Twenty-five drivers will compete in the annual season-opening Sprint Unlimited exhibition race at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR unveiled the eligibility requirements Monday.
NASCAR sets Sprint Unlimited eligibility requirements
The non-points season-opener will consist of 25 drivers including Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick.
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Included among the criteria used to set the field are 2015 pole winners, former Daytona 500 pole winners, previous winners of the Sprint Unlimited and those who qualified for last season’s Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff. By applying these conditions, NASCAR ensures virtually every star driver will race in the Feb. 13 event consisting of 75 laps divided into 25- and 50-lap segments.
One eligible star set to miss the race is Jeff Gordon, who retired at the conclusion of the 2015 season. Casey Mears, the highest ranked driver in points from last year not already qualified, will fill Gordon’s spot. If any other participant withdraws, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. would make the race.
Starting position will be set via a random drawing Feb. 12.
Sprint Unlimited eligible drivers
2015 pole winners:
AJ Allmendinger
Kurt Busch
Kyle Busch
Carl Edwards
Jeff Gordon
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Jimmie Johnson
Kasey Kahne
Matt Kenseth
Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
2015 Chase for the Sprint Cup qualifiers:
Clint Bowyer
Jamie McMurray
Paul Menard
Ryan Newman
Sprint Unlimited winners:
Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Tony Stewart
Daytona 500 pole winners:
Greg Biffle
Austin Dillon
David Gilliland
Danica Patrick
Martin Truex Jr.
2015 Sprint Cup driver points:
Aric Almirola
Kyle Larson
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