Who Must Race Into The Daytona 500?
Written by I Dig Sports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Heading into Thursday nights Duels at Daytona that set the field for Sundays 67th Daytona 500, essentially only two spots in the field remain.
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and 2016 series champion Martin Truex Jr. locked into the field during Wednesdays qualifying session, while four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves is secured a spot in the field by way of NASCARs Open Exemption Provisional for World Class Drivers.
However, all three could improve their positions in the starting field by racing their way in during the two qualifying races.
Truex earned the 12th starting spot in the first Duel, while Johnson, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, starts 14th in the second Duel.
Should Truex or Johnson earn the one available race-in position in each Duel, Justin Allgaier (first Duel) and Corey LaJoie (second Duel) could earn a spot based on their qualifying times.
While only the front row (Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric) is set for the Daytona 500, all drivers including the 36 charter teams will earn starting spots based on finishing position in the Duels.
Truex, who is driving for TRICON Garage, leads the Open cars in the first Duel. Justin Allgaier, aboard the first-time Cup Series entry for Dale Earnhardt Jr.s JRM Motorsports team, will start 17th in hopes of racing into the field.
Castroneves (20th), Chandler Smith (22nd) and J.J. Yeley (23rd) will also be racing for the qualifying position. However, if Castroneves does not earn it, the field will expand to 41 cars to accommodate his provisional status.
Johnson, in his Legacy Motor Club entry, leads the Open contingent in the second Duel. Chasing Johnson for the guaranteed spot are LaJoie, who starts 17th in a Rick Ware Racing Ford, Anthony Alfredo (20th) and B.J. McLeod (21st).