Jimmie Johnson posted the fastest lap during qualifying for the 50th running of the Daytona 500, beating out Michael Waltrip and Joe Nemechek. Johnson's second lap around the 2.5-mile ribbon of asphalt, 48.109 seconds 187.075 mph, was the only lap to break the 187 mile per hour barrier.
Patrick Carpentier, in the #10 Valvoline Dodge, posted the fast lap of the Raybestos Rookies looking to make the field. However, Carpentier's spot in the 43-car field is not secured.
"I’m pretty happy," Carpentier remarked after his qualifying run, which was third overall at the time. "You know, we almost backed up what we did yesterday and with the wind today it picks up the front of the car and just pushed it more. The guys did a good job. The No. 10 Valvoline Dodge was powerful enough to get us through the wind and hopefully we’ll stick up there and be part of that Daytona 500. It’s going to be a long way from now to the end."
Fellow Canadian, Jaques Villenueve, posted the 17th fastest lap and has a chance to also make the field. Both he and Carpentier need solid runs in their respective "Duals" to either make the field on position or by speed.
The rather confusing qualifying format gives 38 drivers a comfort zone for the remainder of the week. The top 35 in points from last year and the three fastest non-top 35 drivers, Waltrip, Nemechek and David Reutimann are guaranteed spots in the field regardless of how they perform in their respective 150-mile Gatorade Duel on Thursday. Four drivers, two from each dual, will make the race either by their performance or by their qualifying speed.
A single finishing position could easily send Carpentier, Villenueve, Boris Said and Brian Vickers either into the race or sadly into the race to get back home and prepare for California Speedway the following week.
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