NASCAR
Joey Logano, Aric Almirola Sweep Duels for Ford, Sunday’s Starting Grid Official
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – If one manufacturer stands out heading into Sunday’s Daytona 500, it is Ford. A pair of Mustangs went to victory lane in Thursday night’s Duels, finalizing the starting lineup for The Great American Race. While Ford is seemingly favored heading into Sunday, 500 miles of unknown lay ahead for all drivers.
A surprisingly calm first Duel race went to Joey Logano, as the Penske No. 22 led for a majority of the 60 laps. Despite Christopher Bell trying to make a last-lap move on the defending champion, the 22 reigned supreme. This Duel also locked defending Truck Series champion Zane Smith into the Daytona 500, sending home Chandler Smith.
Duel two is where intensity certainly picked up. In the closing laps, Kyle Busch’s Richard Childress Racing No. 8 Chevrolet was turned from the lead, deciding many driver’s fates. Collected as a bystander in this melee was open driver Austin Hill. The No. 62 was unable to return to the race, and was likewise sent home. This gave the final spot in the Daytona 500 to Conor Daly in the No. 50 Chevrolet for The Money Team.
Race leader @KyleBusch wrecks!
Multiple cars, including the No. 62, open team, involved. pic.twitter.com/rUn3bTW2Fb
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 17, 2023
The closing laps would see Florida native Aric Almirola find the lead and stay in front of last-lap chaos. Almirola brings home the bacon in a Duel race for the second time in three years, and ended Thursday night with a Ford sweep. See the full starting lineup for the Daytona 500 here. Only a few practice sessions now remain for all drivers ahead of Sunday’s big race.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton and Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR
