Being with a new team with no owner points Regan Smith needed to be in the top-three in Pole Day speed to have been assured a starting position for next Sunday's Daytona 500. In order for the rookie driver from Cato, N.Y. to be 100 percent sure of making the 500, he will have to finish in the top-two among the drivers in his qualifying race who are not automatically qualified for the 500. The top-35 drivers in points from the 2006 season gain an automatic berth in the 500.
"I have mixed feelings, " said Smith. " We wanted to run faster and be in the top three today, but we were just a few ticks off. For a new team I am proud of the job everyone did. Our Ginn Resorts Chevy is good, we just need to put ourselves in the right position and race smart during the closing laps in Thursday race. I don't think anyone is going to be timid, including our team."
Thursday's Gatorade Duel races will be televised on SPEED. The first race begins at 2 p.m. ET. Smith, making his first career qualifying attempt in the Nextel Cup Series, posted the 25th fastest time among the 61 cars taking part in Sunday's Pole Day at Daytona International Speedway.
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