Season opener format altered

Two years ago the Budweiser Shootout all-star race was open to pole winners from the previous year and former shootout winners. A year ago it was open to the top-five ranked drivers from the four manufacturers.

The race that opens the Sprint Cup Series season Feb. 6 at Daytona International Raceway will get its third overhaul in as many years by expanding eligibility to include drivers from last year's Chase for the Championship, series champions, the defending rookie of the year winner and former winners at Daytona.

Instead of 20 drivers in the non-points race, there now are 28 eligible drivers.

Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Labonte, John Andretti, Derrike Cope and Matt Kenseth all gained a spot in the field as former series champions or Daytona winners.

Others in the race include: Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Juan Pablo Montoya, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bill Elliott, Joey Logano, Kevin Harvick, Geoff Bodine, Terry Labonte and Ken Schrader .

Notable drivers Clint Bowyer, David Reutimann, Marcos Ambrose, Casey Mears and Martin Truex Jr. aren't in the field.

"We're always looking at ways to make this event bigger and better for our fans as we believe the new format for the Budweiser Shootout puts together an exceptionally strong lineup of our top drivers," said NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton .

The Shootout is one of three events at Daytona on Feb. 6. The day starts with pole qualifying for the Daytona 500, followed by the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 for the ARCA Racing Series, which will be IndyCar driver Danica Patrick 's stock car debut.

SCHEDULE ADDITION: The demise of the Milwaukee Mile forced NASCAR to add Road America to the schedule for 2010.

The 4.048-mile, 14-turn course will take over Milwaukee's June 19 racing date. The Nationwide Series also competes at Watkins Glen International and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

Milwaukee was dropped from the Nationwide and Camping World Truck schedules after the track couldn't find a promoter. NASCAR and the Indy Car Series both are owed millions by the old track promoters.

Reach Don Coble at don.coble@morris.com.