61 cars entered for Daytona 500

[Hoss Ghoul]

http://www.speedtv.com/articles/nascar/nextel/35265/

61 cars will be competing for 43 spots, 35 filled by last years owner points. That leaves 8 spots for 26 drivers including nearly the entire Toyota contingent.

Should be an interesting year, some teams/drivers who have trouble making races early will probably get silly season moving by March...

[muggle not]

I like the idea of lots of cars vying for a limited number of spots. It will put even more importance on qualifying. This is becoming a very, very, interesting year. Toyota, many drivers on new teams, many teams, fewer provisionals,etc.

[jslone]

And not too long ago we were bitching about field fillers.

[djarumdudley]

this year kinda reminds me of 1994. too many teams not enough grid positions, many new teams, several rookies, and a new manufacturer entering the series that caused a lot of debate. only in 94 it was tire maker Hoosier, instead of Toyota.

[Jonesi]

# DRIVER ENTRANT SPONSOR ENGINE
48 JIMMY JOHNSON RICK HENDRICK LOWE'S CHEVY
17 MATT KENSETH JACK ROUSH DeWALT TOOLS / R+L FORD
11 DENNY HAMLIN JOE GIBBS FedEx Express CHEVY
29 KEVIN HARVICK RICHARD CHILDRESS SHELL / PENNZOIL CHEVY
8 DALE EARNHARDT JR TERESA EARNHARDT BUDWEISER CHEVY
24 JEFF GORDON RICK HENDRICK DUPONT / PEPSI CHEVY
31 JEFF BURTON RICHARD CHILDRESS CINGULAR WIRELESS CHEVY
9 KASEY KAHNE RAY EVERNHAM DODGE DLRS / UAW DODGE
6 DAVID RAGAN JACK ROUSH AAA.com FORD
5 KYLE BUSCH RICK HENDRICK KELLOGG'S / CAR QUEST CHEVY
20 TONY STEWART JOE GIBBS HOME DEPOT CHEVY
99 CARL EDWARDS JACK ROUSH OFFICE DEPOT FORD
16 GREG BIFFLE JACK ROUSH AMERIQUEST / 3M FORD
42 JUAN MONTOYA SABATES/GANASSI TEXACO/HAVOLINE DODGE
25 CASEY MEARS RICK HENDRICK NATL GUARD / GMAC CHEVY
2 KURT BUSCH PENSKE SOUTH MILLER LITE / KODAK DODGE
07 CLINT BOWYER RICHARD CHILDRESS JACK DANIEL'S / DIRECTV CHEVY
12 RYAN NEWMAN PENSKE SOUTH ALLTEL / MOBIL1 / KODAK DODGE
1 MARTIN TRUEX JR TERESA EARNHARDT BASS PRO SHOPS CHEVY
10 SCOTT RIGGS RAY EVERNHAM VALVOLINE / STANLEY DODGE
43 BOBBY LABONTE PETTY ENTERPRISES CHEERIOS / B. CROCKER DODGE
