Duel #1
Jimmie Johnson had to drop to the back of the pack because his team changed the engine earlier this week. Ryan Newman slid up from his third starting spot to the pole. At the end of lap one the outside line started moving forward and Joe Nemechek lead the first lap in a door-to-door battle with Newman.
Kurt Busch had a mechanical failure during Duel #1 and dropped out of the race. Since Busch did not have car owner points and was not qualified any other way he was forced to rely on the past- Champion's provisional. That guaranteed him the 43rd starting spot in the Daytona 500.
Hendrick Motorsports teammates continued their domination of 2008 Speed Weeks. Jimmie Johnson was in the lead with 13 laps to go. However he dropped out of the lead pack a few laps later and pitted to get himself out of harm's way as the racing heated up. Jimmie Johnson is guaranteed to start on the Daytona 500 pole because he was fastest in qualifying. Today's race was meaningless for him.
Chasing the Checkers
The final restart came with two laps to go. Dale Earnhardt Jr. restarted in the lead. After winning last Saturday night's Budweiser Shootout there was no doubt that Junior had the horses to maintain the lead all the way to the end.
This was Dale Earnhardt Junior's third qualifying race win and his second victory of the 2008 Speed Weeks.
Kenny Wallace and Brian Vickers were the top two non-guaranteed finishers. As a result they successfully raced their way into the 2008 Daytona 500.
Joe Nemechek also locked up a starting spot based on his qualifying speed.
The Top Five
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Reed Sorenson
- Ryan Newman
- Casey Mears
- Carl Edwards
Duel #2
Michael Waltrip started on the pole for Duel #2 and is guaranteed to start on the outside pole for the Daytona 500 based on his qualifying speed. David Reutimann took the lead on the start but NASCAR ruled that he jumped the start and Reutimann had to drive down pit road at pit road speed.
This left Michael Waltrip out front and unchallenged during the early going.
Chasing the Checkers
The final green flag flew with two laps remaining. Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Jeff Gordon restarted in the top three spots. Denny Hamlin put a move on his teammate and took over the top spot. Jeff Gordon was able to get to the top spot but Tony Stewart jumped behind his teammate and pushed Denny Hamlin to the win.
Dale Jarrett and John Andretti raced their way into the Daytona 500. David Reutimann locked up the final qualifying spot based on his speed in qualifying.
Drivers that will not compete in the Daytona 500 include two fan favorites. Boris Said and Kenny Schrader will both have to watch the 50th Daytona 500 from the sidelines.
The Top Five
- Denny Hamlin
- Tony Stewart
- Jeff Gordon
- Kasey Kahne
- Mark Martin
Next up for the NEXTEL Cup stars is the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
