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NASCAR 2012 Bud Shootout Picks & Predictions    
By Anthony Rome

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (The Spread) - The 2012 NASCAR season kicks off Saturday night with the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

With an all-time high of 25 drivers entered in tonight’s race, this event promises to be one of the most exciting Shootouts in years.

The Budweiser Shootout at Daytona has featured 19 different winners. Among active drivers, reigning champion Tony Stewart has the most wins in the event with three. Stewart scored back-to-back Budweiser Shootout victories 2001 and 2002, and visited Victory Lane again in 2007. Kurt Busch is the most recent winner of the Budweiser Shootout, while Budweiser driver Kevin Harvick has two wins in the annual season-opener with his back-to-back victories in 2009 and 2010.

NASCAR made a few changes over the short offseason to try and break up the two-by-two racing that we saw here and at Talladega. But after the preseason testing here in January, it looks like it did little to breakup the dual car racing like they hoped it would.

While everyone is glad to have NASCAR back, this isn't the race where you want to bet too much since it's not a points race. You’ll see drivers taking more chances or testing out their cars for next week’s Duels, so don't go overboard on a race that can be very unpredictable.

Jamie McMurray 18/1

After a dismal 2011 season, look for McMurray to want to get out to a fast start. In the 2010 Bud Shootout he finished third and then came back a year ago and placed second, so he should have the right car for this race. McMurray has always been considered one of the better plate racers and we look for him to pick up another plate race win on Saturday night.

Clint Bowyer 25/1

Bowyer has shown over the years that he has a real talent when it comes to racing here and at Talladega, where he came away with one victory and nearly came away with another on a separate date. Bowyer was very fast back in January and with the change of teams we think he might finally show people why he was once thought to be one of the top new drivers at RCR.

2012 Budweiser Shootout Information

Race Date: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012

Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida

Pre-Race: 7PM ET

Green Flag: Approx. 8:29PM ET

TV Coverage: FOX

Radio Coverage: MRN

Track Type: Oval (75 laps)