DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Ticker) -- Defending champion Mark Martin today drew the pole position for Sunday's Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway.

Returning to the No. 6 Valvoline/Cummins Ford following offseason back surgery, Martin picked the top position in a draw involving the pole winners of last year's NASCAR Winston Cup events.

Martin is particapting in his first race since he had a lumber fusion done on November 22, the day after the NASCAR season ended. The procedure helped alleviate the pain he had experienced in his back for years.

Martin suffered from a condition known as spondylolisthesis in which part of the bone in the back is broken and creates instability. That puts pressure on the nerves which causes pain.

"It's sort of fitting, and I feel like a new man," Martin said. "We had a really good car last year. It wasn't spectacular, but every move I made on the race track was the right one."

The 25-lap Bud Shootout features the Bud Pole award winners from 1999 and the winner of Sunday morning's Bud Pole Shootout qualifier.

Sterling Marline will start on the outside pole next to Martin. Completing the field is Tony Stewart, Ward Burton, Mike Skinner, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, David Green, Ricky Rudd, Ken Schrader, Kevin Lapage, Joe Nemechek, Kenny Irwin and Rusty Wallace.

Rickey Craven will sit on the pole for the 25-lap qualifying race.

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