After a wildly chaotic Duel #1, issues have been far calmer within the second Duel qualifying race. Chase Elliott captured the checkered flag within the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, adopted by Carson Hocevar, Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, and Christopher Bell.
The 2 Hendrick and Spire automobiles up entrance labored carefully collectively to manage the end, and none of them made a transfer on one another till the end line was in sight.
“An effective way to get the blood pumping for positive on a Thursday evening,” stated Elliott. “There was loads occurring these final handful, actually ever since we got here off of pit street after the cycle, we have been getting after it. It was a whole lot of enjoyable.
“Had some nice help there. Carson [Hocevar] did a fantastic job serving to me management these lanes, serving to get Staff Chevy for Victory Lane tonight. Definitely owe him an appreciation for simply sort of sticking with it, additionally pushing me properly. It is actual straightforward to get individuals uncontrolled. Admire that.
“Good to get the NAPA Chevy a win. Not a 500. I have been right here earlier than and never the opposite one, so you must sort of be taught to take it a day at a time. Look, an effective way to begin the pace week for our crew. Happy with our effort, all people at Hendrick Motorsports, the boss, from prime to backside. Their dedication and can to win it fairly darn excessive. Proud to be part of their crew.”
Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin crammed out the rest of the highest ten.
Within the battle to make the race, the ultimate open spot obtainable was between Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and JJ Yeley.
Alfredo makes the present
With each McLeod and Yeley each dropping the draft over the course of the caution-free race, Anthony Alfredo was in a position to breathe straightforward within the closing laps. He completed 18th, and locked himself into the Daytona 500 with the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet.
“I positively do not need to be in that place,” stated Alfredo, who was holding again tears. “Making it on time is loads simpler. That is for the third time. It is actually cool (tearing up). My profession has had a whole lot of ups and downs. You by no means know when you are going to get one other shot to race on any Sunday, particularly the Daytona 500, The Nice American Race.
“I’ve all my household right here. My child lady, Everleigh. I believe I’ve solely been this choked up twice in my life, when she was born, and (indiscernible) for the Daytona 500. It would not be doable with out Beard Motorsports, an amazing household. Ladies-owned NASCAR Cup Sequence crew with a dream, carrying alongside Mark Beard Sr.’s legacy. And Dude Wipes. I would not be in my profession with out them. They have been my flagship accomplice within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence. To return right here and make the Daytona 500 collectively is a dream come true.
“I imply, lacking it final 12 months has haunted me till this very second. That is the one factor that would blow that black cloud over.”
This will probably be Alfredo’s third begin within the 500, and his first since 2024.
Race recap
Chase Briscoe, who will begin the five hundred from the skin place on the entrance row, led a lot of the race. Just like the primary Duel, there was a whole lot of fuel-saving for the primary half of the race.
The surface lane started to surge as pit stops approached, and McDowell discovered his means into the race lead.
With 15 laps to go, the green-flag pit stops started. There have been no incidents, however Briscoe stopped brief in his field, costing him a number of valuable seconds. Connor Zilisch additionally mis-timed it, and was compelled to pit by himself.
After the pit cease cycle, a line of Toyotas led by Erik Jones began to dart round a handful of automobiles that attempted desperately to dam their momentum. It was the closest the race got here to an incident, however they bought away with it.
Tyler Reddick took a end up entrance till Hocevar powered round him. Quickly after, Elliott seized the lead from Hocevar and by no means seemed again.
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Staff
