Sprint Unlimited
The Sprint Unlimited is an annual invitation-only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series exhibition event held at Daytona International Speedway in February, the weekend before the Daytona 500. It is the first competitive event of the season and serves as a kickoff event for the NASCAR portion of Speedweeks.
The event was originally known as the Busch Clash, and consisted of a 20-lap/50-mile, "all-out sprint" for the previous season's pole position winners (considered the de facto "fastest drivers on the circuit"). In its current format, it is made up of three segments, culminating in a 20-lap sprint to the finish. Like the All-Star Race held at Charlotte, the race awards no championship points but instead offers a large cash purse – circumstances which are supposed to encourage an all-out driving style not seen in regular-season races.
As of 2015, the field consists of the 25 drivers who were a part of the Chase the previous season, as well as pole winners from the previous season, former Daytona 500 pole winners, former Sprint Unlimited winners, and the Chase contenders. The starting lineup is determined by random draw, not by time trials as all other races are determined.
