The Daytona 500 uses a different qualifying procedure than any other race in the world. On qualifying day, Saturday, Feb. 6, the fastest two cars “lock in” their starting spots for the Daytona 500, earning the pole and outside pole positions, respectively.

WHEN: Saturday at 1pm Eastern on Fox

The fastest qualifier earns the pole for both the Daytona 500 and the first 150-mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the polesitter, the odd-number positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the final 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner points standings are assigned to the first Duel race.

The second-fastest qualifier earns the outside pole for the Daytona 500 and starts on the pole for the second 150- mile Gatorade Duel qualifying race. In addition to the second-fastest qualifier, the even-number positions (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) of the highest-ranked 35 finishers in the final 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner points standings will be assigned to the second Duel event.

The lineup for each qualifying race is set based upon the qualifying speeds in the time trials for all cars, including those who are among the highest-ranked 35 in the final 2009 car owner point standings. The highest-ranked 35 des- ignation does not determine the car’s starting position, only the assignment of its 150-mile qualifying event.

Additional cars that are not among the highest-ranked 35 in the final 2009 car owner points are alternated between the first and second 150-mile qualifying events using an odd-even format. The odd-number positions are assigned to the first event while the even-number positions are assigned to the second event. The odd-even positions are not determined by where the car qualified in the overall field, but their specific qualifying order among those cars not part of the highest-ranked 35 group.

A maximum of 66 cars are permitted to compete between the two qualifying races, and all cars must compete in one of these events to be eligible for the Daytona 500.
Starting positions for the Daytona 500 are designated for the highest-ranked 35 positions from the final 2009 car owner point standings from each Duel race, the two-highest finishing cars in each Duel race not among that highest- ranked 35 group and the two front-row qualifiers.

The balance of the 43-car field is filled by the fastest remaining qualifiers who have not already earned a starting posi- tion, with the exception of the 43rd position which is assigned to an eligible former or current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

Should there not be an eligible champion; the position is assigned to the next fastest qualifier not in the field.