Daytona's focus shifts to the oval the following week. On Saturday, February 7, the ARCA Re/Max series will contest the Advance Discount Auto Parts 200 in the late afternoon. The on-track action continues with the Budweiser Shootout. More than 20 drivers had secured starting spots in the race open to pole winners from the previous season. As mentioned, this year's race will be run under the lights.
On Sunday, February 8, drivers will hit the track for a shot at the front row of the "Great American Race" during Bud Pole Day festivities. Only two drivers will secure a guaranteed starting spot in the Daytona 500. The rest of the field will circle the calendar for Thursday, February 12.
When Thursday arrives, the fields will be lined up for a pair of qualifying races. The Gatorade 125s, affectionately known as the Twin 125s, determine the starting lineup for Sunday's big race. Drivers qualifying in the odd-numbered positions (first, third, fifth, etc.) will line up in the first race. Drivers with even-numbered qualification postings will race in the second event. The fastest two qualifiers are not exempt, even though they have guaranteed spots. For them, it's additional track time. The top 14 finishers from each race (not including the cars already qualified) earn an automatic berth in the Daytona 500. This sets the field at 30 cars. The next six positions go to the cars with the best qualifying times that didn't make the show through the 125-mile qualifier. From there, the standard provisional rules fill the field.
Friday night sees the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck race. Last year, an exciting three-wide finish determined the outcome, which saw Rick Crawford's last lap pass make the difference. The fifth appearance by the trucks at Daytona will be the first under the lights. The race will be preceded by the annual Daytona appearance of the IROC series. This race, which opens the series season, features top drivers from different forms of racing in equally prepared cars.
The Hershey's Kisses 300 for the NASCAR Busch series will offer its share of excitement. Nextel Cup racer Mark Martin is expected to return to the Busch wars for this race on Valentine's Day.
When the green flag flies on Sunday, Michael Waltrip will go to the line as the defending champion after winning the rain-shortened '03 season opener. Waltrip, who scored a superspeedway win at Talladega to add to his Daytona successes, is one of a number of multiple Daytona winners. The event has a history of rewarding veterans and newcomers alike, and starting position has little consequence with regard to outcome.
More to See As you'll note elsewhere in this issue, there's plenty of short-track racing action to complement the superspeedway activity. Additionally, race fans seeking something to do will find plenty of action.
The Ocean Center on Atlantic Avenue will once again host the annual Daytona Beach Motor- Sports Expo. This year's event, co-sponsored by Circle Track, will feature industry exhibits and activities for the racer, no matter what level of involvement. The show, which runs February 11-13, will include seminars and hands-on activity while giving the off-season racer his first look at the parts that will be showing up in Victory Lane at his track in 2004.
Back To School
For those looking for more hands-on experience, Florida is the home of Finish Line Racing School. Under the direction of racing instructor Mike Loescher, Finish Line offers three-day schools that target the future racer and the current racer looking for the next level of success. The classes are designed to eliminate bad habits by offering methods of car control and race tactics. The on-track portion is backed by chassis classes, which focus on proper race car dynamics and chassis setup. The combined package should yield obvious and immediate results.