Earnhardt tops penultimate practice

Howver, not too much can be read into the overall laptimes in the session, as cars worked hard on perfecting race set-ups.

For the most part the field ran in packs to get used to the aerodynamic draft, and simulating the conditions they will all experience in Sunday's prestigious Daytona 500.

Matt Kenseth was second, bouncing back from his unfortunate qualifying attempt where his engine failed. The 2003 champion will start his Duel at the back of the field as a result. Ryan Newman was third quickest.

Kyle Petty and Kenny Wallace both had scary moments controlling their car in the draft, however both survived unharmed.

Budweiser shootout winner Denney Hamlin and former Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope brushed the wall during the session.

Pos  Driver              Make        Speed
 1.  Dale Earnhardt Jr.  Chevrolet   191.392
 2.  Matt Kenseth        Ford        191.213
 3.  Ryan Newman         Dodge       190.986
 4.  Kevin Lepage        Ford        190.880
 5.  Scott Wimmer        Chevrolet   190.803
 6.  Jeff Green          Chevrolet   190.779
 7.  Kurt Busch          Dodge       190.734
 8.  David Stremme       Dodge       190.698
 9.  Jeff Burton         Chevrolet   190.436
10.  Jamie McMurray      Ford        190.392
11.  Terry Labonte       Chevrolet   190.343
12.  Elliott Sadler      Ford        190.271
13.  Kyle Busch          Chevrolet   190.259
14.  Robby Gordon        Chevrolet   190.178
15.  Mark Martin         Ford        190.170
16.  Dale Jarrett        Ford        190.062
17.  Sterling Marlin     Chevrolet   190.022
18.  Casey Mears         Dodge       190.014
19.  Tony Stewart        Chevrolet   189.829
20.  Mike Wallace        Dodge       189.769
21.  Greg Biffle         Ford        189.753
22.  J.J. Yeley          Chevrolet   189.697
23.  Clint Bowyer        Chevrolet   189.689
24.  Paul Menard         Chevrolet   189.681
25.  Jimmie Johnson      Chevrolet   189.514
26.  Bobby Labonte       Dodge       189.506
27.  Reed Sorenson       Dodge       189.366
28.  Joe Nemechek        Chevrolet   189.235
29.  Jeremy Mayfield     Dodge       189.207
30.  Jeff Gordon         Chevrolet   189.147
31.  Martin Truex Jr.    Chevrolet   189.143
32.  Derrike Cope        Dodge       189.092
33.  Larry Gunselman     Dodge       189.004
34.  Stanton Barrett     Chevrolet   188.897
35.  Brent Sherman       Dodge       188.834
36.  Mike Skinner        Dodge       188.770
37.  Kevin Harvick       Chevrolet   188.667
38.  Kasey Kahne         Dodge       188.667
39.  Carl Edwards        Ford        188.430
40.  Travis Kvapil       Chevrolet   188.296
41.  Kenny Wallace       Chevrolet   188.249
42.  Chad Chaffin        Chevrolet   188.245
43.  Chad Blount         Dodge       188.194
44.  Bill Elliott        Chevrolet   188.084
45.  Michael Waltrip     Dodge       187.868
46.  Scott Riggs         Dodge       187.817
47.  Dave Blaney         Dodge       187.664
48.  Brian Vickers       Chevrolet   187.645
49.  Hermie Sadler       Ford        187.531
50.  Ken Schrader        Ford        187.469
51.  Kyle Petty          Dodge       187.309
52.  Randy LaJoie        Chevrolet   187.227
53.  Morgan Shepherd     Dodge       186.629
54.  Denny Hamlin        Chevrolet   186.625
55.  Kirk Shelmerdine    Chevrolet   186.224
56.  Larry Foyt          Dodge       185.774
57.  Andy Belmont        Chevrolet   183.064
58.  Carl Long           Ford        178.902