NASCAR: Logano, Almirola win Duels, setting stage for 65th Daytona 500

After a chaotic Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway, Aric Almirola methodically worked his way to the front of the field to take home the checkered flag, finalizing the lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Almirola’s win completes a Ford sweep in Victory Lane after Joey Logano dominated Duel 1. Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-five finishers.

Perhaps the biggest moment of the race came on Lap 40 when Daniel Suárez got into the back of race leader Kyle Busch, sending his No. 8 Chevrolet spinning into the outside wall. A handful of cars were collected in the incident, including open-car hopeful Austin Hill, who was vying for a race bid and needed a solid finish. Busch was visibly upset but was released from the infield care center without further issue. Suárez finished 12th.

Conor Daly capitalized on the caution, securing his starting spot in Sunday’s race (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Aric Almirola

Aric Almirola, you give thumbs up to the fans. You won this race two years ago. Just did it again tonight. Had your hands full, though. Looked like a lot of work for you in that race car.

ARIC ALMIROLA: Yeah, I did have my hands full. Drew said this Smithfield Ford Mustang was going to be fast, but he said I would probably have my hands full. We kind of went for it in qualifying and put on the speed in the car sacrificed some handling, and as you could see tonight it was a handful, but, man, this is so cool.

Daytona is such a special place to me. I’ve grew up sitting in those grandstands dreaming about racing here. I want that one on Sunday, though. My boss up in the booth during that first Duel, he said, I’ve won this race three times, but yet to do it on Sunday.

I know Sunday is the big one. We’re going to keep focused on that one. The job is not finished.

Just really proud. So thankful. I’m not even supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be retired. This is awesome. Thank you Shane and everybody back at Smithfield headquarters, Ford, Doug Yates. Doug came and told me in the window before the race started I’d meet you in Victory Lane, so I’ve got a date with him. I’ll see him in a minute.

Alex just flew down here with the pit crew this morning from school, so he was up on the spotter’s stand with Joel helping him spot. I’m waiting for him. He should be coming down any minute. I told him we’d go to Victory Lane. Alex, where you at, buddy? We’re waiting on you.

Logano dominates Duel 1 at Daytona

Picking up right where he left off in 2022, Logano made his way to Victory Lane on Thursday night in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 at Daytona, winning a drag race with Christopher Bell to the checkered flag.

Logano led 29 laps in front of the field, setting the pace for the Ford camp, which had a dominant night under the lights. Seven of the top 10 finishers raced under the Blue Oval banner, including Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, who finished third.

Despite a rather organized race throughout the evening, the flurry of moves and blocks in the final two laps set the race up for an exhilarating finish. Bell darted to the outside of Logano but fell short by just 0.018 seconds at the finish, for one of the closest Duel races in recent memory.

The 2022 Duel winner Chris Buescher and 2021 Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell rounded out the top five.

After earning another Daytona 500 pole with an exceptional qualifying effort Wednesday, Alex Bowman finished without damage in 17th, securing his P1 starting position. Among the open entrants, Zane Smith finished highest in eighth — good enough to secure his place in Sunday’s race, driving the No. 36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.

Duel 1 Results

Duel 2 Results

Daytona 500 starting lineup

Did Not Qualify:  #62 Austin Hill(i),#13 Chandler Smith(i)

(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series