Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 500 full of newcomers, past victors and cheats By Jarrod Breeze, NASCAR.COM February 17, 2007 10:14 AM EST The time for the Daytona 500 finally has come, the 49th running of NASCAR's season-opening gala in which the starting lineup has as many past winners as drivers who have been caught trying to circumvent the rules -- six. Rookie David Gilliland, a bright spot in an otherwise bleak beginning to the 2007 season, will lead the grid to green Sunday some two hours after FOX comes on the air at 1 p.m. ET for pre-race pomp and circumstance. Racer's Edge Gilliland spotlights an all-Robert Yates Racing front row, with freshly unretired Ricky Rudd starting on the outside. A pair of former Cup champions looking for redemption in '07 start on Row 2. Tony Stewart, who has won everything but the Florida state lottery in the year's early going, is third alongside Kurt Busch, who begins his second season in the No. 2 Dodge. Neither has ever won the Daytona 500. Jeff Gordon has, but a fourth victory might be hard to come by after his car failed inspection following his win Thursday in the second Gatorade Duel. Gordon will start next-to-last in the 43-car field. Seems Gordon had the misfortune to get caught with a violation at the worst time. Another former 500 winner, Michael Waltrip, whose team committed the most serious of infractions among the six offenders, raced his way into the field in the first twin qualifier -- in the backup car of Michael Waltrip Racing driver David Reutimann. Despite having his qualifying time disallowed, Matt Kenseth will start 10th. One driver void of car ill-tampering has been Dale Earnhardt Jr., a former winner who will start fifth. "I couldn't be happier with my crew," Earnhardt said. "I really like all of the guys around me and we're all really focused on the racecar and motivated to go out and win another of these [Daytona 500s]. It's a race we all look forward to for months and months, and I'll be glad to get in the racecar and let it all hang out. We won the 500 in 2004, and it really set the tone and the attitude for the rest of the season." Jimmie Johnson overcame a cheating scandal at last year's Daytona 500 to win the race, then cooly proceded to win the Cup championship. "Our chances are good but this year's 500 is a lot different than last year's," said Johnson, who will start 21st. "The car that I would really like to have is sitting over in Daytona USA right now. "We have been working on trying to get our car to handle but we lost too much straight-away speed in the process. So we have to find a happy medium." Newcomer Toyota will have four cars in the Daytona 500, three of which belong to Michael Waltrip Racing. The other is the Bill Davis Racing No. 22 Camry, with driver Dave Blaney putting up the manufacturer's most consistent times in preseason tests. "Our Toyota Camrys were fast, and we feel very confident in what we'll be able to do not only in Daytona, but for the entire season," Blaney said. "We're excited about this year, and we think we have the chance to really improve the performance of this race team right from the start of the year." Four drivers will be making their first Daytona 500 start: Gilliland, Reutimann, Juan Montoya and David Ragan, who replaces Mark Martin after 19 years in the No. 6 Ford. "I think we are ready for Daytona. I have mentally and physically prepared myself for this race," said Ragan, who will start 35th. "This is one of the biggest races of the season if not the biggest and I want to finish every lap and improve every lap. "I know I have the resources to get the job done so I am going to take advantage of that and do the very best I can." Track Details Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, FL COMPLETED: 1959 DISTANCE: 2.5 miles SHAPE: Tri-oval BANKING: 31? TURNS: 3? FRONTSTRETCH: 3,800 feet BACKSTRETCH: 3,000 feet SEATING: 168,000 WEATHER: Partly Sunny 51? Media Coverage NASCAR RaceDay 12:00 PM SPEED Daytona 500 2:00 PM FOX NASCAR HotPass on DirecTV Free Preview Mix Channel 3:29 PM Channel 794 NASCAR HotPass on DirecTV Free Preview Stewart Channel 3:29 PM Channel 795 NASCAR HotPass on DirecTV Free Preview Johnson Channel 3:29 PM Channel 796 NASCAR HotPasson DirecTV Free Preview Harvick Channel 3:29 PM Channel 797 NASCAR HotPass on DirecTV Free Preview Waltrip Channel 3:29 PM Channel 798 NASCAR HotPass on DirecTV Free Preview Earnhardt Jr. Channel 3:29 PM Channel 799 NASCAR TrackPass Free Preview 3:30 PM NASCAR.com NASCAR Victory Lane 8:00 PM SPEED NASCAR Now 9:00 PM ESPN (all times ET) Race Lineup 1 38 David Gilliland Ford M&M's 186.320 48.304 Leader 2 88 Ricky Rudd Ford Snickers 185.609 48.489 -0.185 3 20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 4 2 Kurt Busch Dodge Miller Lite 5 8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 6 40 David Stremme Dodge Coors Light 7 31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 8 5 Kyle Busch Chevrolet Kellogg's / CARQUEST 9 11 Denny Hamlin Chevrolet FedEx Express 10 17 Matt Kenseth Ford DEWALT 11 07 Clint Bowyer Chevrolet Jack Daniel's 12 18 