Buildup to the Daytona 500 and a fresh season of NASCAR Cup Series racing is finally here, with the Daytona Duels taking place Thursday night.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Alex Bowman have already claimed the first two spots in the field through pole qualifying, but everything else is up for grabs. The results of Duel 1 will set the inside row for Sunday’s race, and the results of Duel 2 will set the outside row. There are also two spots for the Daytona 500 that need to be filled, making Thursday night crucial for drivers who haven’t yet qualified.
MORE: Daytona 500 TV, live steam info
Denny Hamlin won the Daytona 500 last year, while Austin Dillon claimed the victory in 2018.
We’re keeping track of live updates and highlights from Thursday night’s Bluegreen Vacations Duel races at Daytona. Follow along below.
9:14 p.m. — Logano holds on to win Duel 1. He won his duel here in 2019 as well. Aric Almirola finished second and Ryan Newman finished third.
Joey Logano wins Daytona Duel No. 1 over Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, Martin Truex and Ricky Stenhouse. Ford sweeps the top-four. That said, Ricky Stenhouse’s new No. 47 looked really good. — Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) February 14, 2020
Joey Logano wins Daytona Duel No. 1 over Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman, Brad Keselowski, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, Martin Truex and Ricky Stenhouse.
Ford sweeps the top-four.
That said, Ricky Stenhouse’s new No. 47 looked really good.
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverAW) February 14, 2020
Haley and Sorenson are the open cars who make the Daytona 500 from this duel. Suarez and Finchum fail to make Daytona 500. — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2020
Haley and Sorenson are the open cars who make the Daytona 500 from this duel. Suarez and Finchum fail to make Daytona 500.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 14, 2020
9:12 p.m. — Stenhouse Jr. is making a strong final push. So far, though, Logano is holding steady.
9:08 p.m. — Logano is chugging along nicely with fewer than 10 laps to go.
Nine to go. Logano leads a single-file line of Fords, though they are starting to split up behind him now. Sorenson still in good shape. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
Nine to go. Logano leads a single-file line of Fords, though they are starting to split up behind him now. Sorenson still in good shape.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
9:04 p.m. — Stenhouse Jr. falls back, and Logano gains full possession of first place with 14 laps remaining.
9:01 p.m. — Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano are now running neck-and-neck at the front.
8:57 p.m. — We’re back to green after that crash. Twenty-three more laps remain in Duel 1.
8:45 p.m. — Update: Suarez is done for the night, and by extension, also finished for the weekend.
Daniel Suarez is out of the car and done for the night. He will not make the 62nd #Daytona500 — Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) February 14, 2020
Daniel Suarez is out of the car and done for the night. He will not make the 62nd #Daytona500
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) February 14, 2020
8:44 p.m — Caution is out after the first crash of the night. Daniel Suarez — who is still fighting for a place in the Daytona 500 — was involved in the wreck.
8:38 p.m. — Drivers are starting to pit.
8:31 p.m. — Stenhouse Jr., who has already clinched the top starting spot in the Daytona 500, continues to pace the field here in Duel 1. Behind him is an array of veteran drivers constantly alternating positions. Right now it’s Elliott in second and Clint Bowyer in third.
8:23 p.m. — Stenhouse Jr., Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin lead the pack through five laps.
8:17 p.m. — Duel 1 is officially underway about an hour later than scheduled.
Coming to the green flag, folks. Again, it’s 60 laps, no stages. Stenhouse-Elliott-Hamlin-Almirola-Bell. Suarez, Sorenson, Finchum trying to race their way in. “We got this,” Suarez radios. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
Coming to the green flag, folks. Again, it’s 60 laps, no stages. Stenhouse-Elliott-Hamlin-Almirola-Bell.
Suarez, Sorenson, Finchum trying to race their way in. “We got this,” Suarez radios.
8:08 p.m. — Looks like we’re about to get going for real this time.
8:01 p.m. — Good news: Drivers are headed back to their cars.
On the stadium PA, they are calling drivers back to their cars. Via NASCAR scanner, they are letting crews come out and uncover cars now. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
On the stadium PA, they are calling drivers back to their cars. Via NASCAR scanner, they are letting crews come out and uncover cars now.
7:48 p.m. — Nothing new to report on the delay. It’s still unclear when Duel 1 might be able to take place tonight.
7:26 p.m. — Heavy duty equipment being brought in.
7:16 p.m. — After engines were fired up and wheels were rolling, rain intensified. Red flag is out.
Engines are fired and cars are rolling … however, the rain has picked up and cars are going to come back to pit road. — Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) February 14, 2020
Engines are fired and cars are rolling … however, the rain has picked up and cars are going to come back to pit road.
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) February 14, 2020
7:15 p.m. — Oh nooooo.
Skies just opened up on the frontstretch. Fans scattering from the stands. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
Skies just opened up on the frontstretch. Fans scattering from the stands.
7:10 p.m. — Engines fired. Cars moving.
Engines fired for Duel No. 1 at Daytona. 60 laps, 150 miles. No stages. Daniel Suarez, Reed Sorenson, Chad Finchum trying to race their way into the Daytona 500 from this Duel. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
Engines fired for Duel No. 1 at Daytona. 60 laps, 150 miles. No stages. Daniel Suarez, Reed Sorenson, Chad Finchum trying to race their way into the Daytona 500 from this Duel.
7:08 p.m. — No delays in sight. Duel 1 is about to get underway.
7 p.m. — Hello, everyone. Welcome to a new NASCAR season. There’s some light rain at Daytona right now but nothing too serious. Hopefully there won’t be a delay.
Pre-race ceremonies starting now for the Duels, but (as you can see/read/etc.), it’s drizzling out there. — Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2020
Pre-race ceremonies starting now for the Duels, but (as you can see/read/etc.), it’s drizzling out there.
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