{"id":3051,"date":"2018-02-16T03:58:35","date_gmt":"2018-02-16T08:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2018-02-16T03:58:35","modified_gmt":"2018-02-16T08:58:35","slug":"3051","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/02\/16\/3051\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott Win Their Respective NASCAR Can-Am Duels"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR Can-Am Duels<\/strong> took place Saturday night, solidifying the grid spots for the other 38 entrants. Alex Bowman<\/strong> and Denny Hamlin<\/strong> had an easy evening as they were already confirmed spots 1 and 2 on the grid after their performance on Sunday with the qualifying.<\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott Win Their Respective NASCAR Can-Am Duels<\/h1>\n

The First Duel<\/h2>\n

The first duel determined who will line up in the inside row, with the second race deciding the outside row. The first race started with Jimmie Johnson<\/strong> and Alex Bowman<\/strong> in the front row. To save his car and save his energy, Alex Bowman let the pack pass him, dropping him to 20th. <\/span><\/p>\n

On lap 9, Jimmie Johnson spun out, taking Daniel Suarez<\/strong> and Aric Almirola<\/strong> with him. Suarez dodged most of the incident, being able to stay in the race while Johnson and Almirola were sent packing. Cars pitted after this accident, putting Joey Logano<\/strong> in the lead. <\/span><\/p>\n

Another incident happened later on Lap 39, when #24 William Byron<\/strong> spun out, making slight contact with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.<\/strong> This took Byron out of the race.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the race was nearing its end, David Gilliland<\/strong> spun out and hit a wall. Gilliland thought that Ricky Stenhouse Jr.<\/strong> was to blame on his situation citing his complaint on the radio, saying \u201cIdiot. He won two of these and now he\u2019s a hero\u201d<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n

With 3 laps to go, Ryan Blaney<\/strong> gained the lead. Brad Keselowski<\/strong> spun out and hit the wall hard, making slight contact with McMurray<\/strong>. Keselowski did not finish the race. The race went to NASCAR Overtime, giving the drivers 2 laps to finish up the race. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ryan Blaney was pressured by Wallace Jr.<\/strong> and Logano, but held on for the win. Wallace and Logano had a very close second place finish, with Logano creeping up on him at the very last second.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Second Duel<\/h2>\n

The second race of the evening started with Kyle Busch<\/strong> and Denny Hamlin<\/strong> in the front row. On lap 12 of this race, Kyle Larson<\/strong>, Matthew DiBenedetto<\/strong> and Erik Jones<\/strong> got in a crash. Erik Jones was able to finish the race, while Larson and DiBenedetto could not make it to the end. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kevin Harvick<\/strong> held a lead after the caution, until Chase Elliott<\/strong> gained the lead around Lap 27 (Chase Elliott gained the lead during the commercial break). Chase Elliott battled Harvick until the last lap, but ended up winning the race. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Duel winners Ryan Blaney<\/strong> and Chase Elliott<\/strong> will line up 3 and 4 at the Daytona 500<\/strong>. There are only projections<\/a> out so far of the full starting lineup, but the rest of the lineup will soon be announced. <\/span><\/p>\n

MAIN PHOTO:<\/strong>
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>