Daytona Duel Recap: Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell win; Jimmie Johnson, Kaz Grala survive
DAYTONA BEACH — It’s the race day at Daytona that’s answered to more names than any other.
Budweiser, Can-Am, Gatorade, 7-Eleven … several corporate brands have paid for the right to splash their name on the two qualifying races that set the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.
Half of the cars race in one, half in the other. Afterward, we have a 40-car field for the 500.
This will be the 20th year with the word Duel part of the title. Odd, really, since a “duel” indicates two competing forces, and these races certainly don’t compete against each other.
Dual, on the other hand, suggests two entities, perhaps equal.
Oh well, Duel it is and Duel it’ll be.
After all, a rose by any other name, in this instance, will still spit out a Sunday lineup. And sometime tonight, we’ll have one.
DUEL FAQ: When are the Daytona Duels? How do they work? What to know about NASCAR qualifying races
The first qualifier — 60 laps, 150 miles — officially gets the green flag at 7:21, with the second race teed up shortly after the conclusion of the first.
While the weekend forecast is still looking bad, today should be nice, with temps in the mid-60s and a slight breeze from the southeast.
This is your place for updates from the Speedway throughout the afternoon and evening.
Daytona Duels results: Duel 2
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Kaz Grala, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Racing Chevrolet
David Ragan, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Riley Herbst, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Christopher Bell, Kaz Grala come up big in second Duel at Daytona
Christopher Bell completed the Toyota sweep of Thursday's Duels at Daytona, winning the second qualifying race by a little over a tenth of a second ahead of 2022 Daytona 500 champ Austin Cindric.
Rounding out the top five were Denny Hamlin, John Hunter Nemechek and Harrison Burton.
Kaz Grala and BJ McLeod were battling for the one open spot remaining in Sunday's Great American Race, and Grala prevailed by two spots, finishing 12th.
Massive crash brings out red flag on Lap 47
With just 13 laps to go, a massive crash collected defending Cup Series champ Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Riley Herbst, Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe among others.
Other cars involved included Bubba Wallace and B.J. McLeod, one of the drivers trying to race his way into the Daytona 500. Blaney's car ended up on fire.
Bubba Wallace leads at halfway mark of Duel 2
Bubba Wallace has reached the front of the field with fellow Toyota Christopher Bell in tow.
B.J. McLeod, who is attempting to race his way into the Daytona 500, has made it all the way up to third with the help of Justin Haley.
Riley Herbst, full-time Xfinity driver, leads at Lap 20
Riley Herbst, who scored an unlikely top-10 finish in 2023, is back at the front again, leading the second Duel racing at Lap 20.
Herbst, driving a Rick Ware Racing Ford, has been getting help from Noah Gragson in the No. 10 Stewart-Haas Ford with Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell and Zane Smith rounding out the top five.
Daytona Duel results: Race 1
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Joe Gibbs Toyota
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Erik Jones, No. 43 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet
Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric lead the field to green in Duel 2
With the dramatic finish of Duel 1 in the book, Duel 2 is on the verge of starting with Michael McDowell and Austin Cidric leading the field to the green flag.
B.J. McLeod and Kaz Grala will duke it out for the final starting spot in Sunday's Daytona 500. The highest finisher of the two will be in while the loser will go home.
Tyler Reddick wins, Jimmie Johnson makes the Daytona 500
Tyler Reddick passed Chase Elliott on the final lap to win tonight's first 150-mile qualifying race.
The top five: Reddick, Elliott, Alex Bowman, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones.
Maybe just as importantly, seven-time Cup champ and two-time Daytona 500 champ Jimmie Johnson had to work his way past JJ Yeley on the final lap to make the 500 field. Off the final turn, actually, as Johnson found the proper drafting line to move past Yeley.
"I've never been in a position like this before," Johnson said. "I've got such a greater appreciation of those who have had to race their way in."
Jimmie Johnson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. involved in crash, nine laps to go
Jimmie Johnson, who needs to race his way into the Daytona 500, has been involved with a crash with just nine laps to go.
Johnson appeared to avoid damage while Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Daniel Hemric were not so lucky. Johnson and JJ Yeley are the lone two open cars in the first Duel. The highest finisher between the two will make the field while the lowest finisher will go home.
Under 10 laps remain.
Ross Chastain caught for speeding, Kyle Larson leads with 15 to go
Green flag pit stops have cycled through with Kyle Larson assuming the lead. Only 14 laps remain.
Martin Truex Jr., who led much of the early going, stalled on pit road and has lost the draft. Ross Chastain, was caught for exiting pit road too fast and had to do a stop-and-go penalty.
