Setting the lineup for the Daytona 500:
The Gatorade Duel at Daytona is a set of two 150-mile races that set the final starting lineup for the Daytona 500. With all of the big names guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500 don't look for too much excitement up front during these two traditional Thursday races.
Tickets:
Speedway ticket office 1-800-PITSHOP or (386) 253-7223
Buy online from TicketsNow (direct link)
The Track:
The fast 2.5 mile tri-oval uses restrictor plates to keep the speeds managable but those plates create fertile ground for The Big One. The plates cause aerodynamics to be more important than horsepower which results in big packs of cars running nose to tail and door to door all day long.
Race Distance:
Two 60 Lap = 150 Mile Races
The Big Picture:
There are no points on the line here. The only thing that is decided is the starting linup for the Daytona 500.
The Big Story:
Most of the attention will be on the 23 drivers that are not guaranteed a starting spot in the 2006 Daytona 500. 35 teams are guaranteed and 58 teams are at the track.
The rules state that two drivers will race their way into the Daytona 500 from each of the qualifiers (the rest are filled by speed). The four drivers that race their way in from outside the top 35 in points will be the big story on Thursday.
Media Coverage:
TV: TNT Thursday, February 16th, 2:00PM Eastern.
Radio: MRN and XM Satellite
Actual Race: 2:10 p.m. Eastern
Predictions:
For the most part these two races are irrelevant anymore. Since NASCAR guarantees starting spots for the top 35 car owners only two drivers from each race make the field through the race.
This takes all the pressure off of the lead pack of cars who then are simply using this as another test session.
I predict that there will be very little excitement during these races as the top drivers' main concern is to just bring the car home in one piece so that they can re-use it on Sunday when it counts.
