Michael Waltrip showed for a second time at Speedweeks in Daytona that he could start in the back and easily work his way to the front. The NAPA AUTO PARTS driver started 23rd in the second race of the 60 lap/150-mile Duel at Daytona and raced his way to the second position before a late caution spoiled his chance at victory.

The first race of the Duel at Daytona saw a green-white-checkered finish (G-W-F) with Elliott Sadler taking the win. Waltrip watched that race from atop his NAPA transporter and in the process learned a thing or two about how the second race would play out.

The green flag waved over an hour late due to rain, but Waltrip made up for lost time by quickly finding his teammate Dave Blaney and the two made their way through the pack. By lap 14, Waltrip had climbed into the top-15. On lap 26, Joe Nemechek brought out the nights first caution when the engine expired on his U.S. Army Chevrolet. The yellow allowed the NAPA car to hit pit road for adjustments. The Waltrip-Jasper/Bill Davis Racing crew changed four tires and a chassis adjustment in 17.10 seconds.

Waltrip continued his assault on the field. The NAPA machine was very quick in the draft, but struggled on its own. Using the high line, the Owensboro, Kent., native made his way into the top-10, before the caution flew again for Blaney's spin in turn four with just nine laps to go. Most of the field used the yellow to pit for tires, but Waltrip and leader Jeff Gordon stayed out. The strategy backfired for Waltrip as he got shuffled out of the lead pack on the restart. He finally worked his way back into line in the 10th position on lap 58. Just as he regrouped to start attacking again, J.J. Yeley spun off turn four bringing out the yellow and setting up the second G-W-C finish of the night. Waltrip decided they had nothing to lose and pitted for four tires and another chassis adjustment.

The track position lost was too much for the NAPA car to make up. Waltrip passed several cars, but took the checkered flag in 19th. Gordon was able to hold off his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Busch for the win. Jaime McMurray finished third.

The field for the Daytona 500 was officially set based off both qualifying and the Duel at Daytona. Jeff Burton has the pole based off qualifying with Gordon on the outside of row one. Waltrip starts his 20th career Daytona 500 from the 30th starting position. The race can be seen at 1:30 p.m. ET (Sunday, February 19th) on NBC.