(DAYTONA BEACH, FL) -- The Gatorade qualifying duel on Thursday completed the field for Sunday's Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt Jr. created even more momentum by winning the first of the two qualifying races. Earnhardt also won last Saturday's Bud Shootout at Daytona. "I never thought I would start off at Hendrick this successful. That would be ridiculous for me to have thought that," said Earnhardt.

Although Junior was pleased with winning two races in one week at Daytona, he seemed realistic about what kind of roll he is on. "This is a qualifying race. We didn't have half the field out there. We didn't have half the field out there in the Shootout either. It's going to be a different race on Sunday."

Denny Hamlin gave Toyota its first Cup Series victory by wining the second qualifying race behind the solid preparation work of his crew and Crew Chief, Mike Ford. "Give credit to them and Mike for, obviously, the great handling race car, really couldn't ask too much more of it," said Hamlin. As a matter of a fact, Crew Chief Mike Ford said to watch out for Toyota on Sunday. "We know that one of the three Gibbs cars can win the 500," Ford said.