NASCAR
Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson Qualify on Daytona 500 Front Row
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A new crew chief was no problem for Alex Bowman, as the Ally No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro from Hendrick Motorsports qualified fastest once again for the Daytona 500. Inverse of last year’s result, Kyle Larson will start to Bowman’s outside on Sunday. Bowman has now started first or second the last six years at the Daytona 500, only adding onto his all-time record.
Wednesday night pole qualifying also locked the two fastest open cars into Sunday’s race. This honor went to seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, and action sports star Travis Pastrana.
“We’ve obviously not been able to [convert a pole into a win] for the last five years,” Bowman said. “So just trying to make the right decisions, and transfer everything over to race trim as best we can. Just so proud of Hendrick Motorsports, the engine shop, all of the guys, this Ally 48 Camaro is obviously really fast. I don’t really have a lot to do with qualifying here. Just fortunate to qualify some really fast racecars and really cool to see Hendrick Motorsports 1-2-3.”
Bowman also joked that new crew chief Blake Harris should take over for the pole winner’s media obligations. Harris is the one new piece of the 48 team heading into 2023, as it appears they are still as fast as ever.
The rest of the starting lineup for Sunday’s Great American Race will be determined after Thursday’s Duel races. Catch them on FS1 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Winning his third Daytona 500 pole capped off a big day for Alex Bowman. This morning, Hendrick Motorsports announced that the free agent driver will return to the No. 48 through 2026. Sponsor Ally Financial will also remain with the 48 through 2028.
While Bowman is 6-6 on Daytona 500 front row starts, he has yet to turn any of these fast laps into a top-10. Can Bowman break the apparent curse he has at Daytona? Be sure to tune in Sunday and find out. The green flag flies in the 65th Running of The Great American Race at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to James Gilbert/Getty Images for NASCAR
