Michael Waltrip walks to his garage prior to the start of NASCAR auto race practice at Daytona International Speedway recently. His 25-year streak of starting the Daytona 500 came to an end with a crash on Thursday.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michael Waltrip sat in a golf cart just outside the care center, stared at the ground and sheepishly placed both hands on his head.

He knew he made a costly error in the first qualifying race Thursday, one that will end his streak of 25 consecutive starts in the Daytona 500.

The two-time Daytona 500 winner wrecked his No. 40 Toyota with seven laps remaining in the 150-mile race. It was an odd one, too. Waltrip was getting up to speed after leaving the pits and trying to merge onto the high-banked oval when he lost control of his car and hit the wall. He finished 18th in the 25-car field.

“I just made a mistake,” said Waltrip, who was unharmed. “I just went the wrong way and lost the car. I feel like I let everybody down. I raced my way to the front and then I let them down. It’s just really hard.”

Waltrip’s frustration was evident during the final few laps.

He watched the scoring tower and knew he needed a bunch of help to make the season-opening event. It didn’t happen. Michael McDowell and Robby Gordon raced their way into the opener and eliminated Waltrip.