Gatorade Duels Provide More Questions Than Answers

The Gatorade Duels were supposed to provide the first answers of Speedweeks. NASCAR had made the necessary adjustments to slow down the 206 mph speeds and were set to decide the field for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
But following Race no. 2, I have no idea what to expect on Sunday.
Speeds are still well over 200 mph and the two-car breakaway still runs the show. The smaller restrictor plate and air-intake manifold has failed on all fronts. So will NASCAR respond and take further actions against the field before Sunday?
And what about front row teammates Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. It’s guaranteed that Earnhardt will start from the back on Sunday after his practice crash on Wednesday. But how about Gordon? The four-time Cup champion crashed on the last lap Thursday and it’s unknown if the No. 24 will need a backup.
The one holdover from last season is the ECR engine package that is still dominating at Daytona. Jamie McMurray won the 500 last year and was strong in today’s heat. Of course Clint Bowyer pushed Jeff Burton to victory in Heat No. 2, confirming that EGR and RCR are your safest bets on Sunday.
What about Kurt Busch? There’s nothing I can say that you don’t already know. Busch has the current package figured out. Since his debut in 2002, Busch had never won at Daytona or Talladega until the Bud Shootout. And now he seems unbeatable.
And this column doesn’t even consider the Daytona mastery of Michael Waltrip, Tony Stewart or five-time himself, Jimmie Johnson.
So here lies the answers and safe bets, right?
Wrong.
NASCAR is sitting in the “Oval Office” as we speak, reviewing today’s action. Mike Helton and Robin Pemperton have already shown the courage to make changes should they deem them necessary.
The sanctioning body has already called 200 mph the ‘magic number’ and cars topped 202 mph on Thursday. Additionally, Duel no. 2 was the most dangerous yet with four cautions and a fifth wreck at the finish. NASCAR is getting set to toss a curveball and the end result will be even more questions.
So discard whatever answers you’ve written out. NASCAR is already drawing the rules for the most unpredictable Daytona 500 ever.