Martin draws pole for Bud Shootout
Associated Press
Lineup
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Good luck is all Mark Martin needed to earn the pole position for the Bud Shootout. A veteran of these mad dashes for cash, Martin figures that might be all he'll need to win the race, too.
Martin won a blind draw Thursday to take the pole position for Sunday's 25-lap race between last year's Winston Cup pole winners.
Mark Martin will start out front Sunday in defense of his Bud Shootout title.
He started the Bud Shootout from the pole two years ago after a similar drawing, only to finish eighth. Last year, he started from the back of the field and won the race, a non-points event that marks the kickoff to the NASCAR season.
"I'd love to tell you I was real good last year, real skillful in everything I did," Martin said. "But the truth is, I was lucky. It's not a big strategy race, not a big driver-skill race or anything else. It has everything to do with the way Winston Cup kicks off its schedule and treats its fans."
Still, there is something on the line for Martin, who will sit behind the wheel of his Ford Taurus for only the second time since offseason back surgery.
The 1999 season was a year of pain for the veteran, who continued driving despite breaking a wrist and knee in a crash last July during a practice session at Daytona. Those injuries came on top of the herniated discs that have plagued him for years.
"I'm willing to give everything I have, just like I always did before," Martin said. "It's hard to speculate at this point. I know I'm in a whole lot better condition to drive a race car now than I was a year ago."
There are six Chevrolets in the field and, like Martin, those drivers might need this race more than most.
A significant design change in the Monte Carlos has left the Chevy drivers unsure of exactly what they are driving for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20.
"There were a lot of changes," said Jeff Gordon, the most successful Chevrolet driver the past five years. "There are a lot of people who are eager to get some time on the cars."
Gordon will start in the sixth position.
Ford also made some minor changes to the Tauruses, although the changes in the Monte Carlos have caused more of a stir.
Gordon not only has a new chassis, but a new crew chief and revamped pit crew to work with as he prepares the run for his fourth series championship in six years.
"We might not come out of the box as fast as it would normally be," Gordon said. "But it's going to come together."
He figures it's just a matter of time, which is at a premium in the Bud Shootout. Under rules adopted last season, the shootout is a 25-lap race with a mandatory two-tire pit stop somewhere between laps 10-12.
Starting next to Martin will be Sterling Marlin. Last year's top rookie, Tony Stewart, shares the second row with Ward Burton. Mike Skinner will start next to Gordon.
The 15th and final spot will go to the winner of a qualifying race. Participants in that race are last year's top second-day qualifiers, including Winston Cup defending champion Dale Jarrett.
Missing from both fields is Dale Earnhardt, who has won six Bud Shootouts, but didn't post any top qualifying efforts last year.
