NASCAR Matinee

Under threatening skies, a storm developed Thursday afternoon in Daytona Beach, FL as 61 drivers took the track at Daytona International Speedway to determine the 43 starters for the 49th running of the Daytona 500 held on Sunday. The rain held off but fast and furious was all around the speedway as drivers raced two and three wide at nearly 190 miles per hour. Tony Stewart won the first Gatorade Dual 150 and Jeff Gordon won the second.

Daytona never lacks drama as the big story so far has been Michael Waltrip Racing caught with having an illegal substance in the in-take manifold of the engine which is a huge no no in NASCAR. MWR was fined 100 points and $100,000 with Waltrip’s crew chief and director of competition were ejected from the speedway. The two time Daytona 500 champion had to start in the rear of his qualifying race but quickly made his way to front. He led some laps and was able to finish 8th guaranteeing him a spot in the Great American Race.

Waltrip’s run was not without incident. He clipped Dale Earnhardt Jr while racing for the lead spinning the 2004 Daytona 500 champion into the grass. Dale Jr did not hit anything and raced his way from last back to finish 2nd behind Sundays favorite Stewart. Stewart raced to the front and dominated the event posting his 2nd straight win of speedweeks including the Budweiser Shootout.

Breaking News, Jeff Gordon has failed post race inspection and has been disqualified. Gordon’s car was too low which allows the Chevy to run quicker. No word yet whether Gordon will be fined. As for the race, Gordon, which used is illegal car sliced through the field in the final 8 laps passing Kurt Busch on the final lap for the apparent victory. With the disqualification, Kurt Busch who finished behind Gordon will be awarded the victory. Gordon will start 42nd on Sunday bumping up all the even starting positions up one row.

Big Winners at the Duals:

-Boris Said: The road Racing Ace finished 11th in the first Dual giving him a spot in the 500 for the first time. The Said-Heads have something to look forward to because Boris finished 4th in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona last July.

-Michael Waltrip Racing: After and embarrassing start of speedweeks, the organization rebounded by having all three drivers make the Daytona 500 field. Waltrip raced his way in, David Reutimann got in due to Said’s finish and Dale Jarrett will take the past champions provisional.

-Mike Wallace: Brother of recently retired NASCAR Legend and former Champion Rusty Wallace passed Sterlin Marlin 100 feet from the finish to qualify for the big race.

-Joe Nemechek: He too raced his way in the 500

Big Losers:

-Jeff Gordon: He is a cheater

-Paul Menard: He is going to be a great driver but he barely missed the 500 for the 2nd straight year.

-Red Bull Racing: Both drivers missed the 500

Lastly I would like to mention I have a major announcement on Saturday. A Press Conference is scheduled for 2pm at University Park and will be broadcasted on YouTube. Be sure to tune in for the announcement.