Mark Martin knows where he’ll be sitting when the Daytona 500 opens next week. His car already is sitting at the pole, just waiting for the race to begin. Martin has been a qualifying machine throughout his career, with 49 poles – 7 last year alone, but this is his first time leading the pack at the Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., also no stranger to the front row, will be in the next car over. It’s safe to say that Hendrick Motors is feeling good about owning all of the front row for the biggest race in NASCAR.
After that… is anybody’s guess. Ryan Newman knows he’ll be in there somewhere. Bill Elliott, too. Joe Nemecheck, the Pride of Lakeland, Florida, squeaked through the go-or-go-homes to earn a spot. They’ll be joined at Daytona by the aptly-named Scott Speed. But they’ve got to wait until this week’s Duels are over before they’ll know their starting positions.
The 52nd running of the Daytona 500 is just a week away, and the hype is kicking into full gear. Whether or not Danica Patrick runs, whatever drama unfolds throughout the week, this is the week that NASCAR officially begins. Whether by coincidence or design, it is significant that just as the final whistle blows at the Super Bowl, bringing the NFL season to a close, the next big thing in the world of sports is nearly upon us.
All that stands between us and the Daytona 500 is seven little days and two big Gatorade Duels. Let the games begin.
