Daytona 500

[DownNDirty]

I forgot that NASCAR changed the rule of how the 150's are setup. Besides the guys who qualify 1st and 2nd and the guys not in the top 35 in owners points we know WHO will be in each 150 already. Of course, the odd/even point finishes won't matter for 1st and 2nd in the Duels - but everyone else will fall into place. So, we can at least get an idea right now of who's in each race:

Duel #1

Jimmie Johnson
Denny Hamlin
Dale Earnhardt Jr
Jeff Burton
David Ragan
Tony Stewart
Greg Biffle
Casey Mears
Clint Bowyer
Martin Truex
Bobby Labonte
Reed Sorenson
David Gilliland
Dave Blaney
Jeff Green
Robby Gordon
Ken Schrader
Kyle Petty

Duel #2

Matt Kenseth
Kevin Harvick
Jeff Gordon
Kasey Kahne
Kyle Busch
Carl Edwards
Juan Pablo Montoya
Kurt Busch
Ryan Newman
Scott Riggs
Ricky Rudd
Jamie McMurray
Tony Raines
Mark Martin
JJ Yeley
David Stremme
Elliott Sadler

And all of the above drivers are locked into the Daytona 500 no matter what happens....as well as Dale Jarrett in MWR's 44 Toyota due to the past champion provisional. 36 drivers in right now no matter what happens.

Here are the guys going to have to race their way into the Daytona 500 via speed by being one of the top two qualifiers, or top 3 other qualifiers not already in the race after the Duels, or being one of the top two drivers in each Duel not in the top 35 in Owners Points....

Sterling Marlin
Michael Waltrip
Ward Burton
Mike Bliss
Brian Vickers
AJ Allmendinger
Paul Menard
David Reutimann
Brandon Whitt
Joe Nemechek
Jeremy Mayfield
#61 Front Row car
Johnny Sauter #70?
Kenny Wallace
Mike Wallace
Mike Skinner
Scott Wimmer #33 RCR - tested at Daytona
Bill Elliott #37
James Hylton #58 - with leased car from RCR
Boris Said
Kirk Shelmerdine
Eric McClure

I'm sure I've missed a couple but right there is 57 guys shooting to make the race at Daytona. 36 already in leaves 21 guys shooting for 7 spots. Speedweeks will be INTENSE this year. I feel for some of the heavily funded teams that are sure to get behind the 8 ball right off the bat missing the Daytona 500.

 

[volinbham]

So is AJ Allmendinger moving over from CART?

He's definitely fast.

 

[tidwell]

Dunno where he came from, but he's driving a 'Yota for the Red Bull (I think) Team with Brian Vickers as his teammate.

If he plans on drafting with Vickers, he better be behind him...

 

[doozer]

Allmendinger is definitely coming over from CART.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

If he plans on drafting with Vickers, he better be behind him...

lol:

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

I'm looking forward to it this year....I wonder if it comes down to it at the end of the race of Johnson and Vickers are around him if Jr. will remember Talladega? I know I would....I'm still pissed about that, can't you tell?

 

[doozer]

I'm looking forward to it this year....I wonder if it comes down to it at the end of the race of Johnson and Vickers are around him if Jr. will remember Talladega? I know I would....I'm still pissed about that, can't you tell?

i bet Junior will. especially because Vickers did that on purpose and because Junior has never been guilty of wrecking somebody to win.

 

[#10_Ainge_#10]

i bet Junior will. especially because Vickers did that on purpose and because Junior has never been guilty of wrecking somebody to win.

Ok, it's taking a lot to bite my tongue here but I never said anything about Jr. wrecking anyone on purpose to win, if you couldn't see the sarcasm in my post then your not as intelligent as you think.....I wouldn't want anyone to wreck someone in the middle of a big pack of cars going 190 MPH, that's retarded......I know he has wrecked someone to win, see Michigan in the Busch series this year for an example, but who hasn't? Not saying that it was the right thing to do but still.......Not totally his fault, but nevertheless, it happened.....Vickers did to that on purpose, why wouldn't he have done it? He had nothing to lose, he was leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the year anyways...He wasn't wanted....but I'm sure you know a source much closer:thumbsup:

 

[JTrainDavis]

Scott Riggs did damn good last season despite missing the 500..so they arent as far behind the 8 ball as it would seem, it is not as if any of the drivers not already in has a reasonable shot at the Cup anyhow...Though it would be too bad if Sterlin', Front Row Joe, or Boris Said missed the race...3 good guys, 2 are fairly proven, and Boris just can't get a break...i don't think sponsors like the haircut or something

 

[JennVols]

Ok, it's taking a lot to bite my tongue here but I never said anything about Jr. wrecking anyone on purpose to win, if you couldn't see the sarcasm in my post then your not as intelligent as you think.....I wouldn't want anyone to wreck someone in the middle of a big pack of cars going 190 MPH, that's retarded......I know he has wrecked someone to win, see Michigan in the Busch series this year for an example, but who hasn't? Not saying that it was the right thing to do but still.......Not totally his fault, but nevertheless, it happened.....Vickers did to that on purpose, why wouldn't he have done it? He had nothing to lose, he was leaving Hendrick Motorsports at the year anyways...He wasn't wanted....but I'm sure you know a source much closer:thumbsup:

Great post! :rock: