Budweiser Shootout "News" and Notes

The race has gone through numerous name changes over the years, from the "Busch Clash" to the "Bud Shootout" to its current name. Experts predict that by next year, it will officially be known as "Glorified Test Session".

Kasey Kahne is running a Ragu paint scheme. Insert Eddie Mekka joke here.

Terry Labonte and Rusty Wallace are skipping this year's race, while Bill Elliott DOES run in the part-time 36 team. Boy, when you get into the salted cured meat business, a race at Daytona is like a walk in the park.

Kyle Busch was at the center of a small controversy when he was invited to the Shootout, despite being under the legal drinking age of 21. Thankfully, Jimmie Johnson was able to sneak him in a fake sponsorship decal, and all Kyle needs to give him is gas money and a deal on a new fuel pump.

Petty Enterprises' teams have long been barred from the Shootout for their refusal to run beer sopnsorship of any kind on their cars. Well, that, and being terrible at qualifying.

ODDS:
3:2 Benny Parsons will comment that "this race isn't for points--they're ALL goin' for the win tonight."

10:1 Geoff Bodine will be thrown off the track for trying to enter the race in a bobsled.

100:1 The results of the race will have ANY impact on the rest of the season.