Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne Claim Gatorade Duel 125's

Sports News - February 12th, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

NASCAR got what it wanted when they asked drivers to "open it up". On Thursday at the Gatorade Duel 125's, both preliminary races jockeying for starting positions at the Daytona 500 came down to photo finishes.

In the first of two qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway, four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson edged out Kevin Harvick by a mere .005 seconds to claim the victory. In race two, Kasey Kahne beat Tony Stewart by only. 014 seconds.

"I think we put on one heck of a race," Johnson said in an interview after his narrow victory.

Kahne held a similar view.

"I definitely feel like (the racing) has been pretty exciting and good from my standpoint," Kahne said.

Adding to the drama of the races yesterday was Michael Waltrip. The two-time Daytona 500 champion had arranged to make the last start of his career at Daytona this weekend, but wrecked during the first race. He was then forced to watch the second race and hope that the order of finish would supplant him a spot in the field.

"I know I had an interest in what was happening for myself ... but I've never seen anything more exciting in my whole life than that (race)," Waltrip remarked. "The race for the win, those guys mixing it up, that's hard. If you don't like that, then you need to become a fan of a different sport because that right there is as good as it gets."

Waltrip had to rely on Bobby Labonte or Scott Speed to allow him to pick up a "transfer" spot in the Daytona 500. Speed came through for Waltrip, allowing the former champion to receive a spot in the field.

This is exactly what NASCAR chairman Brian France had in mind when they decided to make several rules changes and tweaks during the off-season. NASCAR had undergone some difficult viewership problems due to a lack of excitement. Television ratings have steadily declined and changes were necessary to regenerate intrigue. France and NASCAR permit bump-drafting this year at Daytona International Speedway, along with encouraging drivers to show more emotion.

If the preliminary races are any indication, then they have made the right moves.

At the same time, Johnson got the confidence he needed. A 13th place finish at the Bud Shootout last week installed doubt in the 2006 Daytona 500 Champion's head.

"After the Shootout, I ran well at the start, then we started fading. Inside the car, I was just wondering if I lost my touch with restrictor plate racing," Johnson remarked. "Stuff goes on in my head. Even though we won ... I don't win a lot on plate tracks, so I still feel like I'm learning. Today is a big step in that direction."

Johnson has been established as a 10/1 favorite to win the 2010 Daytona 500 according to the NASCAR Betting Lines at Bodog sportsbook.

Mark Martin earned the pole position on the basis of timed qualifying earlier in the week. Dale Earnahrdt Jr. will be on the outside poll.

The 52nd running of the Daytona 500 can be seen live on Sunday February 14th, at 1pm Est and will be broadcast on FOX.