DAYTONA BEACH-The New Ford Mustang Dark Horse lived up to its nomenclature in Wednesday night’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session for Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX , MRN ).
In a thrilling showcase of speed and skill, Joey Logano defied conventional methods to clinch the Daytona 500 pole during Wednesday night’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway. Logano, the 2018 and 2022 Cup champion, boldly claimed the pole for the Daytona 500 with an impressive lap of 181.947 mph. While many drivers might opt for a cautious strategy in the ensuing qualifying races, Logano, known for his unique mindset, is set to approach the “duel” races with the same fearless attitude that has defined his last 15 races. This approach, although unconventional, adds an exciting element to Logano’s quest for Daytona 500 glory.
As the countdown to the Daytona 500 intensifies, drivers eagerly await the results of Thursday night’s “duels,” crucial in determining their starting positions for the main event on Sunday. While Logano and McDowell enjoy secured starting spots, the remaining drivers face suspense regarding their Sunday positions, heavily influenced by their duels’ outcomes. The implicit unpredictability of racing, accentuated by the potential impact of wrecks during the 60-lap duels, injects an element of excitement, reminding everyone that established starting positions are subject to change based on race-day dynamics.
Logano swiftly discarded any notion of adopting a conservative strategy after securing the pole position, emphasizing a bold and aggressive racing mindset. In a succinct yet decisive “two-second” conversation with crew chief Paul Wolfe, Logano affirmed their commitment to racing aggressively.
The exchange, where Logano inquired, Paul, we’re racing, right? and Wolfe promptly replied, Yeah, unveiled their unified approach to speedway racing. Logano highlighted the consistent attitude he and Wolfe maintain, regardless of their qualifying position, prioritizing competitive racing while minimizing the risk of car damage.
He underscored the significance of avoiding the use of backup cars, emphasizing the overarching goal of ensuring optimal performance and having a well-handling car on race day.
Logano put an end to the extended streak of Chevrolet poles in the Daytona 500, disrupting a trend where Hendrick-powered cars had dominated the last nine pole positions. Notably, this pole win marked a historic first for Team Penske in the Daytona 500.
The achievement underscored the impressive speed displayed by the new Ford body style during single-car runs at Daytona. The upcoming Thursday races will serve as crucial opportunities for the manufacturer’s teams to assess the performance of these cars in the aerodynamic draft at Daytona. In this racing scenario, cars run in packs, and executing a successful pass often relies on collaboration with other drivers in the line behind.
As quick as it moves on its own, we’re focused on fine-tuning it, Logano stressed. I want to ensure I’ve maximized its potential.
The duels on Thursday not only impact the starting grid but also determine the last two entries in the field, with Jimmie Johnson, B.J. McLeod, JJ Yeley, and Kaz Grala competing for those positions.
Beyond securing starting positions, the rest of the field aims for advantageous starting spots behind Logano and McDowell. Furthermore, regular-season points will be granted to the top-10 finisher in each duel, adding an extra layer of importance to the races.
We’ll approach it intelligently,” Logano affirmed. “But make no mistake, we’re here to race. There’s a trophy on the line, along with 10 valuable points. We’re going to race hard.
It’s an incredible feeling. It’s the best feeling there is,” Beard expressed to NASCAR.com. “When you’ve gone through this before, you always wonder if it will happen again. Well, it has, and I couldn’t be more overjoyed.”
Gaughan, known for his exuberance, serves as the vice chairman of racing operations for Beard Motorsports. He initially drove for the team from its establishment in 2017 until 2020, limiting his participation to no more than four races annually. This emotional moment unfolded as Alfredo secured a spot in the Daytona 500.https://www.nascar.com/