The Shootout Will Miss NASCAR’s Top Stars

The Shootout is going back to the way things use to be come February at Daytona and two of NASCAR’s biggest names will not be there.

In 2013, drivers eligible for the Shootout include pole winners from the 2012 season and past Shootout winners.

Brad Keselowski celebrates the 2012 championship. (John Harrelson/Getty Images)

Two of the sport’s biggest drivers didn’t make that list. Those drivers include last year’s Sprint Cup champion, Brad Keselowski, and Clint Bowyer. Two of the sports most refreshing and outspoken drivers will be no where to be found on the race track when NASCAR hits the track that Saturday night. Neither driver grabbed a pole in 2012 or has won the Shootout in the past.

There are a total of twenty-two drivers eligible for the 2013 Shootout, scheduled for February 18th.

Driver’s eligible for the 2013 Shootout at Daytona:

1) Mark Martin (4 poles)
2) Kasey Kahne (4)
3) Jimmie Johnson (4)
4) Greg Biffle (3)
5) Denny Hamlin (3)
6) Joey Logano (2)
7) Aric Almirola (2)
8) Juan Pablo Montoya (2)
9) Jeff Gordon (2)
10) Carl Edwards
11) Martin Truex Jr.
12) A.J. Allmendinger
13) Marcos Ambrose
14) Matt Kenseth
15) Kyle Busch (2)
16) Tony Stewart
17) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Past Shootout champions (no 2012 pole):
18) Kurt Busch
19) Kevin Harvick
20) Bill Elliott
21) Terry Labonte
22) Ken Schrader

Via Sporting News