NASCAR: Daytona Duels results & comments

So, yesterday, the two Daytona Duels (Budweiser Duels) set the starting field for Sunday’s Daytona 500 race.

Duel 1 (60 laps)
In the first Duel,  #88 Earnhardt Jr. took the checkered flag – even though he started from last position (due to failure at technical inspection earlier). He also lead 21 laps, that’s impressing. #24 Gordon, starting as no.1 was the runner up. #13 Mears suffered a engine failure at lap 17. #47 Allmendinger and #83 Sauter had a incident with each other at lap 27.

I am impressed over #40 Cassill result. The fact that he only had the 22nd best time at Duel Practice 1 and a “no-show” in  Duel Practice 2, starting 23rd and ended up at 9th place with that kind of pressure – is first class driving. Also, good job by #35 Whitt (starting 22) and #46 Annett (starting 17) that both hade slow practice runs before.

Duel 2 (64 laps)
In the second Duel, #48 Johnson impressed with taking the checkered flag from the pole. He also led 40 laps of the total 64 (green-white-checkered). #18 K.Busch was the runner up from the same starting position. #19 Edwards took the third place after starting third. #26 Burton, #7 Bowman  was involved in wrecks and only completed 36 laps. #98 Wise’s Ford stalled on the pace laps and only completed 1 lap later. There were also an argument between #11 Hamlin and #10 Patrick (again) over “how racing should be at the track”.

In this Duel, I’m impressed over #66 Wallace (starting 23) and #44 Sorenson (starting 20) – both with no Duel practice at all. (JS)

Results Daytona Duel 1 & 2