Gatorade race 1: Gordon dominates

Daytona 500 pole sitter Jimmie Johnson fell back after the opening laps, the rookie keen to stay out of trouble ahead of Sunday's big race and retired early after setting some very quick solo laps. His mentor Gordon, meanwhile, was in dominant form and held off a strong challenge from Dale Earnhardt Jr and Ken Schrader on the final lap.

"With these rules this place is back in the drivers' hands," said Gordon. "Junior kept me on my toes, that's for sure. It certainly wasn't easy, even if it looked like it."

Earnhardt Jr finished second, 0.136s behind, with Schrader, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Sterling Marlin rounding out the top six.

Behind them, the race for the final qualifying spots was a tight one as Brett Bodine and Bill Elliott snared the last automatic spots while Matt Kenseth and Johnny Benson will wait to see where their qualifying speeds will force them to line up.

The second race will be a nerve-racking time for Kyle Petty, Ricky Craven and Rick Mast as they wait to see if they will be able to earn spots in the field for Sunday's race.


1, Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
2, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Chevrolet
3, Ken Schrader, Pontiac
4, Ricky Rudd, Ford
5, Terry Labonte, Chevrolet
6, Sterling Marlin, Dodge
7, Kurt Busch, Ford
8, Mike Wallace, Chevrolet
9, Ward Burton, Dodge
10, Dale Jarrett, Ford