Travis Pastrana Made the Daytona 500

For most full-time NASCAR teams, qualifying for the Daytona 500 is a formality. Get out there, run the laps, then start wherever after this week's heat races. The main event is such a different animal from others on the calendar that the starting position doesn't quite matter. For the six one-off entries, though, it's a lot harder. There are 42 cars entered for the race, but NASCAR only lets 40 start. The two quickest of those were locked into the field last night, with the other four vying for the remaining two spots in the heat races.

Jimmie Johnson, on his return to part-time competition after two years in IndyCars, and Travis Pastrana, the motocross/rally/gymkhana/action sports star, were the two quickest of the drivers on a limited program and will start the Daytona 500 on Sunday.