Daytona at a Glance

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A quick look at today’s Daytona 500:

NO BIG EDGE

Bobby Labonte will start from the pole position in Sunday’s race, but recent history shows that doesn’t give him much of an edge. No driver has won the Daytona 500 from the pole since Bill Elliott in 1987.

LOTS OF WINNERS

There have been nine different winners of the Daytona 500 in the last 11 years, with only Sterling Marlin and Dale Jarrett winning more than once. Among the drivers who never have won NASCAR’s most important race are former series champions Dale Earnhardt (0-19), Terry Labonte (0-19) and Rusty Wallace (0-15).

LONGSHOTS NEED NOT APPLY

Derrike Cope is the only driver in the last 18 years to start outside the top 10 and win the Daytona 500. Cope started 12th in the 1990 race. Since then, every Daytona 500 winner has started seventh or better.

VETERANS WIN QUALIFIERS

Earnhardt and Marlin were the winners in Thursday’s Gatorade Twin 125-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500. Earnhardt took the lead at the start and led all 50 laps in winning his ninth straight and 11th overall Daytona qualifying race. Marlin, making his debut for Team Sabco, outran Dale Jarrett and Bobby Labonte to win his second qualifier.

RECORD STARTS CONTINUE

Dave Marcis made the 43-car starting field for Sunday’s race despite getting involved in a six-car accident early in his 125-mile qualifier and finishing 20th. Marcis, who will turn 57 on March 1, will be starting his 31st consecutive Daytona 500, just one short of the record set by now-retired Richard Petty.

NO BULL FIVE

A $1 million bonus will be paid out by series sponsor Winston if one of five drivers wins Sunday’s race. The quintet, who took the top five spots in the fall race at Talladega, are Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Ken Schrader, John Andretti and Ernie Irvan. The five top finishers on Sunday will then be eligible for a $1 million payoff for winning the Coca-Cola 600 in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

FIRST TIMERS

First time Daytona 500 starters include Billy Standridge, Andy Hillenburg, Kevin Lepage and all three of the drivers vying for 1998 rookie of the year honors: Steve Park, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Jerry Nadeau.

BROTHER ACTS:

Five sets of brothers made the starting lineup for Sunday’s race. Besides Bobby and Terry Labonte, who will start from the front row, there’s Michael and Darrell Waltrip, Ward and Jeff Burton, Rusty and Mike Wallace and Geoff and Brett Bodine. Failing to make the field were Kenny Wallace, Todd Bodine and brothers David and Jeff Green.

QUOTEBOOK

“It took Larry a little while longer to tune in on the Monte Carlos and for me to tune in with Larry and Larry to tune in with me. After having a year under our belt with Larry, and the tuning we’ve done with the team, I’m more confident right now.” Earnhardt talking about his relationship with Larry McReynolds, starting his second year as the team’s crew chief.