Buzzing Daytona
Sprint Cup Series practices | Kyle Busch (190.525 mph) was quickest in the first practice Wednesday followed by Matt Kenseth (190.440), Scott Riggs (190.281), Carl Edwards (190.311) and Tony Stewart (190.299). Ryan Newman (189.765) was quickest in the second practice, followed by Michael Waltrip (189.557), Dave Blaney (188.957), Bill Elliott (188.917) and Kasey Kahne (188.838).
Where's Junior? | Dale Earnhardt Jr. (187.484) was 43rd quickest in the day's first practice, but ran up front for a good chunk of it. Earnhardt (187.582) was 32nd on the speed charts in the second practice.
Nationwide Series practice | Earnhardt Jr. (185.770) was fastest in Wednesday's lone practice. Clint Bowyer (185.151) was second followed by Kevin Harvick (185.113), Kyle Busch (184.885) and Greg Biffle (184.718).
Craftsman Truck Series practice | Jon Wood (186.170) was quickest in Wednesday's lone practice, followed by Phillip McGilton (185.858), Stacy Compton (185.713), Jason White (185.567) and Todd Bodine (185.460). West Brunswick (N.C.) High grad Chad McCumbee was 15th quickest at 184.332 mph.
Today's schedule | Nationwide Series final practice, 9:15-10:45 a.m. (ESPN2), Craftsman Truck Series final practice, 11:15-1:15 p.m. (Speed), Sprint Cup Gatorade Duels, 2 p.m. (Speed); Craftsman Truck Series qualifying, 7 p.m. (Speed)
Today's Daytona forecast | Sunny, with a high near 66. North northeast wind around 5 mph. On Thursday, mostly sunny with a high near 74.
What's at stake | The following 15 drivers will be vying for the final four positions in Sunday's Daytona 500 in today's Duels: A.J. Allmendinger, John Andretti, Stanton Barrett, Kurt Busch, Patrick Carpentier, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett, Carl Long, Sterling Marlin, Eric McClure, Boris Said, Ken Schrader, Brian Vickers, Jacques Villeneuve and Kenny Wallace.
Keep in mind | If Kurt Busch races his way into the 500 by finishing in first or second place in his Duel, Dale Jarrett would earn the past champion's provisional based on his '99 title. If Kyle Busch and Jarrett both race their way in, Bill Elliott would gain the provisional based on his '88 title.
On the tube | ESPN introduced Ray Evernham as a new analyst. Evernham is part owner of Gillette-Evernham Motorsports and was the crew chief for Jeff Gordon during three of Gordon's Cup title seasons. Evernham was joined Wednesday by ESPN faces Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett, Jerry Punch, Andy Petree and Allen Bestwick during a press conference.
For starters | Grammy Award winning country star Trisha Yearwood will perform the National Anthem on Sunday for the Daytona 500.
Did you know? | Since 2000, no driver has won the season-opening Chevy Silverado 250 and gone on to win the Craftsman Trucks title. Last year's series champion Ron Hornaday finished seventh here a year ago. Jack Sprague won the race.
He said it | 'I will be a big Kurt Busch fan for about 45 minutes.' - Dale Jarrett, who can qualify for the Daytona 500 today if Kurt Busch races his way into the field in the first Duel.
He said it II | 'Well it is a concern, naturally, because it is a widespread problem. But it is early enough that we can fix it.' - Jeff Andrews, head engine builder for Hendrick Motorsports after learning the motors in all four Hendrick cars were having engine problems.
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