NASCAR announced it would put the racing back in the drivers’ hands and end their restrictions on bump drafting at Daytona and Talladega. The issue has been debated constantly since the announcement last month and every on-track incident so far at Daytona has put even more scrutiny on the decision.

Today’s twin practice sessions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series did nothing to help the controversy.

The rivalry between Cup veteran Denny Hamlin and rookie Brad Keselowski that was flaming red hot at the end of the 2009 season sparked up again during practice today when Hamlin cut across the nose of Keselowski’s Penske Racing Dodge sending a clear message that the feud between the two is far from over.

Luckily, the incident did not result in any damage to either car but other drivers did not fare so well on the track.

David Reutimann and Clint Bowyer collided during the first practice after Bowyer cut a tire. Both drivers will be in backup cars for the Gatorade Duels tomorrow.

In the second practice, 4-time and defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano were in the wrong place at the wrong time when Mike Bliss got loose and collected the two drivers as well as delivering heavy damage to his own car.

NASCAR’s attempt at appeasing the fans and giving them the excitement they were asking for has surely been reached. Now practice sessions are just as exciting as race days for hardcore race fans.

Meanwhile, Matt Kenseth took the top spot in the first session with a fast lap of 46.331 seconds at 194.254mph. Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards rounded out the top-5. Bowyer and Reutimann were listed in 6th and 8th place, respectively, at the end of the session despite their altercation.

Marcos Ambrose was on top after the second practice. His 193.403 mph 46.535 second lap put him ahead of Kyle Busch who finished 2nd again. Reed Sorenson in the Braun Racing Cup car was 3rd, followed by Logano, and Kasey Kahne.

The dueling duo of Hamlin and Keselowski finished 21st and 29th, respectively, in the first session and 19th and 13th in the second.

The Gatorade Duels at Daytona will decide the lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500 and will broadcast on SPEED tomorrow afternoon at 2pm and 4pm. 

SPRINT CUP PRACTICE #3 RESULTS

SPRINT CUP PRACTICE #4 RESULTS

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