The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series line-up for the Coke Zero 400 has been set by points due to cancelation of qualifying.

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Tony Stewart will start from a familiar spot tonight at Daytona International Speedway.

The Sprint Cup points leader was awarded the pole for the Coke Zero 400 when rain washed out qualifying Friday.

It was Stewart’s third pole – all in rainouts – in the last five races. He also started up front at Pocono last month and New Hampshire last week.

“It really doesn’t matter anyway,” he said. “In a Cup race, if your car is good enough to get to the front, you can do it from dead last, so it really doesn’t matter if you start from the pole or not. The advantage is it gives us a good pit selection. That’s what helps. Other than that, it’s really not an issue.”

Starting from the front has proven beneficial for Stewart, though. His first points-race win as a driver/car owner came at Pocono, and he finished fifth at New Hampshire. His only Daytona pole came in July 2005, when he won his first race at NASCAR’s most famous track.

Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards and Denny Hamlin rounded out the first three rows.

Max Papis and Mike Wallace were sent home, unable to attempt to get into the 43-car field. Wallace was scheduled to drive the No. 64 car, the one some believed recently reinstated driver Jeremy Mayfield would try to get into to make his return from a drug suspension.

Car owner Larry Gunselman, citing sponsorship concerns, declined to offer Mayfield a ride.

The field was set by owner’s points for the fourth time this season. Qualifying at Martinsville in March also was rained out.

Greg Biffle and Sam Hornish Jr. will have to start from the back of the field. They were involved in a crash during practice Thursday night, forcing both into backup cars. Under NASCAR rules, cars unable to turn any laps during practice or qualifying have to start at the back of the pack because of safety concerns.

Courtesy: NASCAR Media Relations

Starting Line Up by Row
Daytona International Speedway
COKE ZERO 400 Powered By Coca-Cola (51st Running)
Track Race Record: Cale Yarborough 02/19/70 12:40:48 183.295

Pos Car Driver Team Reason
Row 1: 1 14 Tony Stewart Burger King Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 1
2 24 Jeff Gordon DuPont Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 2
Row 2: 3 48 Jimmie Johnson Lowe's / Kobalt Tools Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 3
4 2 Kurt Busch Miller Lite Dodge 2009 Owner Points 4
Row 3: 5 99 Carl Edwards SUBWAY Ford 2009 Owner Points 5
6 11 Denny Hamlin FedEx Office Toyota 2009 Owner Points 6
Row 4: 7 39 Ryan Newman US Army Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 7
8 18 Kyle Busch Interstate Batteries Toyota 2009 Owner Points 8
Row 5: 9 16 Greg Biffle 3M / Scotch-Brite Ford 2009 Owner Points 9
10 17 Matt Kenseth R & L Carriers Ford 2009 Owner Points 10
Row 6: 11 5 Mark Martin CARQUEST / Kellogg's Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 11
12 42 Juan Pablo Montoya Target Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 12
Row 7: 13 9 Kasey Kahne Budweiser Dodge 2009 Owner Points 13
14 00 David Reutimann Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota 2009 Owner Points 14
Row 8: 15 33 Clint Bowyer Cheerios / Hamburger Helper Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 15
16 31 Jeff Burton Caterpillar Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 16
Row 9: 17 83 Brian Vickers Red Bull Toyota 2009 Owner Points 17
18 47 Marcos Ambrose Kingsford / Clorox / Bush's Baked Beans 2009 Owner Points 18
Row 10: 19 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. National Guard Serving America / AMP 2009 Owner Points 19
20 07 Casey Mears Jack Daniel's Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 20
Row 11: 21 20 Joey Logano # The Home Depot Toyota 2009 Owner Points 21
22 26 Jamie McMurray IRWIN Marathon Ford 2009 Owner Points 22
Row 12: 23 19 Elliott Sadler Stanley Dodge 2009 Owner Points 23
24 1 Martin Truex Jr. Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 24
Row 13: 25 77 Sam Hornish Jr. Mobil 1 Dodge 2009 Owner Points 25
26 43 Reed Sorenson Air Force Dodge 2009 Owner Points 26
Row 14: 27 29 Kevin Harvick Pennzoil Platinum Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 27
28 96 Bobby Labonte Academy Sports & Outdoors Ford 2009 Owner Points 28
Row 15: 29 55 Michael Waltrip NAPA Auto Parts Toyota 2009 Owner Points 29
30 44 A J Allmendinger PVA.org Dodge 2009 Owner Points 30
Row 16: 31 6 David Ragan UPS Ford 2009 Owner Points 31
32 12 David Stremme Penske Dodge 2009 Owner Points 32
Row 17: 33 98 Paul Menard Johns Manville / Menards Ford 2009 Owner Points 33
34 7 Robby Gordon MAPEI / Menards Toyota 2009 Owner Points 34
Row 18: 35 34 John Andretti Taco Bell Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 35
36 09 * Brad Keselowski Miccosukee Indian Gaming & Resort Owner Winner - 2009
Row 19: 37 82 * Scott Speed # Red Bull Toyota 2009 Owner Points 36
38 71 * David Gilliland TRG Motorsports Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 37
Row 20: 39 87 * Joe Nemechek NEMCO Motorsports Toyota 2009 Owner Points 39
40 66 * Dave Blaney PRISM Motorsports Toyota 2009 Owner Points 41
Row 21: 41 36 * Patrick Carpentier Toyota 2009 Owner Points 42
42 37 * Tony Raines Grander Mountain / Remington Dodge 2009 Owner Points 50
Row 22: 43 78 * Regan Smith Furniture Row Chevrolet 2009 Owner Points 40
Did Not Qualify: #13  Max Papis #; #64  Mike Wallace.

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