Kurt Busch And Burton Win Gatorade Duels

Daytona Beach, Fla. – Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton powered their way to victory in the two Gatorade Duel races at the Daytona International Speedway on Thursday afternoon.

On Saturday evening, Busch rocketed to victory in the Budweiser Shootout and he returned to victory lane five days later after winning the first Gatorade Duel of the day. The Nevadan pushed his Shell/Pennzoil Dodge to victory in a green-white-checkered finish. Running third after a late-race caution period and with a boost from Regan Smith, the pair blazed past Kasey Kahne and Juan Pablo Montoya to finish first and second.

In the second Duel, Jeff Burton had the strong hand in the Caterpillar Chevrolet and aided by teammate Clint Bowyer in the Cheerios/Hamburger Helper Chevrolet. The Virginia driver won for the first time in Speedweeks and the second-time ever at Daytona.

The second 150-mile race had many more thrilling moments than did the first Duel. Swarms of cars were running close together throughout to the delight of the crowd, and a record 22 lead changes took place.

Said Kurt Busch about his victory in the opening stanza, “This is sweet, and it is an overall team effort. We are starting out strong and this new draft is something special. Regan Smith is an awesome competitor and he runs so well on these tracks. There are so many different scenarios in play, and like roulette you have to see whether the marble will land on your number.

“It is all about the awesome power of these Dodge engines. The car is the double deuce, and it is bright, yellow and fast, but Sunday (the Daytona 500) will be a whole different game.”

Smith drove his Front Row Furniture Chevrolet to second place, running with the leaders throughout the 62-lap race.

Kevin Harvick, one of eight leaders, led 12 laps and ended up in third place in the Budweiser Chevrolet.

Matt Kenseth was fourth followed by Kahne, Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Mark Martin, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman.

Jimmie Johnson took 11th place with Dale Earnhardt Jr. 13th. The latter ran as high as sixth place midway through the race.

Based on strong finishes Bill Elliott (15th) and J. J. Yeley (17th) raced their way into the Daytona 500 starting field.

“An old dog like me learned a lot today,” Elliott said. “And I am so proud of this James Finch team.”

Stated Yeley, “I thought the cards were stacked against us going into this race, but Marcos Ambrose pushed me through the field. He stuck with me all the way, and it is a huge accomplishment to make the Daytona 500.”

Regarding his victory in the second Duel, Burton said, “There should be two cars in victory lane, as Clint (Bowyer) and I worked well together. He pushed me and I pushed him. As drivers for this team, we are committed to working together. This is a great start for the season for us, and we are very proud of it.”

Said Bowyer of the finish, “It was fun to push your teammate to a win. The second Duel was more intense than the first one. I about fell asleep in the first one.”

Michael Waltrip raced his NAPA Auto Parts Toyota to third place, giving him a starting spot in his 25th consecutive Daytona 500. “It was fun to race in the front of the field,” he said. “I got into Clint (Bowyer) a little bit, which I am sorry about it. It feels good to be in the 500.”

Kyle Busch jockeyed throughout the field to garner fourth place. Midway through the race he tapped teammate Denny Hamlin, spinning him around. The two were drafting and came upon slower moving cars, setting up their incident.

Hamlin returned to the field to finish eighth.

Helped immensely by his younger brother, Brad Keselowski, Brian Keselowski drove to fifth place from the last starting position to gain a starting position in the 500. He drove an old family-owned Dodge.

Keselowski said of his accomplishment, “It feels awesome and I wouldn’t be here without Brad. My brother must be the best pusher out here, and I don’t think anyone else would have stuck with me this long. It goes to show you that everyone can have their day.”

2010 Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray overcame a slow pit stop to take sixth place with Brad Keselowski seventh ahead of Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr. and Carl Edwards.

Jeff Gordon and rookie Trevor Bayne were headed for a top finish until Gordon got out of shape on the last lap. As a result, Bayne spun and was collected by David Ragan. The two damaged cars stopped just short of the finish line.

Gordon claimed 12th place.

Thirty-five cars were locked into the Daytona 500 field, and the final eight starting positions set based on time trials, finishes in the Duel and champion’s provisional. These drivers are Waltrip, Travis Kvapil, Joe Nemechek, Brian Keselowski, Dave Blaney, Elliott, J. J. Yeley and Terry Labonte.

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