text: Twins give birth to two-team race - Houston Chronicle
  https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Twins-give-birth-to-two-team-race-2087979.php
  Twins give birth to two-team race
  Earnhardt, Childress drivers set pace
  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Daytona 500 is shaping up to be a showdown between Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Richard Childress Racing.
  The two racing teams will occupy the top four spots in Sunday's season-opening NASCAR Winston Cup race after final qualifying Thursday in the Gatorade Twin 125s at Daytona International Speedway.
  "I don't think it's (RCR) against DEI. I think it's us against everybody," said Jeff Green, who will start on the pole for Childress' team.
  Dale Earnhardt Jr. strengthened his status as the heavy favorite for the Daytona 500 with a win in Thursday's second qualifying race. Earnhardt and Robby Gordon of RCR won the twin races that determined positions 3-30 in Sunday's 43-car field.
  "It looks like Jeff Green has a strong, strong car," Earnhardt said. "I saw a lot of that in practice the other day after qualifying. I didn't expect them to be able to back it up in race trim like they did their qualifying efforts. (RCR) normally haven't been strong, strong contenders. ... It's just going to be a hell of a race up front."
  Earnhardt had already taken the outside spot on the front row for the 500 in time trials on Monday. His No. 8 Chevrolet started from the pole in Thursday's second 125 and fought off an early challenge from Kevin Harvick. After regaining the top spot on lap 18 of the 50-lap event, Earnhardt fell out of the lead just briefly during a pit stop on lap 31.
  The only driver to challenge Earnhardt down the stretch was DEI teammate and 2001 Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip. Earnhardt won by 0.155 seconds over Waltrip to add the victory to his top finish in the non-points Bud Shootout on Saturday.
  Afterward, Earnhardt spoke of a possible sweep of this week's races. He also is scheduled to race in Saturday's Busch series Koolerz 300.
  "I want to win anything I'm competing in," Earnhardt said. "I'm a terrible loser. I'm competitive in everything."
  In an effort to break up dangerous packs of cars, NASCAR is requiring a reduction in fuel tanks from 22 to 13 1/2 gallons. That added a pit stop to Thursday's races, allowing Gordon to slip past RCR teammate Green for the victory in the first race.
  Ricky Rudd finished third, followed by two-time Daytona 500 winner Sterling Marlin, Jeff Burton, three-time Daytona winner Dale Jarrett and two-time 500 champion Jeff Gordon.