Dale Earnhardt Jr. circles the track during Wednesday’s practice at Daytona International Speedway. (Getty)
The annual Budweiser Duels are Thursday night and when they’re finished, we’ll know the field and starting positions of the Daytona 500.
The Duels consist of two 150-mile races, which basically act as the qualifying for Sunday’s Great American Race. The finishing order determine the starting lineup.
Jeff Gordon, who said recently Sunday would be his final Daytona 500, won the pole in last weekend’s qualifying. Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson will join him in the front row of the Sprint Cup season-opener.
The rest of the positions are up for grabs.
Several drivers have already qualified for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Qualified based on speed are: Aric Almirola, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards. And from 2014 points are: Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Ryan Newman, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth. They’re racing Thursday night for favorable starting slots.
The Basics
What:
The Budweiser Daytona Duels
When:
Thursday, February 19
Where:
Daytona International Speedway – Daytona Beach, Florida
Time:
Duel 1: 7 p.m. Eastern
Duel 2: 8:30 p.m. Eastern
Channel:
Fox Sports 1
Last Year’s Duels
Duel 1: Matt Kenseth led for 31 of the 60 laps to get the victory.
Duel 2: Denny Hamlin started from the 11th position, but led 23 laps for the win.
Crew members push Clint Bowyer’s car at Daytona International Speedway on Wednesday. (Getty)
Budweiser Duel 1 Odds
Matt Kenseth #20 … 6/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 … 7/1
Jeff Gordon #24 … 15/2
Kevin Harvick #4 … 15/2
Brad Keselowski #2 … 8/1
Joey Logano #22 … 8/1
Jamie McMurray #1 … 12/1
Kasey Kahne #5 … 12/1
Kyle Larson #42 … 12/1
Tony Stewart #14 … 12/1
Clint Bowyer #15 … 16/1
Trevor Bayne #6 … 20/1
Paul Menard #27 … 22/1
Aric Almirola #43 … 25/1
A.J. Allmendinger #47 … 33/1
Casey Mears #13 … 33/1
Ty Dillon #33 … 33/1
Landon Cassill #40 … 50/1
Michael Annett #46 … 75/1
Michael McDowell #95 … 75/1
Cole Whitt #35 … 100/1
J.J. Yeley #23 … 100/1
Johnny Sauter #83 … 100/1
Justin Marks #29 … 100/1
Ron Hornaday Jr. #30 … 100/1
Budweiser Duel 2 Odds
Carl Edwards #19 … 4/1
Kyle Busch #18 … 5/1
Denny Hamlin #11 … 11/2
Jimmie Johnson #48 … 15/2
Austin Dillon #3 … 12/1
Kurt Busch #41 … 12/1
Martin Truex Jr. #78 … 12/1
Ryan Newman #31 … 12/1
Greg Biffle #16 … 14/1
Danica Patrick #10 … 20/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 … 20/1
Ryan Blaney #21 … 20/1
Michael Waltrip #55 … 25/1
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 … 25/1
Brian Scott #62 … 33/1
David Ragan #34 … 33/1
Justin Allgaier #51 … 33/1
David Gilliland #38 … 50/1
Alex Bowman #7 … 66/1
Bobby Labonte #32 … 66/1
Jeb Burton #26 … 75/1
Josh Wise #98 … 75/1
Mike Wallace #66 … 75/1
Reed Sorenson #44 … 75/1