Duel 1 reaches halfway mark, Martin Truex Jr., Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Larson, Erik Jones up front
The halfway mark of the first BlueGreen Vacation Duel at Daytona race arrived with Martin Truex Jr. out front in a Joe Gibbs Toyota.
Jimmie Johnson remained in the transfer spot, running fifth on Lap 30. The race has been run under green flag throughout with two lines holding since the start.
Top 5: 1. Martin Truex Jr.; 2. Kyle Larson; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.; 4. Jimmie Johnson; 5. Erik Jones
First Duel is dueling at Daytona; do-or-die for Jimmie Johnson
The first of tonight's two 150-mile qualifiers is under way, and Jimmie Johnson shot into the top five by Lap 10 of the 60-lap race. Johnson has to finish ahead of JJ Yeley to earn a Daytona 500 starting spot.
Yeley was running 20th of 21 cars through 10 laps.
Defending Daytona 500 champ Ricky Stenhouse was swapping the lead with Corey LaJoie and Erik Jones.
Johnny Sauter tops Craftsman Truck Series practice
Three-time Fresh From Florida 250 winner Johnny Sauter topped the leaderboard in Craftsman Truck Series practice on Thursday evening, rounding Daytona International Speedway in 47.258 seconds.
Sauter has the most wins all time in the event. He was trailed by Tanner Gray, Ty Dillon, DeLand native Daniel Dye and Christian Eckes in the top five.
The Fresh From Florida 250 is scheduled for 7:30 Friday night and will air on Fox.
Top five: 1. Johnny Sauter 47.258; 2. Tanner Gray 47.285; 3. Ty Dillon 47.31; 4. Daniel Dye 47.362; 5. Christian Eckes 47.367
Johnny Sauter fastest halfway through Truck Series practice, Dye fourth
Johnny Sauter, the all-time wins leader in the Fresh From Florida 250 with three, is currently atop the practice board halfway through Craftsman Truck Series practice.
Sauter's lap of 47.258 seconds is a couple of hundredths better than Tanner Gray (47.285) with Ty Dillon (47.31) rounding out the top three.
DeLand's Daniel Dye, who will also run a part-time Xfinity Series schedule this year, is fourth with a lap of 47.362.
Marco Andretti tops ARCA Menards practice; SVG 13th
Marco Andretti turned in the fastest lap of ARCA Menards Series practice on Thursday, coming home with a lap of 48.6 seconds, to edge Patrick Emerling by 0.001.
Andretti, the 36-year-old grandson of Mario Andretti, will make his first start at Daytona International Speedway since running the 2012 Rolex 24. He'll attempt his 19th straight Indianapolis 500 this summer. He'll run part time in the ARCA Menards Series and the Craftsman Truck Series this year.
Shane van Gisbergen, the New Zealander who won the Chicago Street Race and will embark on his first Xfinity Series season this year, finished with the 13th best lap with a 49.512.
Top five: 1. Marco Andretti 48.6; 2. Patrick Emerling 48.601; 3. Willie Mullins 48.676; 4. Kris Wright, 48.718; 5. Dale Quarterley 48.718
ARCA cars are on the track
Thirty-six cars from the ARCA Series are getting their first official practice session of the season, a 50-minute shakedown ahead of Friday's qualifying. The 200-mile race is slated for Saturday afternoon at 1:30.
ARCA Menards Series practice up first, SVG to run!
Practice for Saturday's ARCA Menards Series 200 will be the first event on Thursday. The session is set for a 4:05 start.
Among the notable entries in the race is Shane van Gisbergen, the winner of the Cup Series Chicago Street Race last summer who will begin his first season as a full time Xfinity Series driver with Kaulig Racing this year.
NASCAR made the ARCA race a prerequisite for van Gisbergen, who has never run a superspeedway race before.
Lineup for the Duels at Daytona
The lineups for both Thursday night races were set via qualifying on Wednesday.
Joey Logano will start at the front of Duel 1 and Michael McDowell will lead the field to green in Duel 2.
Here are the lineups:
Duel 1
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Duel 2
Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Riley Herbst, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
David Ragan, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Kaz Grala, No. 76 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Daytona 500 undercards get track time today
Both ARCA and NASCAR’s Truck Series teams get their first official practice sessions of the season today.
ARCA, which races Saturday afternoon, gets the track from 4:05 to 4:55 this afternoon. Ten minutes later, the trucks begin their 50-minute shakedown ahead of their Friday afternoon qualifying and Friday night race.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 2024 Daytona Duels recap from NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races