The Hendrick Motorsports juggernaut rolls on.
Reigning NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson won his second Daytona 500 pole less than 24 hours after new Hendrick teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the checkered flag in the Budweiser Shootout.
Michael Waltrip, embarrassed last year at Daytona when his team was caught using an illegal fuel additive in his Toyota, also had a great run Sunday, taking the outside front-row spot.
Asked if this makes him the favorite to win the 500, Johnson said: “We have to wait until we get out in the draft and see how these cars work. That’s really a true test of these cars. We know we have the fastest single car.”
Said Waltrip: “It’s certainly something we’re very proud of. We’ve worked very hard over the last three months with our testing. We noticed at each test that our cars were faster than they’ve ever been.”
Only the top two qualifiers locked in starting positions for next Sunday’s 50th running of the Daytona 500. The top 35 drivers from last season’s car owners points are guaranteed starting spots in the 43-car field. Waltrip and David Reutimann were among 18 drivers who began the day competing for the few remaining positions. The rest of the starting field will be determined Thursday in two 150-mile qualifying races.
Johnson’s qualifying speed was 187.075 m.p.h., with Waltrip just behind at 186.734.
A tribute to the Man in Black
Dale Earnhardt won 34 times at Daytona, his most famous victory the 1998 Daytona 500, when he drove his black No. 3 Richard Childress Racing GM Goodwrench Chevrolet into the record book.
On Sunday, tribute was paid to the Man in Black. His widow, Teresa, and Childress unveiled a 2008 version of the car. It will be displayed as part of prerace festivities for the 500.
“The link Dale had to Daytona is legendary,” Mrs. Earnhardt said. “I hope it will continue for the next 50 years.”
