Notes: Waltrip has simple qual procedure for Daytona

Oval Office door quizzical to Johnson; entry list for 500 set

By Sporting News Wire Service
February 7, 2008
04:44 PM EST

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- You'd think a two-time Daytona 500 winner would understand the qualifying process for the race, but Michael Waltrip confesses he's still confused by a unique system that begins with pole day a week before the race and concludes with the Gatorade Duel 150s in between.

Because Waltrip finished 2007 outside the top 35 in owner points, he's not locked into the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17. But the path to a starting spot is simple -- just beat all the other go or go-home cars in your respective qualifying race.

"People try to make racing more complicated than it is," Waltrip said.

"If you're passing cars, that's good. If cars are passing you, that's bad. If you're at home on Sunday when you're supposed to be at the racetrack, that's really bad."

The key, Waltrip says, is simply to finish ahead of every other driver who is trying to race his way into the field on Thursday.

"If you beat all the scrubs, you're in the Daytona 500," he said.

Johnson: Riddle me this

Cup champion Jimmie Johnson had a busy week, with a trip to the Super Bowl followed by a visit to the White House.

Johnson found President George W. Bush engaging and conversational, but the 10-minute meeting didn't involve a subject Johnson has been addressing ad nauseam for months.

"Did the President ask you about Dale Earnhardt Jr.?" Johnson was asked.

"No," was the one-word reply.

Johnson was more impressed with the Oval Office itself, and the riddle it posed.

"One of the things that really surprises me is, when you're in the hallway waiting to go into the Oval Office, the door that leads you in there doesn't have a handle on the outside," he said. "You can see where there's a door, and then you're waiting and waiting, and you're not sure which door is the right door or what's going on. And then the door flies open and there's the President. So, it's weird." (Continued)

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Fast Times in Times Square!

	What: Daytona 500 Viewing Party
	When: 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 17

• Join Q104.3FM personality Ken Dashow for an afternoon of racing, contests and prizes including Fathead wall graphics and Sprint Cup Series apparel.
• The first 50 people in NASCAR Officially Licensed apparel will receive a $20 ESPN Zone gift certificate plus a complimentary game card to play each of ESPN Zone's four racing games in the Sports Arena. Offer begins at 2 p.m. on race day and guests must use the certificate to dine on the same day (one gift certificate per household).
• MVP Club members can request a table online, 24-72 hours in advance. Not a member yet? Go to www.mvpclub.espnzone.com to sign up. Request the Screening Room for the Daytona 500 Viewing Party.
• Minimums of $10 per person per hour will be assessed for all parties. For guests who earn a gift certificate by dressing in NASCAR Officially Licensed apparel, the certificate will cover the minimums for two hours.

Updated: Sunday 9:39 am