harvick, Chevy, 1 (WON)
      18. ) cancelled, 4

    • Wins from the pole in 2013:
      #48-Jimmie Johnson won the race at Pocono in June from the 1st starting spot, but qualifying was rained out
      #48-Jimmie Johnson, Martinsville, 4/7/2013
      #18-Kyle Busch, Texas, 4/13/2013
      #20-Matt Kenseth, Kansas, 4/21/2013
      #39-Ryan Newman, Indianapolis, 7/28/2013
      #22-Joey Logano, Michigan, 8/18/2013
      #29-Kevin Harvick, Kansas, 10/6/2013


    2013 MANUFACTURER SPRINT CUP POLES:

      Toyota - 12 (4 different drivers)
      Chevy - 13 (8 different drivers)
      Ford - 7 (5 different drivers)

      Total Races: 36......32 Coors Light Poles won
      1) weather conditions cancelled qualifying at: Las Vegas, March 2013, the field was set by owners points/rules book and practice speeds
      2) weather conditions cancelled qualifying at: Talladega, May 2013, the field was set by owners points/rules book and practice speeds
      3) weather conditions cancelled 1st practice & qualifying at: Pocono, June 2013, the field was set by owners points/rules book
      4) weather conditions cancelled qualifying at: Talladega, October 2013, the field was set by owners points/rules book and practice speeds


    PAST WINNERS of the SPRINT UNLIMITED / BUD SHOOTOUT / BUSCH CLASH:

      YEAR  THE SPRINT UNLIMITED WINNER
      back to the old format, previous season pole winners, past Sprint Unlimited / Bud Shootout winners.
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2014: #11-Denny Hamlin(2), Toyota, $201,139
      2013: #29-Kevin Harvick(3), Chevy, $202,075
      YEAR  BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT WINNER
      another new format, Top 25 drivers in points, former Daytona winners, Series champs
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2012: #18-Kyle Busch, Toyota, $198,550
      another new format, Chase drivers, former Daytona winners, Series champs and rookies of the year, last 10 years
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2011: #22-Kurt Busch, Dodge, $203,000
      another new format, former Daytona winners, Series champs and rookie of the year
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2010: #29-Kevin Harvick(2), Chevy, $202,357

      new format top 6 in each manufacturer by owners pts and a wildcard for a total of 28
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2009: #29-Kevin Harvick, Chevy, $200,000

      YEAR  BUDWEISER SHOOTOUT WINNER
      Format was for pole winners and former shootout winners
      Year, Winner, Make, Winnings
      2008: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevy, $215,000
      2007: #20-Tony Stewart(3), Chevy, $215,000
      2006: #11-Denny Hamlin, Chevy, $213,380
      2005: #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chevy, $219,945
      2004: #88-Dale Jarrett(3), Ford, $213,000
      2003: #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevy, $205,000
      2002: #20-Tony Stewart(2), Pontiac, $200,955
      2001: #20-Tony Stewart, Pontiac, $202,722

      YEAR  BUD SHOOTOUT WINNER
      2000: #88-Dale Jarrett(2), Ford, $115,000
      1999: #6-Mark Martin, Ford, $108,000
      1998: #2-Rusty Wallace, Ford, $100,882

      YEAR  Bud Shootout Qualifier Winner (held 1998-2000)
      2000: #88-Dale Jarrett (won Bud Shootout)
      1999: #31-Mike Skinner (4th in Bud Shootout)
      1998: #23-Jimmy Spencer (4th in Bud Shootout)

      YEAR  BUSCH CLASH WINNERS (# of wins)
      1997: #24-Jeff Gordon(2), Chevy, $54,000
      1996: #88-Dale Jarrett, Ford, $62,500
      1995: #3-Dale Earnhardt(6), Chevy, $57,000
      1994: #24-Jeff Gordon, Chevy, $54,000
      1993: #3-Dale Earnhardt(5), Chevy, $60,000
      1992: #15-Geoff Bodine, Ford, $39,000
      1991: #3-Dale Earnhardt(4), Chevy, $60,000
      1990: #25-Ken Schrader(2), Chevy, $95,000
      1989: #25-Ken Schrader, Chevy, $75,000
      1988: #3-Dale Earnhardt(3), Chevy, $75,000
      1987: #9-Bill Elliott, Ford, $75,000
      1986: #3-Dale Earnhardt(2), Chevy, $75,000
      1985: #44-Terry Labonte, Chevy, $65,000
      1984: #12-Neil Bonnett(2), Chevy, $50,000
      1983: #75-Neil Bonnett, Chevy, $50,500
      1982: #88-Bobby Allison, Buick, $50,000
      1981: #11-Darrell Waltrip, Buick, $61,500
      1980: #2-Dale Earnhardt, Olds, $50,000
      1979: #28-Buddy Baker, Olds, $50,000

    • All-time Sprint Unlimited / Budweiser Shootout / The Busch Clash Formats:
      1979-1990: 20-lap standard format
      1991-1994: 20-lap distance with halftime break at the 10-lap mark with the field inverted.
      1995-1996: 20-lap distance with halftime break at the 10-lap mark with field inverted. Starting position awarded to the Nationwide Series pole champion.
      1997: 20-lap race with a break at the 10-lap mark with an inversion of the field.
      1998-2000: 25-lap qualifying race featuring previous year's second-round qualifiers. Winner advances to the main 25-lap event.
      2001-2002: 70-lap race featuring pole winners but also past Budweiser Shootout champions.
      2003-2008: Held for the first time under the lights. 70-lap race features halftime break after the first 20 laps.
      2009: Distance expanded to 75 laps. The top-six drivers in owner's points from each manufacturer earns a starting berth. A 10-minute halftime break will take place after 25 laps. In addition, each manufacturer will be able to enter a wild card driver.
      2010: The field was made up of the 12 drivers who qualified for the previous year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, past NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, past Budweiser Shootout champions, past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 champions and the reigning Rookie of the Year.
      2011: The field was made up of the 12 drivers who qualified for the previous year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup,
      past NASCAR Sprint Cup champions, past Budweiser Shootout champions, past Daytona 500 and Coke Zero 400 champions & Rookies of the Year of last 10 years.
      2012: The field was made up of the 25 drivers who finished in the top 25 in 2011 Drivers Points,
      previous winners at Daytona, including the Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400 and Budweiser Shootout events
      2013 - current: Renamed the Sprint Unlimited after Budweiser drops the rights. The eligible field of drivers will consist of pole winners from the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season and past winners of The Sprint Unlimited who have attempted to qualify for at least one race during the 2012 season.


    All Time Poles page
    2013 Pole Winners
    2012 Pole Winners
    2011 Pole Winners
    2010 Pole Winners
    2009 Pole Winners

    and in 2012 when it was changed to Daytona, Bud Shootout winners
    2012 Budweiser Shootout

    and in 2010-2011 when it was changed to Daytona, Bud Shootout winners and past champs
    2011 Budweiser Shootout
    2010 Budweiser Shootout
    that changed for 2009, when it is 6 highest manufacturers in Owners standings
    2009 Budweiser Shootout
    For the past Bud Shootout pages, 1979-2008, the races was for pole sitters
    2008 Budweiser Shootout
    2007 Budweiser Shootout
    2006 Budweiser Shootout
    2005 Budweiser Shootout
    2004 Budweiser Shootout
    2003 Budweiser Shootout
    2002 Budweiser Shootout
    2001 Bud Shootout
    2000 Bud Shootout
    1999 Bud Shootout
    Stats Main Page and Stats Links
    Jayski's Silly Season Site Sprint Cup News Page
    Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site Main Page