Two Daytona 500 champions could have their backs against the wall entering the Gatorade Duel At Daytona qualifying races.

Ward Burton, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion, is making his full-time return to the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series in 2007 driving the No. 4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet for Morgan-McClure Motorsports.

Michael Waltrip, the 2001 and 2003 Daytona 500 winner, is wearing two hats in 2007 as both the driver and owner of the No. 55 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota. He also is fielding two other new Toyota teams for Dale Jarrett and David Reutimann.

Both Burton and Waltrip will have to earn their starting spots through either Budweiser Pole Qualifying on Sunday, Feb. 11 or the Gatorade Duel At Daytona 150-mile qualifying races on Thursday, Feb. 15.

The Daytona 500 qualifying format is unique. The top 35 teams in owner�s points have guaranteed starting spots in the Daytona 500 while all remaining teams fight over seven starting spots.

Four spots are split among the top two finishing drivers in each Gatorade Duel that are not already guaranteed a starting spot get into the Daytona 500. The next three spots go to the fastest three qualifiers based on the single-car time trials from Budweiser Pole Qualifying that are not guaranteed a starting spot in the Daytona 500. A final Daytona 500 starting spot is reserved for a past NEXTEL Cup Series champion.

Both Burton and Waltrip are outside the top 35 in owner�s points and will be among the more than 30 teams fighting for a starting spot in the Daytona 500 � NASCAR�s signature event � during Speedweeks 2007.

Burton is hoping he will post a fastest enough speed in Budweiser Pole Qualifying to earn his ticket to the Daytona 500 starting grid.

�It is what it is and we�re working hard,� Burton said. �Hopefully that hard work will be seen in the qualifying efforts and the (150s). I think the qualifying effort is going to be more important than the (150) itself.�

During Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder testing at DIS in January, Burton remembered the only time in his career that he failed to qualify for a Daytona 500.

�My rookie year (1994), we had a wreck at the start/finish line in the fist 125s and that was the only 500 I wasn�t able to make,� Burton said. �I know when we came back here in �95 we had to finish I think 15th or better and I think we finished 11th. I remember Ben Blake was the first reporter that I saw after the 125, I felt like I already knew what it was like to win the 500 because we made that race.

�With the few spots, which is basically seven available, if we can make (the Daytona 500) that same feeling is going to be there again. I think it�s going to be tougher. I think there are a lot of things that are against us but the thing that is for us is that we�ve both done it before.�

Tickets for Speedweeks 2007 events, including the 49th annual Daytona 500 and the Gatorade Duel At Daytona, are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or by logging onto www.racetickets.com .

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