Dale Jarrett experienced both ends of the spectrum in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway before finishing the event in 18th place in what was his first event as the driver of the #44 UPS Toyota Camry.
As a result of the selection process in which drivers randomly drew their starting spot, Jarrett started the 70-lap event from the top position. A loose-handling condition in the nose section of the car forced Jarrett to ease the UPS Toyota throughout the first 20-lap segment, at the conclusion of which he was in 21st place. During the 10-minute intermission, crew chief Matt Borland and the UPS Team made dramatic changes to the UPS Toyota, adding a rubber to the rear spring and adjusting the track bar and air pressure in the tires, among other changes.
A number of teams elected to stop to top off their fuel cells prior to the green flag dropping for the start of the second segment. Jarrett started the final 50-lap segment in 12th place. With the loose condition on the UPS Toyota persisting, Jarrett found himself
sliding back through the field when the green flag waved.
The lone caution of the race waved for debris on lap 52. The UPS Team made air pressure adjustments and a chassis adjustment to the car. He was 17th for the restart on lap 57.
Jarrett attempted to make a charge through the field and climbed to 14th before the handling on the UPS Toyota proved to be a handful. Despite the issues Jarrett was able to avoid the big crash of the night that occurred on the last lap when Dale Earnhardt Jr. brushed the backside of Elliott Sadler's car, creating a multi-car incident. Jarrett managed to make it through without any major damage and finished the night in 18th place.
"The car had been loose and I think we may have gone too far to the tight side for that last run,” Jarrett explained after the event. “But it was a learning event for us. Our 500 car is a totally different car and body style than what we had with this car but we
learned some things that will hopefully be helpful for all the Toyota teams when it comes time to race in the Duels on Thursday."
Tony Stewart picked up the win in the Budweiser Shootout Saturday night. The win ties him with Jarrett on the win list with three each. The two former champions are second behind the late Dale Earnhardt who has six wins in the Shootout.
Next on the agenda for the teams of the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is Daytona 500 qualifying which takes place Sunday at 2:10 p.m. EST. The Gatorade Duels will run Thursday, February 15, with the first of the two races beginning at 2 p.m. EST.
