Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Aric Almirola fastest in final Cup practice at Daytona

By Jeff Owens - Executive Editor
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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Crew members inspect Michael Waltrip's damaged car after he crashed in final Sprint Cup Series practice at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday.

Geoff Burke
Getty Images for NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Aric Almirola led Sprint Cup practice at Daytona International Speedway Wednesday afternoon in a session that featured a wreck involving Jamie McMurray and Michael Waltrip.

Almirola, driving Earnhardt Ganassi Racing’s No. 8 Chevrolet, turned a drafting speed lap of 191.436 mph to edge Matt Kenseth at 191.347 and Jeff Gordon at 191.335.

It was the final practice session before tomorrow’s Gatorade Duel qualifying races, which will set most of the field for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Both McMurray and Waltrip will have to use their backup cars to compete in the qualifying races. They will have to go to the rear of the field for their qualifying race Thursday, and, barring any additional trouble, will not have to go to the rear of the field for the Daytona 500.

Rounding out the top 10 were: Kyle Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota; Robby Gordon’s No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports Toyota; Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Reed Sorenson’s No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Dodge; Marcos Ambrose’s No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Toyota; Regan Smith’s No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet and Kevin Harvick’s No. 29 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Waltrip lost control of his No. 55 Toyota when Kasey Kahne appeared to check up in front of him. Waltrip was hit from behind by David Stremme and collected McMurray, who spun through the frontstretch grass with Waltrip.

Waltrip’s car had to be towed to the garage. He and McMurray both suffered sheet metal damage to their cars.

“It doesn’t look good,” McMurray said. “I’m guessing that they’re going to try to fix it. When the 55 hit me it didn’t really tear up a lot, it just
left a tire flat, and then most of the damage just came from hitting the dirt. I think they’ll fix it.”

Comments

3 responses to "Earnhardt Ganassi Racing's Aric Almirola fastest in final Cup practice at Daytona". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    MrWalleye2U said:
    Feb 11, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    Save your money and pride Mikey. It's time
    to hang it up.

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  2. 2
    said:
    Feb 11, 2009 at 6:19 PM

    Did you not see what happened? Kahne got loose, Michael checked up and Stremme ran in to the 55. Ah...it's called a racing deal. Not Michael's fault, the haters will look for anything. I hope Michael and David have a great year. Good Luck MWR!!

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  3. 3
    Jozef Colomy said:
    Feb 11, 2009 at 9:23 PM

    Pssh don't even try to justify that driving trainwreck they call Michael Waltrip. His quote from the scanner during the Shootout said it all: "Yeah I hit the wall"

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Feb 9, 2010 at 4:52 PM
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Gatorade Duel 1

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