88 RICKY RUDD ROBERT YATES SNICKERS / PEDIGREE FORD
41 REED SORENSON SABATES/GANASSI TARGET / TUMS / FUJI DODGE
26 JAMIE McMURRAY JACK ROUSH CROWN ROYAL / IRWIN FORD
38 DAVID GILLILAND ROBERT YATES M & M'S / PEDIGREE FORD
96 TONY RAINES HOF RACING DLP / HDTV / CC CHEVY
22 DAVE BLANEY BILL DAVIS CATERPILLAR TOYOTA
01 MARK MARTIN GINN RACING U.S. ARMY CHEVY
66 JEFF GREEN GENE HAAS BEST BUY / SAMSUNG CHEVY
18 J.J. YELEY JOE GIBBS INTERSTATE BATTERIES CHEVY
7 ROBBY GORDON ROBBY GORDON JB / MENARD'S / HARRAH'S FORD
40 DAVID STREMME SABATES/GANASSI COORSLIGHT/LONESTAR DODGE
21 KEN SCHRADER WOOD BROS LITTLE DEBBIE / USAF FORD
19 ELLIOTT SADLER RAY EVERNHAM DODGE DLRS / UAW DODGE
45 KYLE PETTY PETTY ENTERPRISES WELLS FARGO / BRAWNY DODGE
4 WARD BURTON MORGAN / MCCLURE STATE WATER HEATERS CHEVY
13 JOE NEMECHEK GINN RACING CertainTeed CHEVY
14 STERLING MARLIN GINN RACING PANASONIC / WM CHEVY
15 PAUL MENARD TERESA EARNHARDT MENARDS / JM CHEVY
36 JEREMY MAYFIELD BILL DAVIS 360 OTC TOYOTA
44 DALE JARRETT MICHAEL WALTRIP UNITED PARCEL SERVICE TOYOTA
49 MIKE BLISS BAM RACING WHATSONLINE.COM DODGE
55 MICHAEL WALTRIP MICHAEL WALTRIP NAPA AUTO PARTS TOYOTA
70 JOHNNY SAUTER GENE HAAS YELLOW / HAAS CHEVY
78 KENNY WALLACE JOE GARONE FURNITURE ROW CHEVY
83 BRIAN VICKERS MARTY GAUNT REDBULL TOYOTA
84 AJ ALLMENDINGER MARTY GAUNT REDBULL TOYOTA
00 DAVID REUTIMANN MICHAEL WALTRIP BURGER KING / DOMINO'S TOYOTA
23 MIKE SKINNER BILL DAVIS TBD TOYOTA
27 KIRK SHELMERDINE KIRK SHELMERDINE LILLY TRUCKING CHEVY
30 STANTON BARRETT RICK WARE BAD BOYS POWER DRINK CHEVY
39 REGAN SMITH GINN RACING GINN CLUBS & RESORTS CHEVY
58 JAMES HYLTON J.C. WEAVER RETIREMENT LIVING CHEVY
60 BORIS SAID MARK SIMO SOBE / NO FEAR FORD
71 FRANK KIMMEL ANDY HILLENBURG FAST TRACK DRIVING SCHL FORD
74 DERRIKE COPE RAYNARD McGLYNN McGLYNN RACING.COM DODGE
04 ERIC McCLURE LARRY McCLURE HEFTY BRAND DODGE
09 MIKE WALLACE JAMES FINCH MICCOSUKEE GAMING CHEVY
34 KEVIN LEPAGE BRAD JENKINS OAK GLOVE CO DODGE
37 BILL ELLIOTT RJ RACING tba DODGE
72 BRANDON WHITT BRYAN MULLET DUTCH QUALITY CHEVY

