Today is the day that we have all been waiting for, the 2012 Gatorade Duels at Daytona.  The last day for those outside the field for the Daytona 500 to make it in.  These are the races that make dreams come true, or can shatter the hopes of many. 

The starting lineups for the Duel races are set by qualifying positions from last Sunday.  Carl Edwards starts in the pole position for the first race while Greg Biffle starts on the pole position for the second race.  The rest of the field for these two races are split by owners points from the previous season.  All odd-numbered points positions, in the top 35, are placed into the first race and all even-numbered points positions are placed in the second race.  If the driver was not in the top 35 at the end of last season, they are split between the two races.  Once the two fields are determined, the actual starting lineups are based upon the time trials from Sunday.   Are you confused yet?

To make things simple the starting lineup for Duel race number 1 is as follows:

In this first race Trevor Bayne, David Stremme, are locked into the field based upon their qualifying times if needed, and Terry Labonte is locked into the field upon a past champion provision if needed.  The finishing order of this race will set the inside line for this Sunday’s Daytona 500 while the finishing order of the second Duel will set the outside line.  The top two finishers that are among the non-top-35 teams race their way into the 500. 

Also in this race Michael McDowell, Mike Wallace, and Robby Gordon are not locked into the 500 field based upon their qualifying times, so these drivers will be trying to race their way into the 500.  In this race Michael Waltrip could make the field either by his qualifying speed, if one of the drivers locked in races their way into the 500.

The starting lineup for Duel race number 2 is as follows:

In this race Tony Raines is the only non-top-35 driver locked in based upon his qualifying time from Sunday.  Kenny Wallace and Dave Blaney could make the field based on their qualifying speed, if one of the drivers who are already locked in race their way into the 500, or could race their way in.   Joe Nemechek, Robert Richardson Jr., and JJ Yeley must race their way in to make the field for the Daytona 500.

In the second race, Clint Bowyer’s qualifying time from last Sunday was disallowed for failing post qualifying inspection, so he will start at the back. 

Both races should be exciting with lots of pack racing, and close the close finishes that Daytona is known for, so tune into the SPEED Channel at 2 PM EST to see how the field is set for the Daytona 500.