Bowman puts No. 88 on the pole at Daytona
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Alex Bowman put an old familiar car on top of the Daytona 500 leader board.
Bowman won the pole for “The Great American Race” in his debut as the official driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet, piloted until last season by NASCAR rock star Dale Earnhardt Jr. Six of Earnhardt’s 17 career victories at Daytona International Speedway came in that car, including one of his Daytona 500 victories.
Earnhardt was a seven-time pole winner at Daytona, too.
With Earnhardt retired, the empty seat in the No. 88 went to Bowman and he wasted no time making the Camaro his own. Bowman turned a lap at 195.644 mph on Sunday to earn the top starting spot for the Daytona 500.
“I think it’s still a little surreal,” said Bowman, who will race in his second Daytona 500.
“It’s a dream come true just to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. I never would have thought it would happen after the path my career took.”
Denny Hamlin, the 2016 winner, qualified second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing with a lap at 195.092. Only the top two cars were locked into next Sunday’s season-opening race. The remainder of the field will be set by a pair of qualifying races on Thursday.
Advance Auto Parts Clash: Brad Keselowski led a 1-2 Team Penske sweep in the exhibition race that marks the opening of Speedweeks.
The three-car Penske contingent moved to the front of the field and had the race in control as they closed in on the checkered flag. Keselowski had a piece of garbage stuck to the front of his Ford, and that appeared to be his only challenge.
Ryan Blaney pulled out of line from behind Keselowski on the final lap in an attempt to beat his teammate, but he was left alone in the bottom lane and faded. Joey Logano didn’t mount a challenge and settled for second.
Kyle Larson made contact with Jimmie Johnson on the final lap to trigger an accident that allowed Keselowski an easier route to victory lane.
“I have never won anything here during Speedweeks and I feel like I have choked them away to be quite honest,” Keselowski said. “You need one to break through. Hopefully, this is our breakthrough.”