Bud Shootout Features New Wrinkles as NASCAR season opens
The 2011 Bud Shootout is fast approaching this weekend and the NASCAR lid lifter will be our first glimpse at NASCAR Sprint Cup cars in competition on the new asphalt at Daytona International Speedway. Kevin Harvick is the defending Bud Shootout winner from last year and this year he will have Bud on his hood when he takes the green flag.
Harvick is favored to win again this year at 15/2 odds at online sportsbooks. Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are both right behind at 8/1 odds.
Harvick is an unquestioned favorite in this year’s Bud Shootout but there are several drivers to consider aside from Harvick. Tony Stewart and Kyle Busch must be considered as two drivers that can win in their first competitive race of their 2011 season.
The Bud Shootout is treated differently by some drivers. It isn’t as coveted an exhibition win as the Sprint All-Star race in May and many drivers use the race to shake down their car and experiment with drafting strategies in the first half of the race.
With the new asphalt being adjusted to in this first race at speed, many drivers will practice their two car breakaways early in this race and see how their car handles in three wide traffic. The notebooks will get filled up during the Bud Shootout.
Looking for a long shot to win the Bud Shootout? Consider Kasey Kahne who is now driving for the Red Bull Racing team. Kahne is the longest shot on the board to win the Bud Shootout according to Las Vegas. Kahne will be without teammate Brian Vickers in this race but cannot be counted out.
