Today, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series locked in the first two positions – the front row – for the Daytona 500. Qualifying presented by Kroger also established the starting lineup for the two Gatorade Duel races that take place on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.

Marcos Ambrose’s fastest lap in the No. 47 Kroger Toyota Camry fielded by JTG Daugherty Racing was the 14th quickest time (47.429 sec. - 189.757 mph) out of 54 cars that attempted to qualify. He will start seventh in the second Gatorade Duel, which is a 150-mile qualifying race.

Ambrose’s teammate Michael Waltrip is in the first Gatorade Duel and he will start 10th. While his other teammates, David Reutimann and Martin Truex Jr., are in the second with him. Reutimann starts 12th and Truex has the 17th starting spot.

Mark Martin won the pole for Daytona 500, which also gives him the top spot in the first Gatorade Duel race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. grabbed the outside pole for the Daytona 500 and the first starting position for the second Gatorade Duel race.

Yesterday, Ambrose was only able to turn two laps during practice before rain fell on the 2.5-mile tri-oval.  The Australian driver was pleased with his qualifying effort.  

“That was way better than what we practiced yesterday,” Ambrose said. “We really had a good pick-up overnight -- the car was a lot better to drive.  It’s like wrestling a bear in there for a couple laps.  These suspension packages to qualify here are very aggressive and I’m just pleased that I kept it on the straight and narrow.

“We’re just pumped up, fizzed up, about the season -- we just can’t wait to go racing,” Ambrose continued.  “We feel like we’ve done a lot of work in the off-season. I had a great off-season and was able to go back to Australia with my family and relax for a while.  I reflected on who I need to be in order to be a better race car driver and now I’m ready to go.

“Today we had pretty stable weather,” Ambrose said. “There was a good bit of wind, but as long as it stays consistent then it should be fine.  That’s all you can ask for -- is for the conditions to stay relatively the same across the whole field because it takes three hours to qualify everyone.”

The Gatorade Duels will air on SPEED Channel beginning at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 11th.