Rookie Hamlin Wins Shootout in First Attempt
Rookie Denny Hamlin won the rain-delayed Budweiser Shootout on Sunday, taking the lead from teammate Tony Stewart on the white-flag lap of the green-white-checkered finish. Hamlin became the fourth driver to win the Budweiser Shootout in his first appearance. The race, a non-points event, featured 21 drivers who either won a Bud Pole in the 2005 season or had a previous Shootout win on their résumé. The pole-sitter Ken Schrader was strong early, leading 18 of the 20 laps in the first segment. In the final 50-lap dash, it was the rookie Hamlin who led the most laps, pacing the field three times for a total of 16 laps. Hamlin made the last-lap pass of his teammate and outran Dale Earnhardt to the checkered flag by 0.154 seconds. Hamlin’s winning average speed was 153.627 mph in the event that lasted 1 hour, 10 minutes and 18 seconds. The Shootout featured three caution flags for a total of 13 laps and 16 lead changes among 12 drivers.
Schrader Draws Pole for Saturday Night's Budweiser Shootout
Ken Schrader will lead a field of 21 drivers to the green flag in the 28th running of the Budweiser Shootout this Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway (8 p.m. ET on TNT). Schrader was one of two drivers remaining to draw his respective starting position Thursday night at the Budweiser Shootout Qualifying Draw Party when he pulled the No. 1 spot.
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