DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins his second race at Daytona this season, taking the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying races today.

Kenny Wallace and Brian Vickers finish ninth and 11th, earning two of four available spots for Sunday's Daytona 500. Neither finished in the top 35 in owner points last season, requiring them race their way into the season-opening event.

Earnhardt already was assured a spot in the field.

Vickers passed Joe Nemechek in the next-to-last lap to grab the final transfer spot.