Daytona 500 attracts 54 entries
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Eighteen drivers will battle for seven open spots as there are 54 entries for the 2010 Daytona 500.
Practice for the race is Friday at Daytona International Speedway with the first round of qualifying – single-car runs – on Saturday. The 150-mile qualifying races Thursday will then determine the remainder of the field.
Of the 54 entries, 35 are guaranteed spots by 2009 owner points. TRG Motorsports driver Bobby Labonte also will be in as the most recent past champion if he fails to qualify through performance on the track.
The top two non-top-35 drivers in each of the qualifying races Thursday get spots in the 500, with the next three positions awarded based on Saturday’s qualifying speeds. The final spot is for a past champion or the next quickest on speed. That means at least three more drivers will know they have qualified for the race following time trials Saturday.
Vying for the seven spots are these 18 drivers: Phoenix Racing’s Aric Almirola, Germain Racing’s Max Papis, Wood Brothers Racing’s Bill Elliott (could also use a past champion if Labonte doesn’t), Kirk Shelmerdine Racing’s Kirk Shelmerdine, Braun Racing’s Reed Sorenson, Tommy Baldwin Racing’s Mike Bliss, Whitney Motorsports’ Terry Cook, BAM Racing’s David Gilliland, Michael Waltrip Racing’s Michael Waltrip, Prism Motorsports’ Michael McDowell, Norm Benning Racing’s Norm Benning, Prism’s Dave Blaney, Cope/Keller Racing’s Derrike Cope, Red Bull Racing’s Scott Speed, Nemco Motorsports’ Joe Nemechek, Keyed-Up Motorsports’ Casey Mears, Brian Keselowski Racing’s Mike Wallace and Nemco Motorsports’ Jeff Fuller.
