Open Race Thread: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Shootout | Daytona International Speedway

Weather permitting...

The wait is over and the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season is just moments away.

The NASCAR season is among the shortest in all of professional sports. And yet, fan anticipation is near a fever pitch in February. This was even more apparent in 2012 when NASCAR pushed-back the start of the season to accommodate changes to the NFL’s schedule.

In 2012, drivers became eligible by finishing in the top-25 in 2011 Sprint Cup championship points, being a past Bud Shootout winner, Daytona 500 or Coke Zero 600 champion.

The starting lineup was determined by blind draw on Friday where Martin Truex Jr. selected the pole position. The 2004 and 2005 Nationwide Series champion will be joined on the front row by Kyle Busch. Brad Keselowski, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan will complete the starting top-five.

The Shootout is one of the most unpredictable races of the year. For starters, it’s a restrictor plate race meaning that virtually any starter could win the race from anywhere in the field. Second, the Shootout is just 70 laps composed of two segments -- 25 and 50 laps -- including yellow flag laps. No points are on the line and it’s very much a win or crash trying environment.

Joe Gibbs Racing has won four times (2001, 2002, 2006 and 2007) with Tony Stewart winning three of them. Stewart will start in 14^th for Stewart-Hass Racing.

Richard Childress Racing has had the hot hand in plate races over the last two seasons. Look for an RCR up front at all times, as all three cars made the field. Jeff Burton rolls off the grid 12^th with Kevin Harvick and Paul Menard starting 22^nd and 24^th respectively.

NASCAR and its radio partners announced a new way to experience race broadcasts in 2012 with all regular season and exhibition events to be streamed over the internet.

Live television coverage will start on FOX at 8 p.m. EST and will feature the voices of Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, and Darrell Waltrip. For those who are away from a television set or prefer the radio broadcasts, www.motorracingnetwork.com will stream the race live on any supported computer or mobile device.

The command to fire engines will be given at 8:17 p.m. with the green flag dropping at approximately 8:29 p.m.

The wait is over, winter has passed and it’s time to start your engines.

As always, the complete starting lineup can be found after the jump. See you in the comments section!