Martin Truex, Jr. claims the pole position for next Sunday’s Daytona 500, running 188.001 mph (47.872 seconds). Mark Martin turned in the second fastest speed during qualifying, posting a mark of 187.817 mph (47.919 seconds). Both Truex, Jr. and Martin are locked in for the front row for the Daytona 500. The other 41 spots available will be determined by the finishing order of Thursday’s Gatorade Duels.
Martin Truex Jr and Mark Martin Will Be On The Front Row For The 2009 Daytona 500
Here’s how the top 10 stacked up during Daytona 500 Qualifying today:
1. Martin Truex Jr.
2. Mark Martin
3. Ryan Newman
4. Juan Pablo Montoya
5. Bill Elliott
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Aric Almirola
8. Travis Kvapil
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Tony Stewart
Click here for a complete rundown of how all 56 drivers qualified.
Procedures For Daytona 500 Qualifying
If you are new to NASCAR the qualifying procedures for the Daytona 500 can be very confusing. Here is how it works:
Step 1: Automatic berths
Even before teams unloaded at Daytona International Speedway, 36 drivers were locked into the field for the Great American Race.
The top 35 teams based on the owners standings in 2008 are guaranteed a spot at Daytona (Click here for the full list).
The final driver to earn a berth is the most recent champion not already locked into the field. Should the most recent champion (currently Tony Stewart) lock in via time or the Gatorade Duel qualifying races, the next eligible champion will be able to use the past champions provisional. Whichever driver ends up using the provisional will start the race from the 43rd and final starting position (Click here for the list of eligible past champions).
Step 2: It all starts here
All the fun begins one week before the running of the Daytona 500. On Sunday, every team will run traditional qualifying — one at a time, two laps per car. However, this qualifying session will lock in the front row (positions 1-2) and the rear of the field.
Regardless of who claims the top two spots, keep an eye for those drivers who are in the "Go or Go Home" category (click here for the full list). The three fastest drivers on that list will be able to breathe a sigh of relief after Sunday as they too will have earned a spot in the field.
Step 3: Racing their way in
This is where the schedule deviates from the rest of the season. On the Thursday before the Daytona 500, there will be two 150-mile qualifying races (the Gatorade Duels) to finalize the starting lineup.
Finishing positions in the Gatorade Duels will determine starting positions 3-40 in the Daytona 500. Based on their finish in the first Duel, the eligible highest ranked 35 in car owner points plus the two highest finishing non-top 35 teams will be lined up in the odd-number starting positions. Based on their finish in the second Duel, the eligible highest ranked 35 in car owner points plus the two highest finishing non-top 35 teams will be lined up in the even-number starting positions.
If any of the drivers who were quickest during qualifying make their way into the field, the next fastest driver will take their spot.
Drivers locked into the field by owner points (order based on car number)
David Reutimann, Martin Truex Jr., Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, David Ragan, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon, Aric Almirola, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin, David Stremme, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Elliott Sadler, Joey Logano, Jeff Gordon, Jamie McMurray, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer, John Andretti, Ryan Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, Reed Sorenson, Marcos Ambrose, Jimmie Johnson, Michael Waltrip, Sam Hornish Jr., Scott Speed, Brian Vickers, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Bobby Labonte, Paul Menard, Carl Edwards
Drivers who can use the past champions provisional (order based on eligibility)
Tony Stewart, Terry Labonte, Bill Elliott
"Go or Go Home" drivers (order based on car number)
Boris Said, Brad Keselowski, Tony Stewart*, Bill Elliott*, Mike Skinner, Kirk Shelmerdine, Travis Kvapil, Scott Riggs, Tony Raines, Jeremy Mayfield, AJ Allmendinger, Carl Long, Kelly Bires, Norm Benning, James Hylton, Geoff Bodine, Terry Labonte*, Mike Wallace, Mike Garvey, Derrike Cope, Regan Smith, Joe Nemechek
*Drivers who are eligible to use the past champions provisional.
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