The Daytona 500 is arguably the most historic of the NASCAR races. It comes as no surprise that most drivers dream of starting at Daytona with the pole position. This year, Danica Patrick made it hers. Having the fastest lap of 196.434 mph, Patrick is set to start at the front of the pack at Daytona.
Danica Patrick has been breaking barriers since she started racing, and those in the know including her fellow drivers, expected her to take the pole. On top of that, this is only the second time that a rookie made pole position. Though Patrick has been driving professionally for several years, she has been racing with open-wheel Indy cars. The last time a rookie took pole position was Jimmie Johnson in 2002.
Sitting up front, with the lead before the race even starts is not a guarantee of a win. It is a distinct advantage but it takes a lot more than being in front at the start to stay in front at the end of the race. Of the first 54 Daytona 500 races, only nine cars starting at the pole won the race. Patrick had won pole at Daytona before, in the NASCAR second division Nationwide Series. She ended up in 38th place.
There is still an off chance that she would not be at pole at the start of the race. Jeff Gordon had the second fastest speed and will be running beside her up front. Patrick and Gordon are assured of spots at the Daytona 500. However, there are still two qualifying races on Thursday. If they wreck their cars during the qualifying or for any reason have to use their backup cars instead, they will be relegated to the back of the starting field.
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