Powered by a newly designed Ford, driver Joey Logano blitzed the qualifying field and edged Michael McDowell on Wednesday night to earn the pole for Sunday’s Daytona 500 at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.
With Speedweeks opening without time for the drivers to take a practice lap, Logano turned a hot lap of 181.947 to earn his first pole for the “Great American Race.”
McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 titleholder, finished 0.071 seconds behind the ‘22 Cup Series champion and will start on the outside of the front row.
Among the six open entries, Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan earned starting positions for Sunday. The remaining starting grid spots (No. 3-40) will be solidified Thursday night with two Duel races.
Joey Logano is on the pole! Michael McDowell joins him on the front row. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/6uvOdI6BJw
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2024
Ford, Toyota Debuts Newly Designed Machines
Two of NASCAR’s three automakers underwent body style redesigns during the offseason. Appearing for the first time as Daytona Speedweeks opened Wednesday with Cup Series qualifying, Ford and Toyota machines showed off their new machines.
The alterations were geared to causing less drag and creating more downforce.
Ford’s version, the Mustang Dark Horse, showed early promise with three of the top four finishers during Wednesday’s qualifying. Following Logano and McDowell, Austin Cindric earned a P4.
Toyota introduced the new Camry XSE, but none of the manufacturers’ pilots placed in the top 10 Wednesday.
Mustang’s racing heritage takes a new turn in @NASCAR.
Announcing the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse: a legacy refined, ushering in the next era of speed. #BredtoRaceFP pic.twitter.com/GNs8FBQgdi— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) November 1, 2023
Daytona 500 Top 10 Qualifying
Here is a look at the top 10 finishers during Wednesday’s qualifying for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Daytona 500 at Daytona International 500:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team
- 1, Joey Logano, 22, Team Penske
- 2, Michael McDowell, 34, Front Row Motorsports
- 3, Kyle Larson, 5, Hendrick Motorsports
- 4, