From a press release issued by Daytona 200 Mileage Record Holder Rick Shaw:

I would like to take a few lines to thank everyone who helped me attempt to qualify for this year’s 200. As most everyone knows I missed the cutoff by .04 seconds. This is the first race I have missed in 21 years. It is without a doubt the biggest disappointment I have ever experienced in 25 years of professional racing. I have no excuses, I just didn’t get the job done but it was not from lack of trying. I just couldn’t come to grips with the tires after 3 or 4 laps. I crashed in the first qualifier and was playing catch-up for the second. I have to thank track announcers Pat Gonzales and Rich Chambers. The really talked up the effort and during the second qualifier Rich dropped his microphone and helped change my rear tire for a last ditch effort. Also I have to thank Speed Channel reporter Ralph Shaheen, he gave me a lot of space and respect in the immediate aftermath of the failed qualifying attempt. I have received many calls and e-mails offering support and encouragement to try again next year. It is hard to imagine that a mid-pack privateer can elicit this kind response in this day of the factory-backed superstars. To each and every one you I am deeply honored by your kindness and for each of you I will be back in 2005.