As mentioned yesterday, qualifying for the Daytona 500 is significant only if you land on the front row.  Everything else is a matter of seeing where you'll line up in which Gatorade Duel.  Even then, for the top of the pops gang the Duel merely determines where you'll start in a race in which starting position is insignificant given the ability to rise or fall multiple spots on each lap.  It's useful for determining possible adjustments on the car for race day, and some bragging rights if you ace the thing.  But that's all.  It's the rev it up or pack it up crowd that's sweating the whole thing.

That all said, there couldn't be more of a study in contrast than the front row come this Sunday.  On the pole it's El Kabong from El Cajon, a/k/a Jimmie Johnson who seems bound and determined to go for three in a row, taking no prisoners along the way.  On the outside of the front row?  Michael "Jet Fuel Genius" Waltrip, whose Daytona experience last year included involvement with one of the most embarrassing cheating incidents in recent memory.  I'm hazarding a guess the resulting mess wasn't exactly what Toyota had in mind as a precursor to its inaugural Cup race.  But I digress.

Now comes three days of tweaks and thumb-twiddling as depending on their social status... uh, ranking in the points at the end of last year teams are setting up their cars for one of two approaches this Thursday: hellbent for leather, or what the heck and hope we don't get caught in a wreck.  For the latter, next Sunday is all that matters.  As to the former, if it doesn't happen Thursday... don't go away mad, but you're still going away.

Don't forget the "Diary For Dale" contest running throughout the month of February!  You can win one of two 2008 Dale Jr. diecast cars!  Click here for more information!