Earnhardt draws pole for Shootout

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. drew the lucky bottle during Friday night’s selection process for Saturday’s Budweiser Shootout. The driver of the No. 88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet will line up on the pole position for the 75-lap exhibition event at Daytona International Speedway.

Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, called upon the audience to help him pick his bottle. At the urging of the fans, Gordon selected the fourth bottle from the end and drew the 12th starting spot.

Mark Martin, driver of the No. 5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, also relied upon the fans and drew the 20th starting spot. But upon drawing the deep starting spot, the NASCAR veteran assured the fans it just meant he'd have to pass more cars on his way to the front.

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, was the first Hendrick Motorsports driver to select one of the bottles, and he drew the 23rd starting spot for Saturday’s race.

The race will be televised Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.