Starting grid for the 55th Annual Daytona 500
Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images |
Hour upon hour of discussion of the Generation 6 cars. The big-name drivers switching teams, crews and manufacturers. New racing partnerships forming. New sponsors. New qualifying rules. All the hype gave way to cars on the track last week. We finally got to see the new car on the track for more than practice laps. The jury is still out on whether the actual racing has improved, but one thing is for certain: everyone's ready for the main event.
In case you missed it, the first woman to win an IndyCar race became the first woman to win the pole in NASCAR's top division. Rookie Danica Patrick starts on the front row of NASCAR's Super Bowl next to 20-year veteran and four-time champion Jeff Gordon.
Right behind them are the winners of the Budweiser Duels, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. Think about that for a minute. Harvick, winner of the 2013 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona who still wants to punch Kyle Busch in the mouth. Kyle Busch, who finished 2012 with five top fives in the last six races. Both drivers with something to prove. Greg Biffle, second-place finisher in the Unlimited, rounds out the top five.
Matt Kenseth begins his tenure in the No. 20 of Joe Gibbs Racing starting in 12th. The former occupant of that seat, Joey Logano, starts his first points-paying race for the Captain, Roger Penske, in the No. 22. Rookie of the Year candidate Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be in the No. 17 that Kenseth just vacated, rolling off 28th. Austin Dillon makes his Cup debut at the World Center of Racing from the eighth position.
And while underdogs Brian Keselowski and Mike Bliss won't be there for the green flag, other long shots will. JJ Yeley made the field for Tommy Baldwin Racing, as did Travis Kvapil and David Reutimann for BK Racing. Scott Speed benefited from Martin Truex Jr.'s black flag and will start for Leavine Family Racing. Josh Wise and Front Row Motorsports squeaked into the field in 32nd. And Regan Smith managed to put Phoenix Racing in the race starting 40th.
Which dark horse will race to the front? Or will Jeff Gordon collect a fourth Harley J. Earle trophy? Will Tony Stewart finally win the one race at DIS that he hasn't yet won? More importantly, what happens if Danica Patrick actually wins the Daytona 500 before her boss does?
Stay tuned. It won't be long now and all these questions will be answered.
Starting grid:
1. Danica Patrick
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Kevin Harvick
4. Kyle Busch
5. Greg Biffle
6. Kasey Kahne
7. Juan Pablo Montoya
8. Austin Dillon
9. Jimmie Johnson
10. Clint Bowyer
11. Kurt Busch
12. Matt Kenseth
13. Tony Stewart
14. Mark Martin
15. Brad Keselowski
16. Paul Menard
17. Casey Mears
18. Jeff Burton
19. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
20. Jamie McMurray
21. Joey Logano
22. David Ragan
23. Bobby Labonte
24. Marcos Ambrose
25. David Gilliland
26. Aric Almirola
27. Joe Nemechek
28. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
29. Michael Waltrip
30. Dave Blaney
31. Scott Speed
32. Josh Wise
33. Trevor Bayne
34. Ryan Newman
35. Denny Hamlin
36. Carl Edwards
37. Martin Truex Jr.
38. Michael McDowell
39. Terry Labonte
40. Regan Smith
41. JJ Yeley
42. David Reutimann
43. Travis Kvapil
DNQ: Brian Keselowski, Mike Bliss
Starting grid for the 55th Annual Daytona 500
Reviewed by Janine Cloud
on
Friday, February 22, 2013
Rating: