#48-Jimmie Johnson won the Coors Light Pole Award for the Daytona 500 with a lap of 187.075mph for his 2nd career Daytona 500 pole and 14th pole of his career. #55-Michael Waltrip was 2nd fastest and has a set strating spot for the race. All other starting positions will be determined following the Gatorade 150 qualifying races. The rest of the top five for qualifying was #78-Joe Nemechek, #00-David Reutimann and #22-Dave Blaney. Nemechek, Reutimann and Waltrip are thee three go-or-go-homers [not in the top-35 of end of season owners points] who are guaranteed of making the race. Three other can get in via speed if the other three race their way in on Thursday: #60-Boris Said; #10-Patrick Carpentier, #83-Brian Vickers and #27-Jacques Villenueve. #2-Kurt Busch was not fast enough to get in the race, but could race in via the Duels [4 spots, 2 each, get in via the Duels], but Busch can use the past champions provisional [and start 43rd]. If Busch races his way in, the #44-Jarrett could use it and if Jarrett races in, the #21-Bill Elliottt could use it. If none of the three drivers need it, the the next fastest driver not already in, would get in the race. So it is the top 2 are in, followed by spots 3-40 [34 from the top 35 and 4 from the Duels], the spots 41 and 42 from the next fastest drivers/cars, then then the most recent past hampion in 43rd…if needed. If not needed, then the fastest driver not already in, would get the spot. See the qualifying speeds on my Daytona 500 Qualifying Page.(2-10-2008)
