What do you think of the change to the Bud shoot-out?

I absolutely agree. I guess im old school but I used to watch qualifying and say "that's another driver in the shootout". Now we know how many people will be in it. Give the pole-sitters some credit.

The Shoot-out is still fun to watch. Most of the drivers that are past winners or pole winners will probably be in the race still. But it does suck for the ones that won a pole and couldn't race the shoot-out. I guess they just want the manufacturers to have a even chance of winning. Who knows what Nascar will do next! They NEED to quit changing everything and just let them race the way they use to.

I'm not opposed to rule changes, so long as the transition to a new format makes sense. The format change is being driven by Budweiser, because Coors is sponsoring the poles this year. All of last year's Bud pole sitters, and previous Shootout winners that didn't make the show got robbed, and the drivers that made the show that wouldn't have, shouldn't have, this year.

I think they should have held off to make the format change next year. Last year's Bud pole winners were exactly that, BUD pole winners. This year's pole winners will be Coors.

All that aside, the race was a pretty good one.

First of all, you asked why NASCAR would do this (or anything, for that matter). Simple. The same two reasons for everything they do; 1) To continue to grow the show so they may, 2) make more money.

When I first heard the changes they were making, I - ole Old School Me - sort of asked the same questions. I started out somewhat negative on the whole deal. However, I thought it was a great race - with the exceptions that 1) the cheapskates at NASCAR and ISC have such a rotten dangerously bumpy track and 2) the wrecks that took out over half the field.

Truth is, there have been many times in the 33 years I've been watching that race, that I felt the field was too small; particularly those times when the 12 or 15 cars racing started to spread out. Boring.

Because of my history, I tend to be somewhat critical of NASCAR, but this time, I guess I'll cast my vote in favor of the changes.

At first I didn't like it. Guess I was used to Pole winners being in it. But honestly the way it is no after the change is basically the way it was designed to be a manufacturer race. Plus just because you can win a pole now a days doesn't mean that much. Anyone can have two good laps. But being rewarded for being a top preformer from previous year sort of make more sense. Just didn't like how they changed the rules mid season. on them last year.

Those pathetic changes to the Bud Shoot-out were the last straw for me. NASCAR has made so many ridiculous changes over the years, and now winning a pole doesn't even mean anything. I hardly watch any of the races any more, and I'd been following this sport since 1989.

Well, I'd say don't watch then. I loved the change. The more cars the merrier as far as I'm concerned. I never like the old system of only pole winners getting in. There was always some obviously great drivers not getting in. You win 4 races and no poles and you're not invited??! Thats just stupid.

they wanted the manufacturer's to have something of their own since the new cars all look the same. But I have to say, that was the best Shootout in a long time, so I like the new rule. At the same time, NASCAR should make another preseason race for the pole winners.

Well, I see your point, but I still thought the race saturday night was GREAT! There was lots of 2, 3 and even 4 wide racing, drivers were able to pass and work their way through the field unlike some of the plate races last season, and it had a very dramatic finish.

I like the rule changes because it puts more drivers in the race, which I think makes it more exciting. I would much rather watch a pack of 28 cars racing around at Daytona than 10 or 15. Thats mainly what the shootout is about anyways, entertainment.

But If it bothers you that much you don't have to watch it you know....

It's a manufacturers' showcase race now. There were too many cars in the field. Heck, that was almost a full field--just 15 short! I like the old format much better. I believe if something isn't broken, you don't fix it. The new format doesn't reward the pole winners. I guess they'll change the All-Star race too.