J.J. Yeley Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 13 1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops / Tracker 14 99 Carl Edwards Ford Office Depot 15 55 Michael Waltrip Toyota NAPA Auto Parts 16 12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 17 25 Casey Mears Chevrolet National Guard / GMAC 18 13 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet CertainTeed 19 21 Ken Schrader Ford Little Debbie 20 96 Tony Raines Chevrolet DLP HDTV 21 48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 22 109 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts 23 160 Boris Said Ford SOBE - No Fear 24 26 Jamie McMurray Ford Crown Royal 25 16 Greg Biffle Ford Ameriquest 26 01 Mark Martin Chevrolet U.S. Army 27 43 Bobby Labonte Dodge Cheerios / Betty Crocker 28 9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW 29 45 Kyle Petty Dodge Wells Fargo 30 19 Elliott Sadler Dodge Dodge Dealers / UAW 31 66 Jeff Green Chevrolet Best Buy 32 10 Scott Riggs Dodge Valvoline / Stanley Tools 33 41 Reed Sorenson Dodge Target 34 29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet Shell / Pennzoil 35 6 David Ragan* Ford AAA 36 42 Juan Montoya* Dodge Texaco / Havoline 37 22 Dave Blaney Toyota Caterpillar 38 14 Sterling Marlin Chevrolet Waste Management 39 7 Robby Gordon Ford Jim Beam 40 00 David Reutimann* Toyota Domino's Pizza 41 70 Johnny Sauter Chevrolet Yellow Trans. 42 24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 43 44 Dale Jarrett Toyota UPS Champion's Provisional - (*) Denotes Rookie Did Not Qualify 44 36 Jeremy Mayfield Toyota 360 OTC 45 23 Mike Skinner Toyota Bill Davis Racing 46 139 Regan Smith Chevrolet Ginn Resorts 47 4 Ward Burton Chevrolet State Water Heaters 48 15 Paul Menard* Chevrolet PEAK / Menards 49 84 A.J. Allmendinger* Toyota Red Bull 50 34 Kevin Lepage Dodge Detoxify Brand / Makoto Sauces 51 37 Bill Elliott Dodge Huddle House 52 83 Brian Vickers Toyota Red Bull 53 78 Kenny Wallace Chevrolet Furniture Row Racing 54 171 Frank Kimmel Ford Fast Track Driving School 55 49 Mike Bliss Dodge BAM Racing 56 104 Eric McClure Chevrolet Hefty 57 130 Stanton Barrett Chevrolet Bad Boy Power Drink 58 27 Kirk Shelmerdine Chevrolet Lilly Trucking of Virginia 59 172 Brandon Whitt* Chevrolet Dutch Quality Stone 60 74 Derrike Cope Dodge Royal Admin. 61 158 James Hylton Chevrolet Retirement Living TV (*) Denotes Rookie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamarlins3 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Green Flag at 3:30ish...first time the 500 will end after sunset Pretty excited for this... My pick to win it...Mark Martin (Or at least I'll be cheering for him along with Jr, but I'd like to see Mark win the big one.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 A prerace musical act that is actually good. Amazing. But Kelly is hotter with shorter hair. And it looks like she put on weight. Green Flag at 3:30ish...first time the 500 will end after sunset Pretty excited for this... My pick to win it...Mark Martin (Or at least I'll be cheering for him along with Jr, but I'd like to see Mark win the big one.) God that would be so awesome for I am a lifelong Mark Martin fan. But it's hard for me to pick against Stewart. He has had the fastest car all week long. If it's not Stewart, it'll be a Roush car. Probalby Matt Kenseth. Which would also be awesome for I am a life long Roush fan. :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furcalchick Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 i hate fox. they just like to hype things up for no reason expect to put on their american idols and to promote music as the main event instead of the actual event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 i hate fox. they just like to hype things up for no reason expect to put on their american idols and to promote music as the main event instead of the actual event. Kelly Clarkson signed a year long contract with NASCAR to be their official musical sponsor. The contract has nothing to do with FOX but I do know where you're coming from since half of the races are on FOX. Blatant product placement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 You've got to love that sound. 43 engines starting in unison. The command has been given and the 2007 season is officially under way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 3:30 PM: Green Flag God, it's been too long of an offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmenjes Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I'm on the Dale Jr. Hotpass right now. Looking pretty neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Good heavens that was a lot of prerace coverage. GO STERLING! