Daytona 500 Qualifying Report

Qualifying Report
Daytona 500, February 11, 2007
2.5-mile; Daytona International Speedway
Daytona, Florida

QUALIFYING RESULTS:

1. David Gilliland, Ford, 48.304 seconds, 186.320 miles per hour
2. Ricky Rudd, Ford, 48.489 seconds, 185.609 miles per hour
3. David Stremme, Dodge, 48.521 seconds, 185.427 miles per hour
4. Juan Montoya, Chevrolet, 48.560 seconds, 185.338 miles per hour
5. David Ragan, Chevrolet, 48.570 seconds, 185.300 miles per hour
24. Bobby Labonte, Dodge, 48.913 seconds, 184.000 miles per hour
34. Kyle Petty, Dodge, 49.092 seconds, 183.329 miles per hour

The official beginning of the 2007 NASCAR Nextel Cup racing season kicked off Sunday afternoon at the 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Over 60 teams entered the gates of the most famous track in NASCAR earlier this week as they all attempt to be crowned the 49th Daytona 500 champion. Only 43 drivers will line up February 18th for a chance at NASCAR’s most prestigious prize. The front row of that field was set on Sunday afternoon. Robert Yates Racing teammates David Gilliland and Ricky Rudd will pace the field to the green next Sunday. They posted the two fastest times during Sunday’s time trials. It is Gilliland’s second pole of his career, but first Daytona 500 pole. In fact, this week is the first time he has raced Daytona. The rest of the qualifiers will be split and placed in the Gatorade Duel’s this upcoming Thursday. The finishing order of that race and NASCAR procedures determines the rest of the 41 starters for “The Great American Race”.

Labonte and the #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team didn’t have to wait long before they had their chance for the front row. Labonte was the 14th driver to take time on Sunday. The #43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge team didn’t make the front two positions, but did stay consistent with their speed from Saturday’s practice session. Labonte’s lap was 24th fastest at the end of the day.

“We’re ready to race on Thursday,” said Labonte. “The Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge has been pretty good. We might have lost some on the backstretch, but I think everyone has today. It’s a little windy and everyone is a bit slower.”

Petty and the #45 Wells Fargo Dodge team have posted nearly duplicate times to their teammates on the ‘43’ team. That, again, was the case on Sunday. Petty’s speed (34th fastest) neighbored Labonte’s and both cars will have great starting positions for Thursday qualifying races. The lineup for Thursday was not immediately available after qualifying.

“This is what we expected from the car today,” said Petty. “It’s a good run for this Wells Fargo Dodge team and everyone at Petty Enterprises. The Evernham Engines, and everything they have done with their technology, was great. They have made improvements. Everyone in the fabrication shop who worked on this car; it’s great for those guys.”

Sunday’s qualifying session was televised live nationally by FOX. Thursday afternoon’s Gatorade Duel’s are scheduled to start at 2:00 (EDT) and will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel. All races from Daytona will be broadcast on MRN Radio.