NASCAR
Hendrick Motorsports Puts Larson on Pole, Bowman to his Outside
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona 500 qualifying determined the fate of four drivers, while 38 others sleep uneasy. Hendrick Motorsports won yet another pole with defending Cup Series champion Kyle Larson. To his outside is Alex Bowman, the fifth-straight Daytona 500 front row start for driver 48. On the opposite end of the field, two open cars locked their way in on speed: Noah Gragson and Jacques Villeneuve.
Round one of qualifying saw a top four sweep by Hendrick cars. However, Aric Almirola spoiled the fab four in Round 2, as he just edged out Chase Elliott. Larson’s pole-winning lap time was a blistering 49.680 seconds.
Gragson, 23, will make his Cup Series debut Sunday with the Beard Motorsports No. 62 Chevrolet. On the opposite end of the age range will be Jacques Villeneuve, 50, who locked in with the new Team Hezeberg No. 27 Ford. The former Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 Champion will also make his Daytona 500 debut.
Other open cars needing to race their way into the 500 include Kaz Grala, Greg Biffle, JJ Yeley, and Timmy Hill. Of these four drivers, two will be going home after the Duels tomorrow night.
Aside from Larson and Bowman, every driver will be racing for a starting position. Don’t miss a moment of either Duel race, starting tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images for NASCAR
