Michael Waltrip high-fives members of his crew after edging Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the first race of the Gatorade Duel. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Waltrip, Earnhardt up front again at Daytona

Waltrip edges Earnhardt to win first 150-miler

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Those reports of the DEI team's demise at Daytona may have been a bit premature.

GATORADE DUEL •   Race 1 results •   Race 2 results

Michael Waltrip passed his teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the outside in the final straightaway Thursday to win the first of two 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500.

"I plan out moves like that all the time and they never work," said two-time Daytona winner Waltrip, who won by .030 seconds -- about half a car length. "After practice yesterday, I knew we'd be a force in the 150 and the Daytona 500."

Winning timeMichael Waltrip edges Dale Jr. to win race 1 of the Gatorade Duel Nowhere to goKahne and Edwards are involved in a multi-car wreck Early wreckThe hopes of some to make the Daytona 500 are dashed early Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

A lot of other people weren't so sure after Earnhardt appeared down on power in the non-points Budweiser Shootout and practice and Waltrip also seemed to be struggling.

While defending Daytona winner Earnhardt fought for much of Thursday's 60-lap race at Daytona International Speedway with an ill-handling car, Waltrip move up among the leaders and led midway through the race.

"Just to be able to finish second, I feel lucky," Earnhardt said. "He (Waltrip) did what he had to do. He did the right moves."

Mike Skinner, now a regular in NASCAR's Craftsman Truck series and planning to drive a handful of Nextel Cup races for Bill Davis Racing, led after the third caution flag of the race. He appeared on the way to victory until the DEI cars ganged up on him at the end.

Daytona 500 Lineup Pos. Driver Make 1. Dale Jarrett Ford 2. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 3. Michael Waltrip Chevy 4. Tony Stewart Chevy 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy Complete lineup, click here

Skinner, who made it into Sunday's 43-car field thanks to his qualifying speed in time trials last Sunday, wound up third, followed by Ryan Newman, Ricky Rudd, defending Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch and two-time Daytona 500 winner Jeff Gordon.

A rule change this year guaranteed the top 35 teams in car owner points starting spots in the race field. Four more drivers made it on speed and the final four positions were up for grabs Thursday -- two in each race.

Kenny Wallace finished 10th putting him into the main event.