Daytona "News" and Notes

Jeff Burton won the pole for tomorrow's race, with Jeff Gordon starting second. The next 30 spots were set by the Gatorade Duels, with the remaining spots being filled...alright, I admit it. I don't understand the qualifying process! Is that so wrong?

Robert Yates has suggested that, if Chad Knaus deliberately broke the rules earlier this week, he should be banned for life. Assuming that he was referring to Major League Baseball's definition of a lifetime ban, Knaus would be returning sometime in July (Source: Steve Howe).

Miller Lite has challenged Budweiser to a unique bet--the team that finished highest in the points gets their paint scheme on the lower-finishing team's car for one race. This is believed to be the first time in history that DEI has turned down the opportunity to run a special paint scheme.

In a related story, BOTH Miller Lite and Budweiser have promised to pay Coors Light $10,000,000 each if David Stremme can make it through the first five races of the year without a DNF.

Carl Edwards is appearing on the cover of ESPN The Magazine this week. If you've seen the picture, then you know why he always says he has problems getting through airport security. Seems they won't let him through...WITH THESE GUNS!!!

Scott Riggs is off to a particularly rough start to the year, after missing the Daytona 500. This was the result of a quirk in Nascar's owner's points rules, which bestowed Riggs' spot in the race to his former soul patch, the listed owner.

ODDS
3:1 The Big One will involve Ryan Newman or Elliott Sadler.
9:2 Someone you thought had retired years ago will be in the top 10 near the end of the race.
50:1 Tony Stewart will do a Rasheed Wallace in the post-race interviews "Good race, Home Depot team worked hard. Good race, Home Depot team worked hard. Good..."