Logano and Byron win Daytona Duels, Suarez unlucky

If Ricky Stenhouse Jr had won the pole position for the 500 Daytona 2020 by imposing his JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet Camaro during qualifying, the other positions on the starting grid remained to be determined behind the pole sitter and Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet-, 2nd behind Stenhouse Jr in the qualifying session.

The two traditional Daytona Duels delivered their verdict last night, with the successes of Joey Logano (Team Penske – Ford) and William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports). Logano waited until the last lap to secure his victory in the first confrontation, automatically propelling him to 3rd position on the grid.

Un Duel qui a vu l’élimination prématurée de Daniel Suarez (Gaunt Brothers Racing – Toyota), victime d’un accrochage avec Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) en tentant d’éviter Brad Keselowski qui rentrait dans les stands. Une désillusion pour Suarez, qui manque donc de s’assurer une place au départ du Daytona 500.

Among the “poor performances” of the evening, note the 13th place of Kyle Busch (Joe Gibbs Racing – Toyota) in the second Duel, which only offered a 28th position on the grid to the former champion.

Daytona 500 2020 provisional starting grid:

1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. – JTG Daugherty Racing
2. Alex Bowman – Hendrick Motorsports
3. Joey Logano – Team Penske
4. William Byron – Hendrick Motorsports
5. Aric Almirola – Stewart-Haas Racing
6. Jimmie Johnson – Hendrick Motorsports
7. Ryan Newman – Roush Fenway Racing
8. Kyle Larson – Chip Ganassi Racing
9. Brad Keselowski – Team Penske
10. Kevin Harvick – Stewart-Haas Racing
11. Bubba Wallace – Richard Petty Motorsports
12. Cole Custer – Stewart-Haas Racing
13 Austin Dillon – Richard Childress Racing
14. Erik Jones – Joe Gibbs Racing
15. Martin Truex Jr. – Joe Gibbs Racing
16. Matt DiBenedetto – Wood Brothers Racing
17. Christopher Bell – Leavine Family Racing
18. Kurt Busch – Chip Ganassi Racing
19. Chris Buescher – Roush Fenway Racing
20. Ross Chastain – Spire Motorsports
21. Denny Hamlin – Joe Gibbs Racing
22. Tyler Reddick – Richard Childress Racing
23. John Hunter Nemechek – Front Row Motorsports
24. Ty Dillon – Germain Racing
25. Chase Elliott – Hendrick Motorsports
26. Michael McDowell – Front Row Motorsports
27. Ryan Blaney – Team Penske
28. Kyle Busch – Joe Gibbs Racing
29. Clint Bowyer – Stewart-Haas Racing
30. David Ragan – Rick Ware Racing
31. Ryan Preece – JTG Daugherty Racing
32. Timmy Hill – MBM Motorsports
33. Justin Haley – Kaulig Racing
34. Brennan Poole – Premium Motorsports
35. Quin Houff – StarCom Racing
36. Corey LaJoie – GO FAS Racing
37. Joey Gase – Petty Ware Racing
38. BJ McLeod – Rick Ware Racing
39. Brendan Gaughan – Beard Motorsports
40. Reed Sorenson – Premium Motorsports