The field for the 27th annual Budweiser Shootout under the lights on Saturday night, Feb. 12 at historic Daytona International Speedway will be large and strong.

The field for the non-points NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star race that features previous season's pole winners and past Budweiser Shootout champions could feature as many as 20 drivers, two shy of the record 22 that competed in the 2002 edition of the Budweiser Shootout.

Drivers that have won pole positions during the 2004 season and qualified for the Budweiser Shootout include 2004 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, Joe Nemechek, Greg Biffle, Kasey Kahne, Brian Vickers, Casey Mears, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Bobby Labonte, Ricky Rudd, Jimmie Johnson and Jeremy Mayfield. Past Budweiser Shootout champions eligible are 2004 Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Dale Jarrett, Mark Martin, Rusty Wallace, Ken Schrader, Bill Elliott and Terry Labonte.

Earnhardt Jr., the winner of the 2003 Budweiser Shootout and the runner-up finisher to Dale Jarrett in 2004, likes being able to hit the high banks of "The World Center of Racing" right away during Speedweeks.

"What's cool about the Shootout is that you get to start drafting immediately," Earnhardt Jr. said. "Most of what we do all through the month of January is run by ourselves (testing). You're ready to race somebody. You get some racing in your system before we start qualifying runs and practicing for the Daytona 500. I think everybody looks forward to. It's a pretty good introduction into what to look forward to as far as the handling package."

Gordon, winner of the Budweiser Shootout in 1994 and 1997, says the Budweiser Shootout serves as a tune-up for the rest of Speedweeks 2005. It also doesn't carry the pressure of the Gatorade Duel at Daytona or the Daytona 500.

"I like the whole aspect of it - working with your spotter, your crew chief, your team, and everything," said Gordon, the 2004 Pepsi 400 winner. "It's a great race. It's also a tool for us for the rest of the week. There is a lot more pressure in the qualifying races) because your starting position in the Daytona 500 counts on it, and you don't want to tear anything up. In the Shootout, you can go for broke and it doesn't really matters other than the win. In the (qualifying races) there is a lot more at stake."

Helping kick off the electric atmosphere of the Budweiser Shootout will be Republic/Universal recording group 3 Doors Down, one of America's most popular rock and rolls bands. 3 Doors Down, whose new album Seventeen Days hits stores Feb. 8, will perform their new single "Let Me Go" and then lead singer Brad Arnold will sing the National Anthem. Following the conclusion of the no-holds barred race, 3 Doors Down will then kick off their world tour with a post-race concert, which will be included in the race admission.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series will once again serve as the prelude to the Budweiser Shootout with the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200. The ARCA RE/MAX Series is a proving ground for future NASCAR stars and past winners of the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 at Daytona include Chase Montgomery, Ryan Newman, Kenny Irwin, Mike Wallace, Kyle Petty, Joe Ruttman, Benny Parsons and Tim Richmond.

Kyle Busch, wheeling the No. 87 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, came from a lap down to win the 2004 Advance Discount Auto Parts 200. The 2005 edition of the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 will boast another competitive field with drivers such as Richard Childress Racing's Clint Bowyer, two-time race winner Bobby Gerhart, and six-time ARCA RE/MAX Series champion Frank Kimmel.

Tickets for Speedweeks 2005 and the Budweiser Shootout are available online at http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.