Race week is underway down in Daytona, FL. Unlike most races, the Daytona 500 determines its starting order primarily through race action. The qualifying that was held on Sunday determined the front row for the Great American Race. Beyond that, the qualifying times determined the starting positions for today's twin 150-mile races. Half the field runs in one race and half the field runs in the other. The finishing order from the Gatorade Twin 150's determines the starting order for the big race on Sunday. The finishing order from Race 1 determines the inside starting order. The finishing order in Race 2 determines the outside starting order.
In Race 1, Michael Waltrip forced his teammate Dale, Jr. below the yellow line in order to take home the checkered flag. The DEI teammates will start 3rd and 5th, respectively. Tony Stewart won Race 2. That secures a starting position on the outside of row 1 for the Home Depot team.
The top ten starting positions for Sunday's Daytona 500 are as follows:
1. Dale Jarrett 88
2. Jimmie Johnson 48
3. Michael Waltrip 15
4. Tony Stewart 20
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. 8
6. Jeff Burton 31
7. Mike Skinner 23
8. Kevin Lepage 37
9. Ryan Newman 12
10. Martin Truex Jr. 1
Coverage of Sunday's race begins at 1 pm on FOX. The green flag should drop around 2 pm.
