Gatorade Duels Finalize 2007 Daytona 500 Starting Lineup

The Daytona 500 has a unique qualifying process where the majority of the starting positions are determined by a pair of 150-mile qualifying races called the Gatorade Duels. With 35 drivers guaranteed a starting position based on their 2006 car owner points that leaves only two cars per race to race their way in and 9 cars per race battling for those two spots.

The 2007 Gatorade Duels were exciting as the battle to qualify for the race came right down to the wire in both Duels. Daytona dreams were made and crushed by just inches as a few drivers made the race while many more will go home disappointed.

The First Gatorade Duel

After a controversial week Michael Waltrip just wanted to race his way into the Daytona 500 quietly. It didn't work out that way as Michael made a mistake that won't win him any more fans. While racing with the leaders Waltrip tried to jam it into a drafting hole that clearly wasn't there and wrecked the most popular driver in NASCAR Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Both drivers were able to rebound as Michael Waltrip was able to race his way into the race and Dale Earnhardt Jr. was able to rebound and finish second.

The other driver that raced his way into the 2007 Daytona 500 from the first Gatorade Duel is Boris Said. While the battle for the lead wasn't that interesting the battle to just qualify for the race was thrilling as Mike Bliss was eclipsed at the line by just a fender.

At the front of the pack Tony Stewart, David Gilliland, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton were all fast during this race. It was Tony Stewart who was out front at the end to take his second win of this 2007 Daytona Speedweeks.

Top Five Duel #1

1. Tony Stewart
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Jeff Burton
4. David Gilliland
5. Denny Hamlin

The Second Gatorade Duel

The second Gatorade Duel was much more laid back as drivers were more content to ride out the early part of the 60 lap race. Juan Pablo Montoya was fast early but he had a mechanical failure that dropped him out of the race. Other drivers that were fast include Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and Ricky Rudd.

Again there was truly great racing back in the pack to qualify for the Daytona 500. Joe Nemechek and Mike Wallace raced their way into the Daytona 500 as he nipped Sterling Marlin by .03 seconds to make the race. Sterling will make the race anyway as he had one of the fastest qualifying times. It is Jeremy Mayfield who's Daytona dreams were dashed as Mike Wallace's pass on Marlin bumped Mayfield from the 2007 Daytona 500 field.

At the front of the pack Jeff Gordon got a big push from David Stremme and jumped from third to first on the final lap to win the second Gatorade Duel.

Top Five Duel #2

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Kurt Busch
3. David Stremme
4. Kyle Busch
5. Matt Kenseth

NASCAR announced Thursday evening that Jeff Gordon's car failed post-race inspection. NASCAR found his car to be too low so Jeff Gordon will start the Daytona 500 in 42nd.

Nothing Left But The Racing

Now the field is set for the 2007 Daytona 500. The highlights from this qualifying process include:

• David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd will start on the front row in their Robert Yates Fords
• After a controversial week Michael Waltrip raced his way in
• Four Toyota's qualified for the Daytona 500 including all three Michael Waltrip Racing Camrys
• Complete Daytona 500 starting lineup
• Dale Jarrett takes the Champion's Provisional will start 43rd.
• Jeff Gordon fails post-Gatorade Duel inspection and will start 42nd.