MWR moves on, puts all three cars into 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- His former team owner, Felix Sabates, gave him a thumbs-up and a smile. His wife Buffy greeted him with a big hug. His crew chief Scott Eggleston was moved nearly to tears.

Hours after debating whether to even compete in the first of Thursday's twin 150-mile qualifying races, the driver at the center of NASCAR's cheating controversy finished eighth at Daytona International Speedway to secure a spot in the Daytona 500. But Michael Waltrip did more than that -- he led all three cars from Michael Waltrip Racing into the sport's biggest event.

"As bleak as everything might have looked, right now we're on top of the world," Dale Jarrett said. "I told Michael before this race that if anybody could drive it in, it would be him. He went out and did it. This is just huge for our entire race team. When the boss of your company isn't happy, things aren't looking too good for everybody else. He just took a tremendous load off himself and everybody else."

Jarrett will race Sunday using a past champion's provisional. Waltrip, needing to finish in the top two among the drivers not already qualified, came from the rear of the field to place first among the non-qualifiers. And Boris Said's second-place finish among non-qualifiers opened another Daytona 500 starting spot based on qualifying times, letting David Reutimann slip in before his 150-miler even began.

"I didn't want to taint this wonderful race," Waltrip said. "I just didn't know if going on the track would be right. I missed all of practice and started last and still made it. All three of our Toyota Camrys are in the race, and that's cool. I'm probably the most depressed guy you've ever seen make the Daytona 500."

Added Lee White, vice president of Toyota Racing Development: "Michael Waltrip carried two cars on his back. That's 7,000 pounds, a pretty heavy load for a guy."

Reutimann needed the help. He conservatively retired his No. 00 car early in the second qualifier because of an engine issue.

"I was on top of my trailer with my head in my hands just praying, man. That's all I could do to keep from going nuts," Reutimann said. "They say its official, but I'm hoping there isn't a recount or anything. It is Florida, after all."

This entire week has been a heavy load for Waltrip, whose crew chief and director of competition were suspended after what appeared to be an illegal fuel additive was found in the manifold of his No. 55 car after front-row qualifying Sunday. David Hyder was fined $100,000 -- a record for a crew chief -- while Waltrip was docked 100 driver points and 100 owner points. (Continued)