NASCAR qualifying sets the front row for the Daytona 500
Today, they’ll set the front row for the Daytona 500. NASCAR Cup Series qualifying is up next at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
View full 2020 Daytona 500 qualifying results below.
2020 Daytona Menu: NCS
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The top two overall in this qualifying session will be locked on the front row for next week’s Daytona 500. That’s the big takeaway from this session.
3rd on back, will set their lineups for the Daytona Duels. Results of the two Duel races will set the starting order for 3rd on back in the Daytona 500.
7 cars are here without a charter. Two of those cars will lock themselves into the show based on their qualifying times set today. They still won;t know where they start as the Duels will determine that.
38 cars failed pre-qualifying inspection on their first attempt early this morning. NASCAR officials stated that an equipment failure caused this.
Related: 38 cars fail Daytona 500 inspection ahead of qualifying
Daytona Qualifying
Report
The first group includes every team outside of the top 20 in points from last year. Their order in this session is set by random draw.
BJ McLeod will not take part in this qualifying session. He broke a transmission. As the team repairs it, they would be starting in the rear regardless.
Justin Haley turned a 47.364. He’s the first on the non-charter teams to lock themselves into the Daytona 500.
Brendan Gaughan is the other driver of the non-charter teams to lock themselves into the show.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr is quickest at the conclusion of group A qualifying. He’s in a new team this year, driving the No. 47 for JTG-Daugherty Racing.
Group A Times: Ricky Stenhouse Jr (46.253); 2. Christopher Bell (46.818); 3. Tyler Reddick (46.983); 4. Chris Buescher (46.984); 5. Michael McDowell (47.070); 6. John Hunter Nemechek (47.076); 7. David Ragan (47.151); 8. Ross Chastain (47.262); 9. Austin Dillon (47.273); 10. Ty Dillon (47.353);
Group B
The top 20 cars in points from last season will roll in group B. The order in that group was also set by random draw.
Now, the times will likely start to drop.
11 cars remain, Ricky Stenhouse Jr remains at the top of the board. Most of the teams have lost a lot of speed in this session. The winds are up and a rear spoiler angle might have something to do with it as well.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr gaped everyone down the back stretch. Wind or spoiler, or both played a role there.
Alex Bowman was quickest in Daytona 500 qualifying practice. He’s the closest to Stenhouse Jr so far but Stenhouse is still quicker.
Bowman ran about two feet higher in the corner than Stenhouse Jr did. Both cars sparked their way all the way through the corner.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr will start from the pole position in the Daytona 500!
View full NASCAR qualifying times from Daytona below.
Daytona 500
Qualifying Results
February 9, 2020
NASCAR Cup Series
Session Start: 12:30pm
Pos | Driver | Time
1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
46.253
2. Alex Bowman
46.305
3. Chase Elliott
46.319
4. Jimmie Johnson
46.419
5. Denny Hamlin
46.528
6. Kyle Busch
46.662
7. Aric Almirola
46.732
8. William Byron
46.767
9. Christopher Bell
46.818
10. Erik Jones
46.859
11. Joey Logano
46.867
12. Kevin Harvick
46.869
13. Clint Bowyer
46.906
14. Cole Custer
46.921
15. Ryan Newman
46.950
16. Matt DiBenedetto
46.952
17. Ryan Preece
46.969
18. Tyler Reddick
46.983
19. Chris Buescher
46.984
20. Kyle Larson
46.987
21. Martin Truex Jr
46.994
22. Kurt Busch
47.052
23. Brad Keselowski
47.054
24. Michael McDowell
47.070
25. John Hunter Nemechek
47.076
26. David Ragan
47.151
27. Ryan Blaney
47.205
28. Ross Chastain
47.262
29. Austin Dillon
47.273
30. Ty Dillon
47.353
31. Justin Haley
47.364
32. Bubba Wallace
47.491
33. Brendan Gaughan
47.633
34. Reed Sorenson
48.037
35. Timmy Hill
48.225
36. Daniel Suarez
48.523
37. Corey LaJoie
48.605
38. Quin Houff
48.943
39. JJ Yeley
49.510
40. Brennan Poole
49.510
41. Chad Finchum
49.515
42. Joey Gase
50.068
43. Bj McLeod
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More
38 cars fail Daytona 500 inspection ahead of qualifying; NASCAR admits equipment failure
Daytona qualifying practice results