2017 Can-Am Duels results: Denny Hamlin thwarts Hendrick sweep in 2nd race

It looked like Hendrick Motorsports was going to complete a sweep of the Can-Am Duel races Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway. Then Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin passed Dale Earnhardt Jr. to take the lead with two laps remaining. The duels solidify the starting lineup for the 2017 season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway (2 p.m. ET).

Who won?

In his first race in seven months, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was dominant and showed no rust after missing the entire second half of the 2016 season with a concussion. However, Hamlin was better when it mattered and completed a textbook restrictor-plate pass of Earnhardt to claim the win.

What happened?

Using the momentum that formed in the outside lane behind him, Hamlin was able to get alongside Earnhardt just enough that Earnhardt could not complete the block. Hamlin, the defending Daytona 500 winner, then charged by and drove away. Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch finished second and third. Earnhardt slid to sixth.

Who qualified for the Daytona 500?

Elliott Sadler and Canadian D.J. Kennington raced their way into Sunday’s race.

Who missed out?

Timmy Hill suffered mechanical troubles and was unable to finish high enough to make the Daytona 500 field.

What else of note?

Ryan Blaney’s strong effort was negated when David Ragan tapped the rear of Blaney’s car, sending him bouncing off the backstretch wall. The damage necessitated a green-flag pit stop and Blaney fell multiple laps behind. He finished 20th. ... Defending Monster Energy Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson was also involved in the Blaney-Ragan tussle, damaging the right-front on the No. 48 car. Johnson was able to make repairs and continued. He finished 13th.