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JENSEN: NASCAR Answerman - Daytona
The NASCAR Answerman returns to Daytona International Speedway exclusively on SPEEDtv.com...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted February 10, 2009   Daytona Beach, FL
The NASCAR Answerman on SPEEDtv.com - The Online Motorsports Authority

Note: By popular demand, The NASCAR Answerman returns for 2009 on SPEEDtv.com. I will be answering questions every week and look forward to hearing from you as the season goes on. And by the way, thanks for the e-mails of support. – Tom Jensen

What’s been the biggest surprise of Daytona Speedweeks so far? — Bobby J., Tampa, Fla.

Thanks for the question, Bobby. Without a doubt, I think the biggest surprise so far has been Martin Truex Jr. sitting on the pole for the Daytona 500. Over the winter, Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates had massive layoffs and there were reports of a good deal of internal turmoil because of the merger and subsequent resizing of DEI and CCG. In fact, at one point, it looked as if the team might only field two cars for 2009. For EGR to step it up so well at the start of Speedweeks has been impressive.

What was particularly eye opening wasn’t just Truex’s pole, but the fact that Juan Pablo Montoya and Aric Almirola were fourth- and seventh-fastest, respectively, in Daytona 500 qualifying. Remember, EGR shares an engine program with Richard Childress Racing. RCR’s four cars were 22nd (Clint Bowyer), 31st (Jeff Burton), 40th (Casey Mears) and 49th (Kevin Harvick) in Daytona 500 qualifying. Then again, Harvick did win the Bud Shootout, so perhaps we shouldn’t but too much into qualifying.

Who do you think will transfer from the Gatorade Duels into the Daytona 500? — Pete T., San Jose, Calif.

Excellent question, Pete! If you look at the Gatorade Duel 150 starting lineups, the first Duel is clearly the easiest of the two. In Duel No. 1, there are only seven cars trying to transfer into the Daytona 500. Of those seven, Joe Nemechek, Scott Riggs and Brad Keselowski so far have been head and shoulders above Tony Raines, Kirk Shelmerdine, Mike Skinner and Carl Long in terms of speed.

The second Duel is tougher to call, with 10 cars looking to make it into the big show. Still, in this group I like Regan Smith and AJ Allmendinger, though veterans Mike Wallace, Jeremy Mayfield and Boris Said could come up big here.


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