Budweiser Pole Award
Encyclopedia
The Budweiser Pole Award (also known as the Bud Pole Award, and previously the Busch Pole Award) was an award given to the fastest qualifier
in each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (formerly Winston Cup) points paying race. Each driver who won a Budweiser Pole Award in the previous season was entered in the Budweiser Shootout
at Daytona International Speedway
a week before the season-opening Daytona 500
. The Budweiser Pole Award was not given at events where Budweiser Pole Qualifying was rained out and the line-up was determined by owner's points. The Budweiser Pole Award was replaced by the Coors Light Pole Award in 2008 when Coors
replaced Budweiser
as the official beer
of NASCAR.
, the car must have been affixed with the designated Anheuser-Busch decal. Affixing the decal to the car was optional, and was not specifically required on the respective the entry blank for the race. (As a comparison, note that during the Winston Cup era, R.J. Reynolds decals were required by rules).
If a car did not have the decal affixed, the car/driver were still scored as the fastest qualifier, and lines up on race day in position 1. However, the pole award trophy, cash prize, and Shootout berth were withheld and the pole award was not recognized. The next-fastest driver (provided they carry the decal) defaults as the 'unofficial' Budweiser Pole Award winner, but did not receive the Shoutout berth.
The decal issue was seldom an issue except for drivers under the age of 21, in which case, drivers under 21 may have carried a generic "Anheuser-Busch Pole Award" decal. Petty Enterprises
, who traditionally refused to allow alcohol sponsorship on their cars, also did not carry Budweiser Pole Award decals on their cars.
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
in each NASCAR NEXTEL Cup (formerly Winston Cup) points paying race. Each driver who won a Budweiser Pole Award in the previous season was entered in the Budweiser Shootout
Budweiser Shootout
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, generally referred to as the Bud Shootout, 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...
at Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
a week before the season-opening Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
. The Budweiser Pole Award was not given at events where Budweiser Pole Qualifying was rained out and the line-up was determined by owner's points. The Budweiser Pole Award was replaced by the Coors Light Pole Award in 2008 when Coors
Coors Brewing Company
The Coors Brewing Company is a regional division of the world's fifth-largest brewing company, the Canadian Molson Coors Brewing Company and is the third-largest brewer in the United States...
replaced Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
as the official beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
of NASCAR.
Decal
In order to fully be eligible for the Budweiser Pole Award and receive the berth into the Budweiser ShootoutBudweiser Shootout
Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, generally referred to as the Bud Shootout, 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...
, the car must have been affixed with the designated Anheuser-Busch decal. Affixing the decal to the car was optional, and was not specifically required on the respective the entry blank for the race. (As a comparison, note that during the Winston Cup era, R.J. Reynolds decals were required by rules).
If a car did not have the decal affixed, the car/driver were still scored as the fastest qualifier, and lines up on race day in position 1. However, the pole award trophy, cash prize, and Shootout berth were withheld and the pole award was not recognized. The next-fastest driver (provided they carry the decal) defaults as the 'unofficial' Budweiser Pole Award winner, but did not receive the Shoutout berth.
The decal issue was seldom an issue except for drivers under the age of 21, in which case, drivers under 21 may have carried a generic "Anheuser-Busch Pole Award" decal. Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...
, who traditionally refused to allow alcohol sponsorship on their cars, also did not carry Budweiser Pole Award decals on their cars.