Qualifying: Park on pole

The Richard Childress Racing driver was only 18th fastest in practice, but found speed when it counted, lapping the 2.5-mile super speedway in 48.714s. It is Park's first pole since he joined RCR, following his sacking from Dale Earnhardt Inc earlier this year.

Behind the RCR duo, Jeff Gordon was third fastest, ahead of Sterling Marlin. The DEI duo of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Michael Waltrip, regarded by most as the favourites for the race, were fifth and sixth quickest. The team has won eight of the past 10 races to be held at Daytona and Talledega, the two tracks at which NASCAR mandates restrictor plates.

Whilst Chevrolet drivers dominated the front of the grid, Ford continued to struggle with the restrictor plates fitted. Elliott Sadler was the fastest of the marque's cars in ninth, with Dale Jarrett its second-best representative in 16th. The Roush Racing squad struggled badly, with its best car in 30th place. Championship leader Matt Kenseth was forced to use a provisional, and will start 37th.