Who wins the Daytona 500 pole position is one of two big questions hinging on today's qualifying round. The other: Will Toyota prove it's ready for prime time?
Under the 500's qualifying format, only the pole and the other front-row starting spot for next Sunday's 500 are up for grabs today. The rest of the 43-car lineup will be determined by two 150-mile qualifying heats Thursday.
Today's session also will be one of the early tests for Toyota, whose Camry is being used for the first time in NASCAR's Nextel Cup series by seven drivers and three teams: Bill Davis Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and Team Red Bull.
Only two of those drivers are guaranteed a spot in the season-opening 500. One is veteran Dale Jarrett of Waltrip's team, because Jarrett can use a provisional spot awarded to a past series champion.
The other is Dave Blaney of Davis' team because he's among the 35 drivers automatically in the race based on team owners' points earned last year.
Five other Toyota drivers must race their way into the field on the 2.5-mile, high-banked Daytona International Speedway. They include Red Bull drivers Brian Vickers and A.J. Allmendinger of Hollister, Calif., who is trying to qualify for his first Cup race after leaving the Champ Car open-wheel series.
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