The Sprint Unlimited at Daytona will have a new format in place for 2015.

The exhibition event which signifies the unofficial start of the NASCAR season will now feature two segments -- a 25-lap opener and a 50-lap finale separated by a competition caution.

Also new to 2015 is the system where select fans will be paired with participating crew chiefs for a random draw that will determine both starting positions and spots down pit road.


The drawing will take place on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Florida Department of Transportation Main Stage inside the Sprint FANZONE, starting at 3:30 p.m.

"Anticipation for the start of the NASCAR season is at an all-time high among fans and drivers," NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said in a series press release. "Fans have a unique opportunity to participate in key elements of the event, making this year’s Sprint Unlimited even more exciting."

READ MORE: Start Times, TV schedule for Daytona Speedweeks

The former Bud Shootout, now in its 36th season, will be televised live on FOX, with radio broadcasts on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio with the green flag slated for approximately 8:15 p.m. ET.

As previously announced, all 16 Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers from last year, pole winners from last season, and previous Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2014 will make up the field.

In order to maintain a 25-car grid, NASCAR will also allow certain teams entry based on their final position in the 2014 championship standings.

For example, Clint Bowyer will compete following the withdrawal of AJ Allmendinger, whose JTG Daughtery team chose not to participate.

Richard Childress Racing driver Paul Menard will also participate, taking the spot held for Brian Vickers who withdrew following the announcement that he will not return to the Sprint Cup Series until early March following off-season heart surgery.

RCR also confirmed that part-time driver Brian Scott will not compete, vacating his spot to Casey Mears. Scott won the pole at Talladega in the fall to qualify him for the Sprint Unlimited.

Should anyone else vacate their reserved spot on the gird over the next week, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be the next provisional driver eligible to participate.

Follow Michael Guzman on Twitter @mike486.