Today might as well be the Daytona 500 for 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers.Thirty-nine cars are already locked into the race based on their points standing at the end of the 2009 season or their performance in last Saturday's qualifying session, however only two drivers know where they'll start in the race - poll winner Mark Martin and outside poll winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Everyone else's position will be determined by their finishing positions in today's Duel races.
Because for all intents and purposes, today's Gatorade Duel At Daytona 150 qualifying races are the race.
They're the race to earn the remaining four starts for the 52nd running of "The Great American Race."
There are two available starting spots up for grabs in each of the two Duels.
Whichever two drivers of the 15 -- not already locked into the race -- that finish highest in each race are guaranteed a spot in the 500.
Seven drivers will be racing for two spots in the first Duel and eight for two in the second Duel, meaning 11 teams will pack up and head home tonight.
The first race will take place at 2pm ET and the second two hours later. Even though a driver may be locked in this race carries risks of its own. Several drivers, including reigning champ Jimmie Johnson, are running back-up cars because of wrecks in practice. Another wreck in today's Duel races could really mess up their weekend.
Of course, there are lots of reasons everyone wants in the race. It's the most prestigious event on the NASCAR schedule (unlike other sports NASCAR's biggest event comes at the beginning of the season), and it's also one of the biggest paydays of the year. Just qualifying into the race can bring a driver over $200,000.
Should be some good racing today. If you can't watch it live NASCAR.com has a "Race Buddy" program you can use for free to keep up with the action.
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