Defending Daytona 500 champion Dale Jarrett narrowly avoided a collision with teammate Ernie Irvan, then drove to victory today in the first of two qualifying races to set most of the field for the season opener Sunday.

With rookie Mike Skinner, the Daytona 500 pole winner in tow, Jarrett went low coming off the fourth turn at Daytona International Speedway. Irvan swerved to the left in a blocking maneuver that nearly forced Jarrett to take a detour down pit road.

Jarrett, a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, led 45 of 50 laps in his Ford. Irvan, who passed his teammate on the 41st of 50 laps, was the only other leader of the race.

Jarrett held off the Chevrolet of Skinner by three car lengths, averaging 166.113 mph in a race slowed only once for four laps by caution. Irvan finished third, followed by the Ford of Jimmy Spencer and the Chevrolet of two-time Daytona 500 champion Sterling Marlin.

The race, together with a second event later in the day, filled positions 3-30 for the Daytona 500.