2012 Nascar Budweiser Shoot-Out & Gatorade Duel 150s - Daytona, Fox+Speed Sat. Nite and Thu.

NASCAR.com ^ | 2/17/12

[al_c]

That was a viscious hit. That girl is tough!

[tubebender]

Was that her purse laying on the track?

[alancarp]

Stewart, Dale Jr., Ambrose, McDowell, R. Gordon
Burton, Edwards, Dinger, Happy, McMary
Stenhouse, Bayne, Keslow, Ragan, Almirola
Patrick, Hamlin, Waltrip, Stremme, M. Wallace
T. Labonte, Gilly, Montoya, Menard, Cassill

[alancarp]

RACED IN for Sunday: Mike McDowell.

[tubebender]

After seeing the crash I want to apologize to Danica...

[alancarp]

Also raced in: Robby Gordon.

Danica got collected... “vicious hit”... she’s okay. But thanks to some bizarre point-shuffling, she’ll be back for Sunday.

[tubebender]

I called my son collect to tell him Robby Gordon made the cut...

[alancarp]

Second race starts at about 4pm EST.

[alancarp]

Second race - drivers who need to race their way in:

Bill Elliot (since Terry L. took the last Past Champ provisional).
Kenny Wallace (since Bayne didn’t get the spot)
Joe Nemechek (partnered w/Elliot)
Dave Blaney

unsure if that’s the complete list.

[alancarp]

Okay... starting grid for Duel #2:

Biffle, Mears, J Gordon, Truex Jr., My Favorite Martin
JJ, Robot, Newman, Logano, Shrub Busch
Raines, Blaney, K. Wallace, the Sad Elliott, Mad Busch
Regan Smith, Front Row Joe, Robert Richardson Jr., B. Labonte, Bowyer
Rooty, KKahne, Yeley, the Awesome Eilliott.

[alancarp]

GATORADE DUEL #2
GREEN FLAG

Temperature said to be dropping just a bit (though now 84 degrees, nearly a date record (86deg))... wind down a little (19-22 mph from SW), but hasn't been a big factor so far this afternoon. Some track shading expected in a couple of places. Scattered clouds will also figure in that.

[alancarp]

Inside lane started much better.
Outside now working after a couple of laps.

Kenseth, JJ, Biffle now up front. Usual suspects up front.

[alancarp]

Yeley blowed up or something... pitting.

He needed to race his way in. He’ll lose at least 2 laps under the best of circumstances, so he’s done.

[alancarp]

Lap 10: Kenseth, JJ, Biffle, Logano, Truex
Leader’s speed: 197.4

[alancarp]

Lap 14: Logano and Shrub have pushed to the front.
Kenseth 3rd, JJ and Blaney next. Sadler with Blaney.

[alancarp]

Radio statement: ‘We’re not seeing that 2-car bump draft often, but when we do, it works.’

[alancarp]

Sadler had a nice save after a bad ‘wiggle’... he is regrouping at the back of the pack.

Kyle, Kenseth, JJ, Blaney, Logano 5th, Flash and Biffle next.
Logano seems to have a good car.

JJ to 2nd...Kenseth & Biffle for 4th, Gordon and Martin next.
Kenny Wallace to 13th, Nemecheck, 14.

We’re around lap 20 now.

[alancarp]

Biffle to the lead with a two-car draft on lap 23.
He moved up 5 spots very quickly.

[alancarp]

Lap 26.

Biffle holds off Kyle... then JJ, Joey, Truex, Martin, Smith, Sadler. Kenseth and Blaney finish the top 10.

[alancarp]

FUEL WINDOW... 44-48 laps. If they stay green, then we’re probably looking at pit stops around lap 44-45.

But then we’re in uncharted territory here - particularly with the tires and the heat.