Earlier today, Jimmie Johnson won the pole for the Daytona 500. This is no surprise being that Johnson is the 2-time defending champion in the newly named Sprint Cup series and over the past few seasons, Johnson has adapted well to the craziness that is restrictor plate racing. The Hendrick cars looked very strong in qualifying, as did many of the Toyotas, and in particular, Michael Waltrip. Waltrip qualified just behind Johnson on the grid and concluded an incredible comeback from an embarrassing season that began at this time last year, when his team failed a post-qualifying inspection and were never competitive for the rest of the season. Both Waltrip and Johnson’s spots on the grid are set; but, everyone else’s starting positions will be set by their finish in the Gatorade Duels, which take place on Thursday.

(Photo of Jimmie Johnson by Kim Phillips)

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