The first of two Can-Am Duel qualifying races concluded with Chase Elliott reaching victory lane Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway. The finishing order of the duels set the odd-numbered starters for Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2 p.m. ET, Fox).
Can-Am Duels 2017 results: Chase Elliott tops the first race
The sophomore driver stole the spotlight in the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying races.
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Who won?
Daytona 500 pole-sitter Elliott not only kept his car clean and damage-free to ensure he kept the No. 1 starting position on Sunday, he won the first duel in impressive fashion over former Daytona 500 winners Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick.
What happened?
As expected, the duel shaped up between Brad Keselowski’s Ford vs. Kyle Busch’s Toyota with the jousting for the lead throughout the first half. But Daytona 500 pole-sitter Chase Elliott interjected himself in the proceedings during the second pass executing a power pass of Keselowski for the lead — a lead Elliott would not relinquish.
Who qualified for the Daytona 500?
Brendan Gaughan and Corey LaJoie claimed the two transfer positions — Gaughan by virtue of being the fastest qualifier among the six non-chartered teams, and LaJoie by being the highest finisher of the open teams.
Who missed out?
Reed Sorenson was the only driver from the first duel who failed to qualify for the Daytona 500. He was holding the transfer slot when contact with LaJoie through the tri-oval caused Sorenson to crash hard into the inside wall just past the start/finish. Sorenson walked away and was evaluated and released from the infield care center.
What else of note?
Had the 21-year-old Elliott damaged his No. 24 Chevrolet beyond repair, he would’ve had to forfeit the pole and drop to the rear of the field for the start of the Daytona 500. Pre-race favorite Joey Logano, who won the exhibition Clash at Daytona last weekend, had to make an early unscheduled pit stop due to a vibration and fell a lap down. After changing tires, the No. 22 team determined the right-front tire was loose. Logano would get his lap back and finished ninth. ... Rookie Daniel Suarez ran an uneventful night, finishing 13th.
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