Daytona 500 2012: Bud Shootout or Gatorade Duel, What Is Preferable?

Although the Daytona 500 is typically considered the first event of the NASCAR season, it is actually the third event on the schedule. It is the first race that actually counts for points, but its precursors provide unique excitement to get the race juices flowing.Of these two spectacles prior to the Great American Race, it is difficult to determine which is the better race.At first glance, it seems that the Gatorade Duel would have the edge due to its nature as a qualifying event for the Daytona 500. But, with the state super speedway racing as it stands today, a qualification spot means almost nothing at a track like Daytona. Thus, the Gatorade Duel is not really as important, in real terms, as it may have been in the past.The Bud Shootou...

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