Bowman, Byron claim front row for Hendrick team
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — New number. New day. New time.
Same result for Hendrick Motorsports.
Alex Bowman and William Byron swept the front row Wednesday night in qualifying for the Daytona 500, giving Hendrick its 14th pole and sixth in the last seven years. Hendrick’s engine-building wing has seven straight poles because it powers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., last year’s polewinner.
“It doesn’t really have a lot to do with me. It’s a testament to these guys and everybody back at the shop at Hendrick Motorsports,” Bowman said. “They work so hard on these superspeedway cars. They’re beautiful when they get to the race track.”
Bowman posted a lap at 191.261 mph to earn the top starting spot for the second time in his career. It’s the fourth consecutive year Bowman will start from the front row, but he’s got a completely new look this time.
Bowman in the offseason was moved from the No. 88 into the No. 48 vacated by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. He inherited sponsor Ally, which has committed to backing Bowman and helping him develop his brand.
“It’s really hard to sit here and be like, ‘I did it and I did this and that and that’s why we are on the front row for four consecutive years,’ ” Bowman said. “It’s more about the people that make it happen. I floored it, but I’m pretty sure everybody else did, too. I’m just appreciative to have a fast car.”
Bowman drove his Chevrolet more than 1 mph faster than teammate Byron, who qualified second with a lap at 190.219 mph.
Only the front row was set Wednesday, the first time Daytona 500 qualifying has been held at night under a condensed Speedweeks schedule.
“You never know which of the four of us is going to have the speed,” Byron said of the four-car Hendrick stable. Chase Elliott was 11th
and Kyle Larson 15th to complete Hendrick’s lineup.
It’s the ninth consecutive year Chevrolet won the pole.
The 40-car field is determined through both time trials and a pair of Thursday night qualifying races. NASCAR sold 36 charters that guarantee those owners slots in the field, which leaves eight drivers vying for four “open” spots in the Super Bowl of stock-car racing.
Two spots were earmarked to the fastest “open” cars in time trials. David Ragan and Ryan Preece earned those berths.
Truex to keep driving for Gibbs
Martin Truex Jr. has signed a multi-year agreement to stay at Joe Gibbs Racing, where the 2017 NASCAR champion has won eight races in his two years with the team.
Truex joined Denny Hamlin as JGR drivers who signed contract extensions this month. Truex, Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell are all signed at Gibbs at least through 2022.
“This is where I wanted to be and to continue building on the success we have had together the past two years,” Truex said Wednesday.
Truex — whose latecareer metamorphosis from journeyman to champion was unprecedented in NASCAR history — signed with Gibbs after Furniture Row Racing folded after the 2018 season. Truex won the 2017 Cup title with FRR and was series runner-up in 2018 and 2019. He had only one win driving the No. 19 Toyota and finished seventh in the points standings last season.
“Extending Martin’s agreement has been a big priority for us this off season,” Gibbs said. “Obviously he’s talented and shown he can win at any racetrack, but his insights also helps to make all our teams better.”