Open Thread: The Budweiser Shootout Starting Lineup Draw Party
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(Update Midnight CST: Dale Earnhardt Jr. drew the first spot and will start tonight’s Budweiser Shootout from the pole position. Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, and Kasey Kahne will round out the top five.)
Feel free to use this thread to talk about today’s practices and Starting Lineup Draw Party for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout. It’s always been one of my favorite events of the year and unofficially kicks off the season.
I get the feeling that it’s something the drivers really enjoy too. You can’t mimic that sort of goofiness, especially when Kenny Wallace is around.
As for Shootout practice, Dale Earnhardt Jr. began the first session in a familiar setting - on top of the Daytona speedcharts.
Earnhardt Jr. posted the fastest time in a brief 45-minute session, recording a fast lap of 199.862 mph. His time just edged Mark Martin, who clocked in at 199.853. Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch rounded out the top five.
Derrike Cope was dangerously slow, clocking in at 172.970 - seven seconds slower than the leaders. I’d be surprised if he even takes the green flag tomorrow after that.
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