The Duels at Daytona
In Duel #1 of the qualifying races for the Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick showcased an impressive performance by making a daring move from 8th to 1st on the final lap to claim victory at Daytona International Speedway. Despite a close call earlier in the race when he nearly crashed while coming into pit road, Reddick managed to keep his No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota clean. A late-race restart following a four-car crash allowed Reddick to maneuver into position for the win, ultimately crossing the finish line ahead of runner-up Chase Elliott.
Meanwhile, Jimmie Johnson, needing to secure his spot in Sunday’s race, navigated through the chaos to finish 12th after a closely contested battle with JJ Yeley in the final laps. The Duel 1 results determined the inside row for the Daytona 500 lineup, with Joey Logano leading the field from the pole position.
In Duel #2, Christopher Bell emerged victorious after executing a last-lap pass for the lead and fending off Austin Cindric. Bell, with assistance from Harrison Burton, made the decisive move to pass teammate Denny Hamlin. Despite Cindric’s efforts to overtake him, Bell held firm in his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to secure the win.
The race was not without its incidents, as a 10-car crash with 14 laps remaining, triggered by William Byron and Ryan Blaney, disrupted the field. Blaney’s car sustained significant damage and caught fire but fortunately, he emerged unharmed. However, the No. 12 Team Penske Ford will require a backup car for Sunday’s race. Kaz Grala clinched the final spot in the Daytona 500 field with a 12th-place finish, edging out BJ McLeod.
NASCAR Daytona Duels Race No. 1 results
1: Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
2. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
3. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
4. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
6. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
7. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
8. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
9. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
11. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
12. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota (locked into 500 field)
13. Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
14. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
15. Corey Lajoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
16. JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet (will not race Sunday)
17. Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
18. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
19. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
20. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
21. Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
NASCAR Daytona Duels Race No. 2 results
1: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
2. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
3. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
4. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
5. Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
6. Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
8. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
9. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
10. Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
11. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
12. Kaz Grala, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford
13. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
14. BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
15. David Ragan, No. 60 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
16. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
17. Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
18. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
19. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
20. Riley Herbst, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
21. Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
