Players Crib

One of the main events of Speed Week at Daytona International Speedway leading up to Sunday’s 53rd running of the Daytona 500 is the Gatorade Duel on Thursday, February 17, 2011. This race is actually a pair of 150 mile sprints that will determine the starting lineup for the 500.

This type of qualifying is unique to the Daytona 500 as opposed to the normal timed-lap process of establishing a race’s running order. The pole position and outside pole have already been determined for Sunday’s race with Dale Earnhardt Jr. securing the top starting spot and Jeff Gordon locking in second position through a qualifying run last Sunday. The Gatorade Duel splits the rest of the field in half and lets the other drivers battle it out for their spot, making this a fast-paced, excitement-packed pair of races.

The finishing order of the first race will fill out all the positions on the inside of each row and the results of the second race will determine the starting positions on the outside of each row. All told, 43 drivers will take part in the Daytona 500.The first duel is set to begin at 11 a.m. (PT) and will be broadcast on the Speed Network. (article credited to: www.sbrforum.com)