Countdown to Daytona,Harvick wins shootout

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Posted: Thursday February 12, 2009 3:40PM; Updated: Thursday February 12, 2009 5:33PM

Gordon, Busch win duel qualifying races at Daytona

Story Highlights:
Jeff Gordon won the first of two duels giving him a spot in Daytona 500
It was his first trip to Victory Lane since October of 2007
Kyle Busch won the second qualifying race for his spot at Daytona


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Kyle Busch won the second Daytona 500 qualifying race, holding off Mark Martin in a frantic push to the finish.

Busch will now start in the second row of Sunday's season-opening race. Jeff Gordon earned the other spot by winning the first of Thursday's twin 150-mile races.

Four spots were up for grabs to cars not otherwise qualified for NASCAR's biggest event of the year. Those went to Jeremy Mayfield and AJ Allmendinger, who raced their way in during the second event, and Scott Riggs and Regan Smith, who earned the two spots from the first race.

Allmendinger failed to qualify for the 500 driving for Red Bull Racing in his first two NASCAR seasons, but finally got a spot in an entry fielded by Richard Petty Motorsports.