Earnhardt Jr. wins first Duel at Daytona

Autoracing Betting Lines

02/14/2008 - Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dale Earnhardt Jr. made it two in a row with his new team capturing Thursday's first Gatorade Duel at Daytona race. The No.88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver crossed the finish line 0.145 seconds ahead of Reed Sorenson.

The victory was "Junior's third Duel win. The win means that Earnhardt Jr. will start third in Sunday's 50th running of the Daytona 500. He will be alongside the winner of the second Duel race behind pole winner Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip.

"I hope the fans enjoyed it, it was a fun race," said Earnhardt Jr.

A number of big names had to go to the back because of engine problems during the final practice. They included: pole winner Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears, Earnhardt Jr., Brian Vickers and A.J. Allmendinger.

After the smoke had cleared, Ryan Newman was left to bring the 27-car field to the green flag. But not for long as they traded places on almost every lap. Vickers slowed the field after a spin, but other than that they races under green until Earnhardt Jr. took the lead on lap 18.

Newman challenged "Junior" on lap 22 and they were side-by-side across the stripe, but Earnhardt Jr. fought him off and Newman got back in line behind the No.88 Hendrick Motorsports machine.

In Earnhardt Jr.'s mirror, however, was the No.48 of Johnson who started shotgun on the field, but was fourth after 29 laps.

Green flag pit stops began on lap 30, the halfway mark of the race. "Junior" came in on lap 35 with most of the leaders following him down pit lane.

It didn't take long for Johnson and Earnhardt Jr. to return to the lead group. By lap 38 they were out front, the No.48 Chevy leading Earnhardt Jr., Newman and Juan Montoya.

Twenty laps to go and the two Hendrick Motorsports drivers were hooked up nose-to-tail.

On lap 44 "Junior" tired of following, ducked to the bottom of the track, but no one went with him and he dropped back to seventh. Then Newman dropped to the bottom and Montoya went with him. The two Dodge-powered cars working together got around Johnson and took the lead.

Ten laps to go and Newman along with Reed Sorenson led the way, but "Junior" was charging back towards them. Johnson had fallen off the pace and out of the top-10.

"Junior" dropped to the bottom of the track and again no one went with the No.88. But he didn't need help this time as he powered to the lead and in front of Newman and Sorenson.

"I just let it rip down the back straight," said Earnhardt Jr. "I had fun racing Ryan."

With seven laps to go, Johnson pulled his car on pit road. He didn't need to finish as he was the pole winner for Sunday's race.

Six laps to go and Elliott Sadler slapped the outside wall to bring out the caution flag.

The race would restart with two laps remaining to run.

Earnhardt Jr. began the acceleration with Sorenson, Newman and Mears the top- four. Sorenson gave "Junior" a bump and the two jumped away from the rest of the field. They had almost 10 lengths on third-place Newman. They were not to be stopped and Earnhardt Jr. took his third Duel of Dayton victory.

Newman, Mears and Carl Edwards completed the top-five. Kenny Wallace and Brian Vickers clinched spots in the "Great American Race" by finishing eighth and 11th, respectively.

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