Hamlin wins 2nd Duel; Jarrett qualifies for Daytona 500

By Rea White - Associate Editor
Thursday, February 14, 2008
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the second NASCAR Sprint Cup Gatorade Duel 150 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2008 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

John Harrelson
Getty Images for NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Denny Hamlin gave Toyota its first NASCAR Sprint Cup victory, but it was Dale Jarrett who captured the heart and soul of the Daytona 500.

Jarrett, 51, wanted one more shot in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, and he got it with a gutsy performance – and a little help from teammate Michael Waltrip – in Thursday's second Gatorade Duel 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway. John Andretti made a stunning final-lap charge to bypass Jarrett's teammate, David Reutimann, and grab the other spot reserved for a driver outside the top 35.

"Hopefully we can do some good things on Sunday," Jarrett said. "After that restart, I knew that it was time to go and Michael came back there and gave me some pushes that I needed."

The race was red-flagged for six minutes and four seconds following a crash with three laps to go, setting up a green-white-checkered finish.

Hamlin was pushed and felt he had to go with Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon instead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Tony Stewart on the restart, setting up the final-lap challenge between the pair. Stewart got back to second in the race, locking down the top two spots for Toyota.

After the race, the two agreed that Hamlin had made the only possible move at that point. Gordon finished third, followed by Gillett Evernham Motorsports' Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Mark Martin.

Still, it was Jarrett who stole the show.

Planning to retire after five points races and an appearance in the all-star showdown, Jarrett entered Daytona outside the top 35 in owners points. His qualifying time didn't guarantee him a spot in the race, then Kurt Busch's problems in the opening qualifying race cost him a shot at the past champions provisional. A three-time winner of the prestigious race, Jarrett found himself in the unenviable position of needing to race his way into the 500.

So he went out and did just that.

Jarrett flirted with the second and final spot among the drivers trying to get into the race throughout the second half of the race. Hooking up with teammate Waltrip, who was already locked into the race by virtue of locking down the outside front row qualifying spot, began to help push Jarrett through the field. Locked together, they pushed their way toward the front in the final 20 laps of the race.

He finished ninth.

MWR's Reutimann was black-flagged on the opening lap for jumping the start of the race and Richard Childress Racing's Jeff Burton endured mechanical problems shortly thereafter.

Bill Davis Racing also suffered its share of heartache, as Jacques Villeneuve lost control and crashed out of the race, with Dave Blaney, who raced among the leaders, failed to finish with a blown engine.

Villeneuve lost control and went low on the track, then hit the edge of it coming back up and slammed into the wall, collecting Stanton Barrett, Jamie McMurray and Dario Franchitti. Both McMurray and Franchitti will go to backup cars for the 500, while Barrett failed to make the race.

With three laps to go, Gillett Evernham Motorsports' Patrick Carpentier hit the wall as he battle for position in the closing laps, bringing out the caution flag that led to the green-white-checkered finish. He did not finish high enough to make the race.

Mentioned Drivers: Dave Blaney

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2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings

Driver Standings after the AMP Energy 500

1 Jimmie Johnson 6248
2 Mark Martin -184
3 Jeff Gordon -192
4 Juan Pablo Montoya -239
5 Tony Stewart -279
6 Kurt Busch -312
7 Greg Biffle -340
8 Ryan Newman -402
9 Kasey Kahne -414
10 Carl Edwards -437
11 Denny Hamlin -448
12 Brian Vickers -556

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