The NASCAR Sprint Cup cars were on track Saturday to practice single-car runs in preparation for Sunday's qualifying for the Daytona 500. Veteran and fan-favorite Bill Elliott, above, topped the speed charts in both the morning and afternoon sessions to emerge as a real threat for the pole. Driving the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford, Elliott posted a speed of 187.950 mph in the afternoon session and clocked a 187.645 mph speed in the first practice session.
Only the top two positions are locked in with Sunday's qualifying session. The rest of the spots are determined in the twin Gatorade Duels on Thursday. Elliott -- a two-time Daytona 500 winner -- is not locked into the field in the No. 21 Ford, but he could qualify for the past champions provisional spot if Terry Labonte and Tony Stewart earn spots in the field either by qualifying first or second or racing their way in during the Gatorade Duels.
Bobby Labonte was second fastest in the morning session in his No. 96 Ford, and Martin Truex Jr. posted the second-fastest speed in the afternoon session in his No. 1 Chevy. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was third in both practice sessions. Go here to see more practice speeds and here for Sunday's qualifying order.
-- Michele Vincze
Photo: Getty Images
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