Joey Logano claimed a hard-fought victory in the first 150-mile Daytona Duel on Thursday, securing a strong third-place starting spot for the Daytona 500, set for February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. The Joey Logano Daytona Duel win was a highlight amid fierce competition, leaving two drivers out of the lineup for Sunday’s iconic race.
Logano Claims Fourth Duel Victory for Team Penske
Launching from the sixth starting position, Joey Logano piloted the No. 22 Team Penske Ford to the front of the pack, skillfully maneuvering along the high line. This win marked Logano’s fourth triumph in a Daytona Duel, giving him the most victories among current drivers. Close behind, Ryan Blaney, Logano’s teammate at Team Penske, finished second in the No. 12 Ford. Logano emphasized the collaborative nature of the win:
“Just took a lot of teamwork all the way through,”
Joey Lagano, Victory Lane.
He added,
“I thought back to 2015 and I didn’t want to leave a big gap there. We did a good job getting off pit road.”
Joey Lagano, Victory Lane.
As Logano celebrated in Victory Lane, his performance added yet another career milestone and maintained his reputation for excelling in high-stakes qualifying races at Daytona.
Casey Mears Secures Spot in the Daytona 500 After Late-Race Drama
While Joey Logano’s win grabbed headlines, the Duel also provided emotional moments for non-chartered and open drivers fighting for a single available spot in the Daytona 500. Casey Mears, driving the damaged No. 66 Ford, clinched his place in the race after an intense sequence in the closing laps. Corey LaJoie, a leading contender among open entries, spun into the outside wall on the last lap, opening the door for Mears.
Mears initially fell a lap behind but managed to regain his position on the lead lap following the second of three caution periods. Describing the pressure of the moment, Mears said:
“When I was sitting there spinning in the grass I was worried about going two laps down,”
Casey Mears, Driver.
He reflected further,
“Once we got back on the lead lap, I just worked my way up front. I hit the No. 99 (Corey LaJoie) square in the back and I knew that wouldn’t cause much damage.”
Casey Mears, Driver.
The contact with LaJoie that left Mears’ car damaged occurred as LaJoie spun sideways after colliding with the outside wall. Mears’ sixth-place finish earned high-fives from his crew and granted him access to “The Great American Race.”
Corey LaJoie and Chandler Smith Miss the Daytona 500 Cut
Corey LaJoie, driving the No. 99 RFK Ford and at one point the top open car on track, lost his chance to compete in the Daytona 500 after crashing out in the final laps. Chandler Smith and the No. 36 Ford were also eliminated from contention after being caught up in a multi-car incident with five laps to go. The events marked a disappointing end for both drivers as they failed to secure a starting spot for Sunday’s premier race, packing up and departing Daytona early.
Frequent Cautions Interrupt Race Flow
The first Duel featured several caution periods, each impacting teams’ strategies and positions. On lap 45, as the field entered pit road under green flag conditions, Noah Gragson in the No. 4 Ford and Mears made contact at pit entry, leading both through the infield grass. Gragson was able to return to pit road, but Mears became stuck, prompting a caution and giving teams a chance to reset under yellow flag conditions.
In another late-race incident, Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota spun through the backstretch asphalt with Austin Dillon’s No. 3 car just behind. The mishap also ensnared Chris Buescher, Smith, and defending Daytona 500 champion William Byron in the No. 24 Chevrolet, with Byron suffering the most significant damage.
These incidents not only influenced the outcomes for individual drivers but also set the stage for a dramatic and unpredictable Daytona 500.
Anticipation Builds for the Daytona 500
With the field now set, the 68th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday and will be broadcast live on FOX-TV, MRN Radio, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans can expect more high-intensity racing as Joey Logano, Casey Mears, and other top competitors vie for one of NASCAR’s most prestigious titles at Daytona International Speedway.