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 30 laps in and the top five are Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and polesitter David Gilliland. David Stremme, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. round out the top ten. Surprised there has only been one caution thus far. Wow, Kurt Busch really doesn't want Stewart to lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndLine Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 30 laps in and the top five are Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick and polesitter David Gilliland. David Stremme, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. round out the top ten. Surprised there has only been one caution thus far. Wow, Kurt Busch really doesn't want Stewart to lead. Awesome blockage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Really surprised to see the Penske Dodges of Busch and Newman running well so far. They haven't been good at Daytona for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndLine Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Stewart in the lead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamarlins3 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Seems pretty difficult to pass the leader under green...Considering just had the first green lead change in 50 laps/125 miles. Stewart has a damn good car...I'm impressed Gilliland has been hanging up there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Seems pretty difficult to pass the leader under green...Considering just had the first green lead change in 50 laps/125 miles. Stewart has a damn good car...I'm impressed Gilliland has been hanging up there... How's this for impressive: Johnny Sauter was fastest last time by. He's getting close to cracking the top ten after starting well back in the field. Green flag pit stops coming up in about three laps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeFish Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I started the race in the car on MRN while driving from Cape Coral to Tallahassee.....now I am in Tally watching the race on FOX....very exciting race so far.....they seem to be slinging it out there with 3-wides at Daytona. RESPECT DAYTONA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lefty Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Tony Stewart is the most talented driver out there. It's just a fact, even though I don't like him. I'm becoming a fan of Kurt Busch (especially b/c he took over the 2), but I'd really like to see JJ pull it out. And I'd love to see Montoya break into the top somehow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Tony Stewart is the most talented driver out there. It's just a fact, even though I don't like him. I'm becoming a fan of Kurt Busch (especially b/c he took over the 2), but I'd really like to see JJ pull it out. And I'd love to see Montoya break into the top somehow. Stewart has the fastest car, no doubt. Talent wise, he's damn good but I wouldn't say he has the most. Just my opinion. There might be a little bias involved in my opinion though because he is my most hated driver. Kurt Busch has always been awesome. I really like him when he drove the 97. I really don't understand why people boo him. Montoya has had problems all week in both series. He will win a race this year, though. He has a lot of talent. Caution is out! Looks like Kyle Petty had a problem. Stewart stalls the car, Robby Gordon wrecks on pit road. Chaotic pit stops. Stewart, the race leader is reporting a possible oil pressure problem. And he ran right through Petty's field of debris. He makes a second trip down pit road and the 20 car is currently shown in the 40th position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I wonder if Sterling's got anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 Who the hell does Jeff Green think he is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndLine Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I've never seen that before... sucks for Stewart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishfan79 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I cant see why people get into this, it is like watching traffic on I95 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 Wow, Stewart and Busch get knocked out... that's a shame for them even though I'd rather see somebody in victory lane besides them. I would LOVE to see Mark Martin win! I cant see why people get into this, it is like watching traffic on I95 That's an ignorant comment, just stay off this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammerhead Posted February 18, 2007 Author Share Posted February 18, 2007 I cant see why people get into this, it is like watching traffic on I95 Then don't watch it! :whistle Mark Martin up to second place. That would be completely amazing to see him win his first ever Daytona 500 in one of his final seasons. Go Mark! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy42Jack0 Posted February 18, 2007 Share Posted February 18, 2007 I cant see why people get into this, it is like watching traffic on I95 i agree...but then again...traffic in massachusetts is woeful...as are the roads...so i watch traffic all day, everyday...cant imagine paying or being excited about it...but then again...to each his/her own...on the bright side...the ancestors of this crazy event(because im sorry, its not a sport) did help to bring booze to our ancestors...and that...is something i can be thankful for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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