Start your engines and head to NASCAR, Feb. 23, 2012

Duels Day at Daytona

Today everyone (except the Number 1 and 2 spots) are vying for their starting positions for the 500 on Sunday. While Numbers 1-35 have qualified for their positions through a point system, there are more drivers that will qualify today in two races called duels to add eight more drivers and bring the field for Sunday to a total of 43.

We got to the track early today, Jeff, Sue, Joe, Verlie and me. The trucks were running practice and qualifying runs for the race tomorrow night.

The pace car sets off leading the pack out of the pit area.

Then came the duels. There were two separate races, 60 laps each. While the second race was relatively quiet with no crashes, the first race had a crash that made you cringe. Danica Patrick, who I was rooting for in the lime green Go Daddy car, crashed in the last lap.

Danica Patrick in the lime green Go Daddy No. 10 car.

The pack coming around the turn.

Danica Patrick crash (lifted from the replay).

It was a scarey moment for fans who were watching as she got pushed and then went into the wall. She bounced off and the car pretty much disintegrated. She was okay, but it was a spectacular crash. She's still in the race on Sunday, as well as the Nationwide on Saturday.