NASCAR returns to the track on Saturday with the Bud Shootout, the first race in Daytona's Speedweeks, culminating with the Daytona 500 next Saturday. The shootout is made up of a wide variety of drivers, with eligibility limited to: those that participate in the 2010 Chase, won a Sprint Cup title, won a previous Bud Shootout, won any points at Daytona or secure Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors. Put it all together and you've got 24 drivers, all assembled for a 75-lap shootout on Friday night.
Among the drivers involved is Enumclaw's Kasey Kahne, a Sprint Cup driver in the #4 Red Bull Toyota Camry. In 2011, Kahne's looking for a fresh start following offseason knee surgery and a change of scenery. After his partnership with Richard Petty Motorsports ended in 2010, he joined the Red Bull team as a stop-gap ahead of hooking up with Hendrick Motorsports in 2012. On Saturday, Kahne will start fifth in the Bud Shootout, driving that Red Bull Camry.
The full starting grid for the Bud Shootout was determined in a unique way -- not with the typical qualifying speeds you see at NASCAR races. Instead, drivers took to the stage on Friday night and drew Budwesier bottles, each of which had a starting position inside it. Dale Earnhardt Jr. drew the pole bottle, to the delight of nearby fans watching the show. The full lineup for the race can be found here.
For more on the race, including everything you'll ever need to know about Daytona and the shootout, check out SB Nation's StoryStream.