2010 Gatorade Duel Races at Daytona

With the duel races down in the history books, the starting line-up is set for the 52nd Running of the Daytona 500.

photo credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

Neither of the two races Thursday could disappoint any of the 75,000 estimated fans in attendance at the Daytona International Speedway. We saw very close exciting finishes in each 60-lap race.

Jimmie Johnson barely beat Kevin Harvick to the finish line to win the first of the twin races.

“Really didn’t know how many laps we had left,” Johnson said. “I was hopeful it was going to be done soon. My spotter wasn’t really sure. As I went by the start/finish line sideways, I looked up and hoped that it was the checkered because I felt like I was going to spin out. I stayed on the gas, saved it. Everybody else let off around me, I knew the race was over.”

“I think we put on one heck of a race,” Johnson said.

Jeff Gordon will have to go to a back-up for the Daytona 500 after being involved in a wreck during the first duel race. He damaged the nose of the #24 after hitting the back of Regan Smith as both had to slow to avoid a spin by Michael Waltrip. Waltrip cut a tire during the duel. He had to qualify on time, but will make it in to Sunday’s big show.

There were 3 cautions for 11 laps and 8 lead changes among 6 drivers: R. Newman 1-2; M. Martin 3-30; J. Gordon 31; G. Biffle 32-35; J. Gordon 36-39; G. Biffle 40-51; Kyle Busch 52-53; J. Johnson 54-60

For the (unofficial) race results, click here.

Kasey Kahne beat Tony Stewart to the finish to win the second of the 60-lap twin races.

“Yeah, it was really exciting throughout the race,” Kahne said. “My car, we started off pretty loose on entry, a little tied off. Kenny Francis, our Budweiser team, did a great job on the pit stop to get it a little bit better. At that point I tried to learn what some of the other guys’ cars up front were doing. Once I got behind Tony, I felt like I was in a really good position and just needed to take advantage when I got the right push. Kurt gave me that in turn one. I was able to sneak under Tony. From there I just tried to keep the 2 behind me. He was really strong throughout the whole race. I felt if I could keep him behind me, that I’d have a decent shot at winning, trying to beat Tony.”

“It was close, but we were able to pull it off,” Kahne said. “Feels good to win at Daytona!”

There was just one caution for 3 laps and 11 lead changes among 8 drivers: D. Earnhardt Jr. 1-5; J. Montoya 6-8; B. Keselowski 9-23; M. Kenseth 24-27; Kurt Busch 28; M. Kenseth 29-31; Kurt Busch 32-42; K. Kahne 43; Kurt Busch 44-53; B. Vickers 54; T. Stewart 55-58; K. Kahne 59-60

For the (unofficial) race results, click here.

Where drivers finish in their duel race determines where they’ll line-up on the starting grid for the Great American Race or whether they’ll make it in or not.

The Starting Line-Up for the Daytona 500:

* had to qualify on time

Did Not Qualify:Casey Mears, Todd Bodine, David Gilliland, Terry Cook, Derrike Cope, Aric Almirola, Dave Blaney, Reed Sorenson, Mike Wallace, Norm Benning and Jeff Fuller

TV coverage of the Daytona 500 begins at 1 pm this Sunday on Fox.