Lap-by-Lap: Daytona (cont'd)

Lap 9 -- GREEN FLAG: Denny Hamlin gets the race back under way with a single-file restart.

Lap 7 -- Dale Jarrett makes a pit stop for several adjustments, followed by a handful of other go-or-go-home drivers who started the race with a qualifying setup.

Lap 5 -- Kasey Kahne is on pit road to try and repair the right-side damage. He also has a huge dent in the left-front fender. Jeff Green goes to the garage.

Lap 4 -- YELLOW FLAG NO. 1: Jeff Green and Kasey Kahne get together in the tri-oval and crash. Green has the most damage. Kahne brushed the wall and has some nose damage.

Lap 3 -- LEAD CHANGE: Denny Hamlin gets out front by himself, followed by Tony Stewart.

Lap 1 -- Jeff Gordon inches ahead of Denny Hamlin to lead the first lap as everyone is two-by-two in the draft. Elliott Sadler drops back for the start.

8:23 p.m. -- GREEN FLAG: Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin get the Pepsi 400 under way from Daytona International Speedway. Elliott Sadler begins the race without first or second gear.

8:15 p.m. -- To honor Bill France Jr., a 44th car is on the track leading the pace laps. It's all white and driven by seven-time Cup champion Richard Petty, a tribute to France from the King.

8:13 p.m. -- Cars are rolling onto the racetrack. Ricky Rudd will start at the rear of the field for adjustments to his car on an impound weekend.

8:08 p.m. -- Kevin James from the new movie I now pronounce you Chuck & Larry: "I've just got three things to say: God bless our troops. God bless America. And GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!"

8:01 p.m. -- America's Got Talent winner Bianca Ryan sings the national anthem.

8 p.m. -- Moment of silence in memory of Bill France Jr. Tim Mann delivers the invocation

6:30 p.m. -- TNT's pre-race coverage is on the air.

6:20 p.m. -- No rain is at Daytona, but the cars are covered as pre-race ceremonies for Saturday night's Pepsi 400 loom.

WEEKEND HEADLINES FROM DAYTONA
• DEI: Junior's replacement may be in place by late July
• NASCAR's premier series renamed Sprint Cup for '08
• DEI/RCR engine to make its debut in Daytona race
• Caraviello: For crew chiefs, gray area no limited to cars
• Gordon to start from pole after rain washes out quals
• Notebook: Earnhardt adds adidas to sponsor list
• At the center of penalties, Darby remains steadfast
• Notebook: Practices see different drivers at the top
• Officials put crew chiefs on guard for further sanctions
• Former 500 winners gather for special Daytona reunion
• Good finishes for Truex keep team morale at peak
• Edwards' team working to improve pit stops, finishes
• Busch would welcome help from unlikely source at DIS
• Marlin looking to cut back, but never short on stories