It was a record-setting day at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, as Chase Elliott earned his first Sprint Cup Series pole, and became the youngest driver to win the pole in 2016 Daytona 500 qualifying.
Elliott, in his first year in the iconic #24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, is replacing the now-retired Jeff Gordon behind the wheel at NASCAR’s top level. The young gun would hold off Matt Kenseth for the top spot, on the first day of qualifying for the Great American Race.
Kenseth, a two-time winner of the 500, also locked in his starting spot Sunday in second. The front row as well as two qualifying “open team” cars based on speed were locked in. Those cars were for Ryan Blaney (#21 Motorcraft Ford) and Matt DiBenedetto (#93 Dustless Blasting Toyota). The remainder of the field will race their way into their starting positions on Thursday night in the Can-Am Duels.
After qualifying, two cars would fail technical inspection, pushing them to the tail of the field for the Can-Am Duels. Teammates Kevin Harvick (#4 Jimmy John’s Chevy) and Brian Vickers (#14 Mobil 1 Chevy) will join Martin Truex Jr. (#78 Bass Pro Shops Toyota) at the rear, after he did not make a run due to a problem with the roof flap.
Forty cars will qualify for the Daytona 500, running next Sunday afternoon. Thirty-six cars will be locked in based on NASCAR’s new charter system, while four of the six open teams entered will make the race. Two teams are already locked in, with two more to race their way in.
Be sure to tune in to see the rest of the field set in the Can-Am Duels at Daytona, live on FS1 and MRN Radio on Thursday night.
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