Daytona 500 - Daytona

Waltrip Claims Daytona 500 Win
Michael Waltrip claimed his first Winston Cup points win in grand style, taking the victory in the season-opening Daytona 500. Waltrip held off teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. by .164 seconds to win for the first time in 463 starts. Waltrip, who started from the 19th position, led for 27 of the event's 200 laps. Rusty Wallace came home third, while Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott rounded out the top five.

Marlin, Skinner Win Gatorade 125's
Sterling Marlin gets the honor of being the first Dodge to visit Victory Lane, Marlin took the win in the first Gatorade 125-mile qualifying race. Marlin passed Dale Earnhardt on the final lap to win the race and gain the third starting position for the Daytona 500. Mike Skinner won the second qualifying race, holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr. by a mere .004 seconds. Skinner will start fourth in the Daytona 500.

Elliott Marks Dodge's Triumphant Return, Grabs Daytona Pole
It's time! Dodge is back. Bill Elliott put his Dodge Intrepid on the pole position for the 47th Daytona 500 with a lap of 49.029 seconds, at an average speed of 183.565 mph. The pole is the first for Elliott since 1997 at Richmond and the 50th of his career. Elliott now ties the record for most Daytona 500 poles with four, he also has five total at the Daytona Speedway. Jerry Nadeau will start second for the Daytona 500 and the remainder of the field will be set following Thursday's running of the Gatorade 125's.
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Note: Jerry Nadeau's qualifying lap was disallowed following the post-qualifying tear down. NASCAR inspectors discovered an unapproved shock absorber and spring shackle on Nadeau's Chevrolet. Stacy Compton will inherit the outside pole and start first in the second Gatorade 125 race on Thursday. “The height of the roof on the No. 25 car was more than a half-inch low in post-qualifying inspection," said Winston Cup Series Director Gary Nelson. "Some of the suspension parts we have in our possession now. We have given the team the car back and we are holding these parts for further study.”
Jason Leffler's time was also disallowed due to contaminated fuel.