NASCAR: Gatorade Duels at Daytona Will Send Many Teams Packing

With a purse exceeding $18 million, the last place in Daytona 500 will pay a minimum $226,295.

2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton must race his way into the 2007 Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The moment of truth during Speedweeks 2007 for many NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series teams - including Michael Waltrip, Brian Vickers and Ward Burton - will come today in the Gatorade Duel at Daytona.

For this year's Daytona 500, NASCAR's richest and most prestigious event, there could be as many as 30 teams without guaranteed starting spots trying to qualify for "The Great American Race."

"The day of the Gatorade Duel At Daytona is going to be the most important bubble day in motorsports," Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said.

The Daytona 500 qualifying format is unique. The top 35 teams in owner's points have guaranteed starting spots in the Daytona 500 while all remaining teams fight over seven starting spots.

Four spots are split among the top two finishing drivers in each Gatorade Duel that are not already guaranteed a starting spot get into the Daytona 500.

The next three spots go to the fastest three qualifiers based on the single-car time trials from Budweiser Pole Qualifying that are not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500.

A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup Series champion.

Among the drivers that will potentially have to race their way into the Daytona 500 through the Gatorade Duel At Daytona include:

· Red Bull Racing Toyota drivers Brian Vickers and AJ Allemdinger

· Michael Waltrip Racing's David Reutimann and two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip

· 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton, who races for Morgan-McClure Motorsports, a three-time winner of the Daytona 500

· Bill Davis Racing's Jeremy Mayfield

· Ginn Racing's Joe Nemechek and Regan Smith

· Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Paul Menard

· Boris Said, who won the pole for the 2006 Pepsi 400 and finished fourth

Other compelling stories that will be resolved in the Gatorade Duel At Daytona will be whether or not 72-year-old veteran driver James Hylton can earn a ticket to the Daytona 500.

First race starts at 2:00 PM ET; the second race starts after the first one ends.

The races can be seen on the SPEED channel.

Toyota`s Face Tough Task In Gatorade Duel At Daytona

Hylton, who is driving a car bought from Richard Childress Racing and powered by a RCR motor, is attempting to become the oldest driver to qualify for a NASCAR race.

Kirk Shelmerdine, the Cinderella story from last year's Daytona 500, is back again.

The former crew chief that led Dale Earnhardt to four of his seven NASCAR championships made the 2006 Daytona 500 on speed and finished 20th.

Making the Daytona 500 field produces big dividends.

Besides being able to show off your sponsor in the most watched NASCAR race of the year, making Daytona 500 also guarantees a hefty pay day.

With a purse exceeding $18 million, the last place in Daytona 500 will pay a minimum $226,295.

Gatorade Duel Starting Lineups

Race 1

1. 38 David Gilliland

2. 6 David Ragan

3. 60 * Boris Said

4. 70 * Johnny Sauter

5. 48 Jimmie Johnson

6. 25 Casey Mears

7. 11 Denny Hamlin

8. 36 * Jeremy Mayfield

9. 20 Tony Stewart

10. 1 Martin Truex Jr.

11. 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

12. 43 Bobby Labonte

13. 55 * Michael Waltrip

14. 66 Jeff Green

15. 16 Greg Biffle

16. 4 * Ward Burton

17. 45 Kyle Petty

18. 7 Robby Gordon

19. 22 Dave Blaney

20. 84 * A.J. Allmendinger

21. 07 Clint Bowyer

22. 37 * Bill Elliott

23. 41 Reed Sorenson

24. 78 * Kenny Wallace

25. 21 Kenny Schrader

26. 44 * Dale Jarrett

27. 31 Jeff Burton

28. 49 * Mike Bliss

29. 30 * Stanton Barrett

30. 72 * Brandon Whitt

31. 58 * James Hylton

Race 2

1. 88 Ricky Rudd

2. 40 David Stremme

3. 42 Juan Pablo Montoya

4. 24 Jeff Gordon

5. 14 * Sterling Marlin

6. 5 Kyle Busch

7. 00 * David Reutimann

8. 18 J.J. Yeley Interstate

9. 23 * Mike Skinner

10. 19 Elliott Sadler

11. 26 Jamie McMurray

12. 39 * Regan Smith

13. 12 Ryan Newman

14. 29 Kevin Harvick

15. 15 * Paul Menard

16. 01 Mark Martin

17. 96 Tony Raines

18. 2 Kurt Busch

19. 34 * Kevin Lepage

20. 83 * Brian Vickers

21. 13 * Joe Nemechek

22. 10 Scott Riggs

23. 99 Carl Edwards

24. 71 * Frank Kimmel

25. 04 * Eric McClure

26. 27 * Kirk Shelmerdine

27. 74 * Derrike Cope

28. 09 * Mike Wallace

29. 17 Matt Kenseth

30. 9 Kasey Kahne

* Must race their way into the Daytona 500.

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