2015 Sprint Unlimited: Who is In and Who is Out?

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Photos - Getty Images

Photos – Getty Images

Updated Monday, February 9th with more changes…

Lineup changes allow deeper 2014 point standing drivers to become eligible.  

Kicking off the 2015 Sprint Cup Series Season, the Sprint Unlimited features an expanded field of drivers based on new eligibility outlined by NASCAR earlier this year. On February 14th the 75-lap, non-points race airs on FOX at 8 pm ET as well as on MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

A minimum of 25 Sprint Cup drivers are eligible for this year’s Sprint Unlimited. In addition to the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers, the field includes 2014 Pole Award winners, former Sprint Unlimited race winners and Daytona 500 pole winners who competed in the series full-time in 2014. The remaining spots go to drivers highest in 2014 Sprint Cup driver championship points, not already eligible.

Brian Vickers is eligible, but will not compete due to health issues, thus allowing his teammate Clint Bowyer – 19th in 2014 point standings – to take his place based on the eligibility rules. Vickers has now been evaluated by his doctor and released by NASCAR to return to competition in March.

Unable to find sponsorship for the No. 47 of AJ Allmendinger, JTG Daugherty’s co- owner Tad Geschickter told Motorsports Talk this week, the late decision from NASCAR to include the 16 Chase drivers in the Sprint Unlimited left his organization with little time to find a sponsor.

 “It was nowhere on our radar until they changed the rules on it,” Geschickter said about competing in the Sprint Unlimited. “If we had won a pole during the season and knew we were in it, I’m sure we would have been well prepared for it. We appreciate being grandfathered in, but, obviously, have to manage our resources to deliver the best year-end points finish we can for our sponsors.”

Taking Allmendinger’s place and next to compete, based on point standings is Paul Menard – 20th in point standings..

The third driver pulling out the event is Brian Scott from Richard Childress Racing, allowing Casey Mears – 21st in point standings – to take his spot in the Sprint Unlimited.

On Monday, February 9th, Front Row Motorsports confirms that David Gilliland is not running in the Sprint Unlimited. Taking his place is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – 22nd in the 2014 point standings.

The 2015 eligible participants include:

  • Kyle Busch (2014 pole winner)
  • Austin Dillon (2014 pole winner)
  • Jeff Gordon (2014 pole winner)
  • David Gilliland (2014 pole winner) – now, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (22nd)
  • Denny Hamlin (2014 pole winner)
  • Kevin Harvick (2014 pole winner)
  • Jimmie Johnson (2014 pole winner)
  • Matt Kenseth (2014 pole winner)
  • Brad Keselowski (2014 pole winner)
  • Kyle Larson (2014 pole winner)
  • Joey Logano (2014 pole winner)
  • Jamie McMurray (2014 pole winner)
  • Brian Scott (2014 pole winner) – now, Casey Mears (21st)
  • Tony Stewart (2014 pole winner)
  • Brian Vickers* (2014 pole winner) – now, Clint Bowyer (19th)
  • Kurt Busch (former Sprint Unlimited winner)
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. (former Sprint Unlimited winner)
  • Carl Edwards (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
  • Danica Patrick (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
  • Greg Biffle (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
  • Martin Truex Jr. (former Daytona 500 pole winner)
  • Ryan Newman (2014 Chase driver)
  • AJ Allmendinger (2014 Chase driver) – now, Paul Menard (20th)
  • Kasey Kahne (2014 Chase driver)
  • Aric Almirola (2014 Chase driver)

At one week before the green flag waves for the Sprint Unlimited, the anticipation for the first race of the Sprint Cup Series season continues to build momentum toward the Great American Race – The Daytona 500 – broadcast on FOX at 1 pm ET on February 22, from Daytona International Speedway.