Go! Or go home.

Michael Waltrip has every right to be the most relaxed man on the planet right now. I’ll try to explain why.

The thing is, this might be the most harrying week of the season for anyone who doesn’t drive for Hendrick.

Even after this past weekend’s qualifying runs, only the number one and two cars – Jimmie Johnson and Michael Waltrip – have locked their places for the main race. (There’s a reason why Johnson won the DOTY award twice.)

The rest of the field gets decided in two Duel 150s on Thursday. As if that’s not enough pressure going into a race I recently heard described as the “Super Bowl of NASCAR,” only the top 35 in owner points from last season are guaranteed a spot. Waltrip was not one of those 35.

In case you don’t know the rules for Daytona 500 qualifying, let me fill you in: The Daytona 500 field is composed of the top 35 in owner points from last year plus the two highest-finishing cars from each of the Duel 150s not already in the race. In addition, four cars not otherwise qualified after the Duels are added to the field based on qualifying speed from this past Sunday, unless a past champion not otherwise qualified claims the 43rd starting position.

In other words, a past champion who a) wasn’t in the first 35, b) didn’t get a top-four time this past Sunday, and c) doesn’t get a top two time in his respective race this coming Thursday, could still claim the 43rd spot, knocking out ninth-fastest driver Boris Said, who’s No. Four among those not already locked in.

Really.

Reread my first sentence. Make sense now?

A few other notes:
a) Lewis Franck got to see Dale Jr.'s stand-up comedy debut.

b) ChampCarWorldSeries.com has an interesting article about the upcoming season from Justin Wilson.

c) Tony Shumacher won the NHRA season opener for the Top Fuel class. My grandmother informs me that he only won because I wasn't in the race. Thanks, Grandma. And thanks for the cookies.