Nascar – Chase Elliott on pole for the Daytona 500

For his debut at Daytona in the premier discipline, Chase elliott hit hard. The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, replacing legend Jeff Gordon, took pole position for the first event of the season on the Florida oval.

With a best lap established in the last part of the qualifying session in 45 "845, Elliott was ahead Matt Kenseth (Joe Gibbs Racing ? Toyota), second in 45″910. A position that will allow the 2003 champion to start alongside Chase Elliott on the front row of the Daytona 500 on February 21.

The other positions will be determined during the Can-Am Duels, contested during the coming week. Among the favorites, Martin Truex Jr (Furniture Row Racing? Toyota) was unable to start the qualifying session, following a problem with a hatch on the roof of the No. 78 Camry. He will start in last position in the second Duel.

Note that under the new rules introduced this season, Ryan Blaney (Wood Brothers Racing? Ford) and Matt DiBenedetto (BK Racing? Toyota) have secured their places on the grid, as drivers of non-Charter teams. Their positions will be determined during the Duels, where the last two places available on the grid will also be allocated.