Duel at the Daytona Corrall

What do we know after yesterdays two Gatorade Duel races ?

Firstly the field is now set for Sundays running of the Daytona 500!


http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2012/story/_/page/01-Daytona-Qualifying-Lineup

We know the big race could be a race of two halves. The first, fairly laid back, just getting some laps in, trying a few things out, settling the car in to the track, seeing how the draft works, and seeing how the engine temperatures change when bump drafting, a lot like the second Duel race. The second half could be a real eye opener, just like the first Duel race. Full of action, wrecks and riches for the victor.

We know that not only does tandem drafting work, for as long as the engine temps can handle it, but we also know that the old fashioned draft works very well too! Just look at the run the 88 had on the 14 on the last lap of the first Duel when the yellow flag came out. Was Smoke really going to win that race had it stayed green?



We know that Danica was very unlucky! We must also be impressed with not only what she did with her hands as she approached the inside wall, but also her attitude to the whole weekend, learn and gain respect first and results will come!

We know that as a young, inexperienced rookie, Michael Waltrip is likely to make silly mistakes...

We also know that the 500 is a long race, and a different prospect completely to the Shootout and the Duels.

So I guess that means we don't know all that much after all!