The Gang's All There

The list of eligible drivers for the 2012 Budweiser Shootout was released today. Among those not on it were...well, I can't really think of any. Jimmy Means, H.B. Bailey, David Pearson, "Mad Marion" McDonald and Jocko Flocko didn't make it, but they're about the only ones who didn't.

I kid, I kid.

The top 25 in points from 2011 got the call, as did anyone who has ever turned a lap at Daytona in any kind of car...wait, I mean anyone who has won a NASCAR event at Daytona since 1959...er, over the past several years...

Aw, I'll just print the list. You'll see what I mean.

2011 Top 25 Driver Points

Tony Stewart

Carl Edwards

Kevin Harvick

Matt Kenseth

Brad Keselowski

Jimmie Johnson

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Jeff Gordon

Denny Hamlin

Ryan Newman

Kurt Busch

Kyle Busch

Clint Bowyer

Kasey Kahne

A.J. Allmendinger

Greg Biffle

Paul Menard

Martin Truex Jr.

Marcos Ambrose

Jeff Burton

Juan Pablo Montoya

Mark Martin

David Ragan

Joey Logano

Brian Vickers

Others (criteria in parentheses)

Bill Elliott (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400, Budweiser Shootout)

Geoff Bodine (Daytona 500, Budweiser Shootout)

Derrike Cope (Daytona 500)

Michael Waltrip (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400)

Jamie McMurray (Daytona 500, Coke Zero 400)

Trevor Bayne (Daytona 500)

Terry Labonte (Budweiser Shootout)

Ken Schrader (Budweiser Shootout)

I really would have liked to have seen Harry Gant race one more time. Maybe we can scare up a ride for him?