#31-Jeff Burton in the #31 Cingular Chevy, won the pole for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway with a speed of 189.151mph. The pole is Burton’s first since Richmond in Sept. 2000, 190 races ago and only the third of his career. #24-Jeff Gordon went out late and scored the outside pole with a lap of 188.877. The two Jeff’s are the only drivers locked in starting spots for the 500. The rest will gain their starting spot via the Gatorade Duels on Thursday [will cover here online live]. The rest of the top five are #88-Dale Jarrett, #38-Elliott Sadler and #48-Jimmie Johnson [later disallowed]. The best Dodge was #43-Bobby Labonte, who was 6th fastest. All the drivers who are in the top-35 of 2005 final owners points are in the race. Four drivers who are not locked in the top-35 have secured a spot in the race: #36-Bill Elliott, #32-Travis Kvapil, #00-Hermie Sadler and #96-Terry Labonte. #8-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was 39th fastest. #17-Matt Kenseth lost a tire just as he took the green flag and was the only driver not to record a speed. No wrecks or major incidents. See the qualifying results on my Jayski’s Daytona 500 Qualifying/Grid Page.(2-12-2006)
