“Amelia” flew to another victory at Daytona International Speedway as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. held off Joey Logano to bring his No. 88 to victory lane in Thursday’s Can-Am Duel No. 1.
“We knew it was a really good car,” Earnhardt said. “This car, actually a lot of people don’t talk about it, but it won the 150 last year, too. So it has three wins, a second and a third [place finishes] last year.”
On the 15th anniversary of his father’s passing in 2001, Earnhardt realizes the win is another brick on the wall of the Earnhardt legacy.
“Another win at Daytona for the Earnhardts,” he said. “Keep adding to the legacy. We’re up there in the 50’s now with all the wins we got here.”
Michael McDowell raced his Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing No.59 Chevrolet into Sunday following a 14th-place result.
“When Blaney had a problem there, we were counting on him to race his way in,” McDowell said. “At the end we just dug hard and the [No.] 21 got going, came to the white flag and I was like ‘Ah, I’m right in the middle of it!'”
Ryan Blaney overcame an early vibration issue – pitting early on lap 30 – to drive up to third at the finish. He brings the Wood Brothers No. 21 to Sunday’s Daytona 500.
“I had Chase [Elliott] behind me, stuck with me, too,” Blaney said. “Good recovery. We had a couple issues early in the race, went a lap down. Luckily got a caution and got back on the lead lap.”
The caution occurred shortly after green-flag pit stops on lap 44, swallowing up Cole Whitt’s No. 98 Premium Motorsports ride, sending him to the garage and officially out of the Daytona 500.
“If we passed the [No.] 59, we’re probably going to make the Daytona 500. If we didn’t then we go home,” Whitt told Frontstretch after retiring from the race. “I just did everything I could to try and get by [McDowell] and he was throwing some blocks and I had a run and just didn’t want to lose it. I tried to take it like I could. I don’t think the [No.] 7 spun us out for anything like that.”
Kevin Harvick came home fourth after starting from the rear of the field. Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Chris Buescher and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. rounded out the top 10.
Brian Scott crashed off turn 4 coming to the checkered flag, leading his No. 44 Ford hard into the inside wall. He was checked and released from infield care center.
2016 Can-Am Duel 1 At Daytona Results
| Finish | Start | Car Number | Driver | Team | Laps Completed | Status | Laps Led |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 88 | Dale Earnhardt, Jr. | Nationwide Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 43 |
| 2 | 7 | 22 | Joey Logano | Shell Pennzoil Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 3 | 4 | 21 | Ryan Blaney | Motorcraft Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 4 | 22 | 4 | Kevin Harvick | Jimmy John's Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 5 | 6 | 11 | Denny Hamlin | FedEx Toyota | 60 | Running | 13 |
| 6 | 1 | 24 | Chase Elliott | NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 2 |
| 7 | 8 | 5 | Kasey Kahne | Farmers Insurance Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 2 |
| 8 | 11 | 16 | Greg Biffle | KFC Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 9 | 15 | 34 | Chris Buescher (R) | Love's Travel Stops Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 10 | 3 | 17 | Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. | Fastenal Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 11 | 5 | 3 | Austin Dillon | Dow Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 12 | 17 | 6 | Trevor Bayne | Advocare Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 13 | 10 | 2 | Brad Keselowski | Miller Lite Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 14 | 13 | 59 | Michael McDowell | Thrivent Financial Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 15 | 14 | 7 | Regan Smith | Golden Corral/Nikko Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 16 | 20 | 23 | David Ragan | Dr. Pepper Toyota | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 17 | 21 | 30 | Josh Wise | Curtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 18 | 18 | 15 | Clint Bowyer | 5-Hour Energy Chevrolet | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 19 | 16 | 32 | Bobby Labonte | Can-Am Ford | 60 | Running | 0 |
| 20 | 12 | 44 | Brian Scott | Albertson's Ford | 59 | Accident | 0 |
| 21 | 9 | 27 | Paul Menard | Peak/Menards Chevrolet | 58 | Accident | 0 |
| 22 | 19 | 98 | Cole Whitt | RTIC Toyota | 47 | Accident | 0 |
About the author
Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.
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Who’s surprised? Any bets on the 500?
i have a feeling there will be a problem on pit road that will put him back in the pack and then a mess will happen. just don’t think he’ll win, too much pre-race hype about him being the one to beat.