The first 150-mile, 60-lap Duel at Daytona ended with NASCAR driver Joey Logano taking the win beating 22 other competitors. As a result, he will start third in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15 at Daytona International Speedway.
While he was celebrating in Victory Lane, “go or go” home open driver Casey Mears was getting high fives from his team after driving his way into The Great American Race via an eighth-place finish. On the other side of emotions, two drivers were loading their haulers and headed home after failing to make the starting field.
Rounding out the top-five finishers was Ryan Blaney, Austin Dillon, Brad Keselowski and John Hunter Nemechek.
Joey Logano Wins First Duel Under Green White Checkered
After starting sixth, Logano drove the No. 22 Team Penske Ford to the front utilizing the high line. This was his fourth Duel victory giving him the most race wins for current drivers.
He was followed to the line by his fellow Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Ford.
“It was great teamwork all the way through,” Logano said. “Ryan Blaney was a fantastic teammate there, which is expected. He’s always been that for us and we try to work together the best we can and when we’re able to do that correctly. We can see success together like this. First of all, I’ve got to thank him.
“Obviously, Nick Hensley, my gas man, that gave us position off of pit road to where we could defend and not have to try to move forward, so he did a great job. Coleman Pressley (spotter) up on the roof did a fantastic job with the info.
“It’s all the things you work on over the offseason, but it’s awesome when it all comes together and you’re able to actually work out the plan. A lot of times people say there’s a plan and it goes out the window on lap one, but for us we were able to work it all the way to the end.”
Casey Mears Survives into the Daytona 500
Coming into Daytona Speedweek, eight non-chartered drivers needed to qualify in on speed, which was done by Justin Allgaier and Corey Heim during Wednesday night’s qualifying session. That left one available spot in each Duel to make Sunday’s race.
Casey Mears took a damaged No. 66 Ford into the Daytona 500 when Corey LaJoie spun into the outside wall on the final lap. After going a lap down being involved in the first, of three, cuations, Mears took advantage of the second one to get back on the lead lap.
“When I was sitting there spinning in the grass I was worried about going two laps down,” Mears said. “Once we got back on the lead lap, I just worked my way up front.
“When they all wrecked, I got around everybody but the No. 99, and fortunately, I hit him so square that my car didn’t get too tore up. I was able to get it back.
“So, just super happy. I can’t believe we made it. It is just absolutely amazing.”
LaJoie and Smith Fail to Make the Daytona 500
Needing to race their way and be the highest finisher of non-chartered teams was LaJoie and the No. 99 RFK Ford, was the leading open cars on the final laps. However, he was crashed out as Mears roared by him. Chandler Smith and the No. 36 Ford were also involved in multi-car wreck with five laps remaining.
As a result, they will not be part of Sunday’s race.
Cautions Slow Pace of Race
While teams were coming to pit road on Lap 45 under green, Noah Gragson in his No. 4 Ford got together with Mears when he locked up the brakes at pit entrance. They got together and slid through the infield grass.
Gragson was able to back up on to pit road while Mears remained stuck in the grass. Thus, the caution was waved allowing teams to execute their stops under yellow flag conditions.
With five laps remaining, the No. 23 Toyota of Bubba Wallace spun to the inside backstretch asphalt as the No. 3 of Austin Dillon was behind him. Also collected were the No. 17 of Chris Buescher, Smith and the No. 24 Chevrolet of reigning Daytona 500 winner William Byron. He received the most damage of cars involved.
Sunday’s 68th running of the Daytona 500 will air live on FOX-TV, MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Joey Logano Victorious in First NASCAR Daytona 500 Duel, Two Drivers Go Home