Kyle Busch wrecks but still wins the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

He who has the horses ...

Doug Yates was beaming after the first two Daytona 500 practice sessions on Saturday.

The second-generation engine builder had every reason to be proud. After months of preparation with NASCAR’s new electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems, Roush Yates Engines topped the first Budweiser Shootout practice (Matt Kenseth 201.762 mph) on Friday and Greg Biffle posted the fastest laps in both 500 practices on Saturday. Six Fords in all were among the top 10 during the first practice with Biffle setting the mark of 193.395 mph. Biffle’s best afternoon lap was 193.241 mph.

Defending Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne was second quick, just 0.021-seconds off Biffle’s pace.

“We’re really excited about coming to Daytona,” Yates said. “A lot of hard work was done by the guys at Roush Yates engines and the engineers. To come to the racetrack for the first time with EFI and to be fast is really exciting.”

Yates is among the majority grateful that the emphasis of Speedweeks is back on horsepower rather than worrying about keeping the engines cool due to tandem draft

“Every winter you come test, and there seems to be a different theme,” Yates said. “So you go back home and you work hard and you try to get organized so you can come back down here and win the race. We thought this year was going to be more about power. When two cars are hooked up, you need power and you need cooling but the power is a little less significant.

“So we went home knowing we might need more RPM capability and definitely power is going to be a big deal this time. And we’re really proud with how fast our Fords so far.”

And the Ford drivers are grateful for the power. Biffle is looking for a bump following his miserable 16th-place finish in the points standings last year. It was the first time in three seasons that the No. 16 team did not qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup .

Following practice, Biffle said, “I feel really good.”

“It’s a testament to how hard these guys have worked because here the driver really doesn’t do anything in qualifying,” Biffle added. “So it’s (crew chief) Matt (Puccia) and all these guys on the team who work at the track and the shop. They’ve worked really hard on these cars and the motors have been awesome. Doug and the guys have this fuel injection really dialed in and figured out. They’re really paying attention to detail and worked really hard on the dyno and I’m just lucky I get to drive it.

“Trust me, I’ve been down here a ton of times where you’re 23rd or 18th or whatever, so it’s nice to be near the front or at the front.”

Certainly, fuel injection has been a challenge for all engine builders and the manufacturers that have offered factory support. But as is the case with most engineers, Yates appreciates the challenge.

Kyle Busch celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Bud Shootout at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

“The things fuel injection allows you to do with the engine is just really exciting,” Yates said. “You can tune each cylinder individually with fuel and timing. As an engineer and an engine builder and the son of an engine builder, it’s just really exciting to have something to build on.

“I haven’t been this excited about coming to Daytona in a long time. Obviously, last year was a really good year for us, but with this new change, it’s new and it’s different. When you have a change it’s an opportunity to get ahead.”

Numbers game

1: Win for Kyle Busch in the Budweiser Shootout in six attempts.
2: Shootout wins for the Busch brothers; Kurt won last year.
10: Cars remaining on the lead lap at the end of the race.
$15,032: Winnings for 25th-place finisher Michael Waltrip, which won’t cover the cost of repairing his car.

Say what?

Once Jeff Gordon, a two-time winner of the Shootout, was released from the infield care center: “That’s the first time I’ve been upside down in 19 or 20 years.”