David Ragan

David Ragan, No. 34 Scorpion Truck Bed Liners Ford

Starting Position: 9 (Duel No. 1)

Finishing Position: 14

David Ragan started Gatorade Duel No. 1 knowing two things:  His No. 34 Scorpion Truck Bed Liners Ford had a guaranteed starting position in Sunday's Daytona 500, and the racing at Daytona International Speedway had been dicey so far during Speedweeks.  So he and crew chief Jay Guy entered Thursday's 60-lap event knowing they weren't going to be taking any big risks.

Starting in the ninth position, Ragan gradually made his way to the back of the field, where he could stick with the pack but avoid trouble.  The move worked in his favor on Lap 9, when teammate David Gilliland got turned by Michael McDowell and collected multiple cars in the first caution of the day.

Ragan came down pit road for four tires and fuel and restarted 13th when the race returned to green.  He spent the remaining laps drafting in a four-car pack near the back of the field, again staying clear of two more accidents.  He brought his Scorpion Truck Bed Liners Ford across the finish line in 14^th without a scratch and ready to race in Sunday's main event where he'll start 25th.

Comments from Scorpion Truck Bed Liners team driver David Ragan after the Gatorade Duels:  

David Gilliland

David Gilliland, No. 38 MHP/Power Pak Pudding Ford

Starting Position: 23 (Duel No. 1)

Finishing Position: 22

The qualifying duels are short races at only 60 laps, but David Gilliland's race, unfortunately, was even shorter.  Starting 23rd in his No. 38 MHP/Power Pak Pudding Ford, Gilliland was drafting in the middle of the pack on Lap 9 when he got tagged on his left rear corner by McDowell's No. 98 car.  The bump got Gilliland's Ford Fusion loose, sending him up the banking toward the wall and into multiple other cars.  The MHP Ford was severely damaged, forcing the team to go to a back-up car for Sunday's Daytona 500. 

Gilliland received stitches in the infield care center for a cut on his hand.  He was credited with a 22nd-place finish, putting him in the 33rd position on Sunday's starting grid.

Comments from MHP/Power Pak Pudding team driver David Gilliland after the Gatorade Duels:

"I feel good, I am fine. I cut up my hand on my helmet and I had to get it stitched. Just one stitch, but it is on my thumb where it bends. I told him I would superglue it but he said a stitch would work better. I am fine, just disappointed. It was a short day. Our MHP/Power Pak Pudding Fusion had good speed and I feel confident about our backup car, so we will get it out and get it going again.

"It felt like someone got into the back of us in Turn 1 and away it went. I had a lot of fun out there racing, though, and I'm looking forward to Sunday. The problem is people want to push because you can make up track position, but you have to think of the guy in front of you and what he is dealing with in front of him. Two cars catch these other cars so fast and then when you are getting pushed you just can't stop when you come up on another guy. It is kind of a process to get the whole train slowed down. It is tricky, but everybody will hopefully get the hang of it by Sunday."

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