What is the purpose of today's Daytona qualifying race?

Question

I'm new to the sport I know most races use a qualifying race why is Daytona different, and how does it work

Answer 1

Well they do it different b/c the Daytona 500 is the big opening race of the season, everyone wants to win a Daytona 500 race, it's like the superbowl of NASCAR, and many ppl try to get that chance each year. 1st and 2nd place are already locked in. The Duels are two 60 lap races that determine where the rest of the drivers start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.



Here is a full detailed explination of the races from Wikipedia

Gatorade Duel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gatorade Duels
Venue Daytona International Speedway
Corporate sponsor Pepsico
First race 1959
Distance 150 miles (241 km)
Number of laps 60
Previous names:
100 Mile Qualifying Races (1959-1967)
125 Mile Qualifying Races (1969-1980)
UNO Twin 125 Qualifiers (1981-1984)
7-Eleven Twins (1985-1987)
Twin 125 Qualifiers (1988-1989)
Gatorade Twin 125 Qualifiers (1991-1993)
Gatorade Twin 125s (1994-1996)
Gatorade 125s (1997-2004)

The Gatorade Duel, is NASCAR Nextel Cup preliminary event to the Daytona 500 held annually in February at Daytona International Speedway. It consists of two 150-mile races, and serves as a qualifying race for the Daytona 500. The finishing order in the two 150-mile races, held on Thursday, determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 held on Sunday.

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unique in NASCAR. Only the two front row starters (the pole position and "outside pole") are determined by the ordinary qualifying process of timed laps. After the top two positions are locked in, the rest of the starting grid is set by the finishing order of these two races. Drivers participate in one of the two races. Half the field entered for the Daytona 500 races in the first race, and the other half the second. The finishing order of the first race fills the odd positions of the starting grid (inside of each row), and the finishing order for the second race fills the even positions of the starting grid (outside of each row)."

Answer 2

Before the top 35 in owners points this race was to set the field,now it only sets 4 cars.
As Daytona being the first race of the season this is a show case so more people can race(usually 55 to 65 cars show up) and more spectators can see the racing.

Answer 3

this determines the lineup at start of Daytona....
THe Shootout Sat was not gaining points, just money and a spot to start in the qualifying race....then Sun they lined up in those positions and qualified for Daytona

Answer 4

It is the only race in the world where you can race into the big race. About 60 cars try out. Only 43 are allowed in the field.

Answer 5

It helps determine how the drivers line up for the race on Sunday. Their starting position deals with the times they put up this past weekend and their standing from the duel.

Answer 6

to determine the drivers starting position in sundays points race with the exception of the first & second drivers already lined up to start 1st & 2nd