Following Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s win in Can-Am Duel No. 1, defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch took the second the qualifying race Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway, which determines the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Can-Am Duel 2016 results: Kyle Busch wins; Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson crash on last lap
The 2015 Sprint Cup champion started his title defense with a win in the second Daytona 500 qualifying race.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Who won?
Busch was leading when a multi-car accident erupted behind him with one lap remaining, ending the Duel No. 2 under caution. Jamie McMurray finished second, Kurt Busch third, Carl Edwards fourth and Ty Dillon fifth.
What happened?
As superior as Earnhardt was winning the first Duel, Joe Gibbs Racing was just as dominant in the second. Teammates Busch and Matt Kenseth combined to lead 58 of 60 laps. But while Busch went to Victory Lane, Kenseth got collected in the last lap melee and placed 16th.
Who qualified for the Daytona 500?
Robert Richardson Jr., who just secured a ride two weeks ago, finished 18th to transfer. He gives BK Racing, a midsize team, four cars in Sunday’s race joining teammates David Ragan, Michael Waltrip and Matt DiBenedetto.
Who missed out?
David Gilliland and Reed Sorenson failed to advance.
What else of note?
The crash on the final lap began when McMurray threw a block on Jimmie Johnson, who admittedly over-braked and then spun in Turn 1. In the aftermath, Kenseth, Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Danica Patrick and A.J. Allmendinger all sustained damage. Johnson, Kenseth, Allmendinger and Truex will all move to a backup car for the Daytona 500.
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