Ryan Newman should have been in Bud Shootout
It is an absolute shame that defending Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman was not able to participate in last night's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.
NASCAR's rule changes to the Bud Shootout format should include the winner of the previous year's Daytona 500. No questions asked.
At first when I heard Newman's complaints regarding not being in the Shootout, I thought that he was just whining. But on second thought, Newman won the most prestigious race in all of NASCAR - the Daytona 500 - and that accomplishment in itself should be enough reason for him to compete in the Shootout.
If NASCAR is going to continue to exclude pole winners from competing in the Shootout, the least it could do is have a heat race involving the pole winners from the previous year. The winner of that race would then advance to the Shootout. Fans would love it and it would create an extra incentive for them to purchase tickets.
It's just ridiculous that NASCAR has eliminated the importance of winning the pole and something needs to be done about it right away, but don't hold your breath. I certainly won't.
