Michael McDowell picked up his first career NASCAR Cup Series win in his 358th start at last year’s Daytona 500. With a second-place finish in his qualifying race yesterday and the fastest time in final practice Friday (Feb. 18) at 192.68 mph, his Daytona 500 defense is off to a great start.
Front Row Motorsports topped the charts, as McDowell’s teammate and 2022 Cup Rookie of the Year contender Todd Gilliland posted the second quickest time. David Ragan, in a return to Rick Ware Racing’s No. 15 car, wound up third.
The Ford teams made a statement in this practice round, as they ultimately posted 10 of the 12 fastest times. RFK Racing teammates and qualifying race winners Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski were fourth and fifth, no worse for wear after their wheels were confiscated by NASCAR for a potential rules violation earlier in the day.
Cody Ware was sixth fastest, followed by Bubba Wallace as the fastest Toyota and non-Ford driver in seventh. Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Chase Briscoe, Aric Almirola, Kevin Harvick, and Cole Custer had the eighth, ninth, 11th, and 12th fastest times, respectively. Noah Gragson was the fastest Chevy driver, sandwiched in between the SHR drivers in 10th.
Of the 40 cars qualified for the Daytona 500, 34 of them took to the track in the Friday practice session.
Full Daytona 500 Final Practice Results
The 2022 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2:30 p.m. E.T., with TV coverage provided by FOX.
DAYTONA RACE WEEKEND CENTRAL
About the author
Stephen Stumpf is the NASCAR Content Director for Frontstretch and is a three-year veteran of the site. His weekly columns include “Stat Sheet” and “4 Burning Questions.” He also writes commentary, contributes to podcasts, edits articles and is frequently at the track for on-site coverage.
Can find on Twitter @stephen_stumpf.
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