[jeffconn]

can someone put down which teams have to qualify on speed? also, are there any backdoor deals to buy a top 35 spot, like Mikey Waltrip pulled last year before the 500?

[Jonesi]

can someone put down which teams have to qualify on speed? also, are there any backdoor deals to buy a top 35 spot, like Mikey Waltrip pulled last year before the 500?

On my above post everyone below Jarrett needs to get in on speed if the fastest two, or by race finish postion in the duels. The partial season guys start at #23 Skinner.

[Hoss Ghoul]

Just to clarify one thing:

No top 35 spots are for sale, or will be. Those are top teams with full sponsorships, etc. Michael Waltrip bought his way into Indy after missing the field on qualifying(and having used all of his provisionals), the car he bought was another backmarker who had made it on speed. EDIT: Are you talking about Waltrip taking his NAPA sponsorship to BDR before the 500? I thought he was just shopping for the best one shot deal most offseason?



Toyota has 2 cars locked into the field. Jarrett and Dave Blaney(using Bill Davis/Michael Waltrip's owners points from the Dodge they ran last year). EDIT: Oh, I guess Mayfield is in as well, forgot that one. Good list Jonesi.

I'd be surprised if more than 4-5 Toyota's make the field.

[Lee Roy]

can someone put down which teams have to qualify on speed? also, are there any backdoor deals to buy a top 35 spot, like Mikey Waltrip pulled last year before the 500?

http://www.jayski.com/next/2007/1dis2007.htm


Entry List for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway is up, 58 drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including:
these drivers who need to get in on speed and are NOT in a 2006 Top-35 Owners Points Position:
Not in top 35 of 2006 owners points (2006 race attempts in parens):
#00-David Reutimann (36 races attempted by team in 2006, using #32 points)
#04-Eric McClure (1)
#09-Mike Wallace (20)
#4-Ward Burton (36)
#13-Joe Nemechek (0)
#14-Sterling Marlin (36)
#15-Paul Menard (8)
#23-Mike Skinner (9)
#27-Kirk Shelmerdine (16)
#30-Stanton Barrett (3)
#36-Jeremy Mayfield (0)
#39-Regan Smith (0)
#44-Dale Jarrett [CH1](none)
#49-Mike Bliss (36)
#55-Michael Waltrip (36)
#58-James Hylton (0)
#60-Boris Said (5)
#70-Johnny Sauter (2)
#71-Frank Kimmel (0)
#74-Derrike Cope (25)
#78-Kenny Wallace (36)
#83-Brian Vickers (1)(won in 2006)
#84-A.J. Allmendinger (2)
not on prelim entry list but expected to be added to total 61:
#34-Kevin Lepage (35)
#37-Bill Elliott [CH2](14)
#72-Brandon Whitt (11)
In the unlikely event that qualifying and the qualifying races were rained out..
the eight who would make it [8]: #'s 44,37,83,14,00,55,4,49
missing the race would be [18]: #'s 78,34,74,27,72,15,09,60,23,30,70,84,04,13,36,39,58 ,71
(2-8-2007)

[muggle not]

No matter how you cut it there is going to be a whole bunch of known drivers going home who don't make the cut. Looks like the competition jusat got tight.

[dwboogityfan]

Am really nervous that Sterling could miss the Daytona 500. Will be much happier if he times his way in tomorrow.
I would be surprised if more than two of the Toyotas make the show alongside DJ and Blaney. Think Mayfield is the most likely along with Waltrip.

[RaceFanStan]

Several previous Daytona 500 winners risk missing the 2007 Daytona 500 ...
Ward Burton('02), Michael Waltrip('01&'03), Sterling Marlin('94&'95) & Bill Elliott('85&'87)
Note: Dale Jarrett ('93,'96,&'00) has the previous champion's provisional & is guaranteed to start.

[dwboogityfan]

Congratulations to Boris Said, Johnny Sauter and my man Sterling for making the 500 on speed. Not too surprised by Sterling or Boris but Sauter was a pleasant surprise.
However, isn't it stupid that David Reutimann was an excellent 14th fastest yet could well miss the 500. Well done for that stupid rule NASCAR.

[jeffconn]

So, if my figuring is correct, there are 22 drivers shooting for 4 spots. Wow. Those are going to be some nailbiting twin races this Thursday.

[Jonesi]

Congratulations to Boris Said, Johnny Sauter and my man Sterling for making the 500 on speed. Not too surprised by Sterling or Boris but Sauter was a pleasant surprise.
However, isn't it stupid that David Reutimann was an excellent 14th fastest yet could well miss the 500. Well done for that stupid rule NASCAR.

Even with the old rules there was always someone with a +95% chance of getting into the D500. For Reutimann to miss, neither he, Said, Sauter or Marlin can finish in the two transfer spots in either Duel. If any of the four do then he's in, if two do then Mayfield is in too.

[RaceFanStan]

Congratulations to Boris Said, Johnny Sauter and my man Sterling for making the 500 on speed. Not too surprised by Sterling or Boris but Sauter was a pleasant surprise.
However, isn't it stupid that David Reutimann was an excellent 14th fastest yet could well miss the 500. Well done for that stupid rule NASCAR.
Yep, Boris & Sterling should be in for sure on speed even with the top 35 rule. :D :up: