As engines fired at Daytona International Speedway for two Budweiser Shootout practice sessions signaling the end of the off-season, hardcore race fans were in for more than the average practice.

The first session was cut very short by a multi-car pileup occurred only 20 minutes in. Denny Hamlin and Mark Martin collided before collecting Jamie McMurray, Greg Biffle and Clint Bowyer who was practicing the No. 29 for Kevin Harvick who is at home with the flu.

 Hamlin, a favorite for this year by many hardcore race fans, was on the track despite his torn ACL which he plans to race with all year long.

As backup cars were unloaded, the second one hour practice began and three minutes in Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya made contact sending Busch into the wall and forced him to pull out his backup as well.

Jeff Burton topped the first session with a speed of 193.303mph and a time of 46.559 seconds. McMurray had the second fastest lap and Kyle Busch ended up third.

In the second practice, Kasey Kahne was fastest with a time of 46.955 seconds at 191.673mph. Ken Schrader and Matt Kenseth ended the session in second and third, respectively.

 MORE NASCAR NEWS