Earnhardt sharp in Busch Series win

Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to Daytona’s Victory Lane for the first time in more than two years, winning the Busch Series race Friday night.

Earnhardt took the lead early and dominated the rest of the way, holding off Brian Vickers after a late restart in the Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Vickers finished second, followed by series points leader Kevin Harvick, pole-sitter J.J. Yeley and Carl Edwards.

It was Junior’s first victory at Daytona since Feb. 16, 2004, when he won the rain-delayed Busch Series event a day after taking the checkered flag in the Daytona 500.

Harvick extended his points lead to 388 over Edwards despite starting at the rear of the field. His qualifying time was disqualified and his crew chief was thrown out of Daytona after his car failed inspection before the race.

Nextel Cup

Boris Said can master a superspeedway as well.

The road-racing specialist was the surprising NASCAR Pepsi 400 pole-winner at Daytona International Speedway, posting a lap at 186.143 mph. It was the second pole of his career. The other was at Infineon Raceway’s road course in 2003.

Tony Stewart, the defending race winner, qualified second and will start right next to Said on the front row in tonight’s Nextel Cup race.

David Stremme, a rookie who is having a rough first season, qualified third.

Jeff Gordon, a three-time winner of this race, qualified fourth and was followed by Joe Nemechek, Denny Hamlin, Dale Jarrett, and Martin Truex Jr.

Jimmie Johnson will go for his third restrictor-plate race win this season from the ninth position. Matt Kenseth rounded out the top 10.

Craftsman Trucks

Mike Skinner moved into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ career poles lead, qualifying first for today’s race at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.

It was the 28th career pole for Skinner, moving him one ahead of Jack Sprague.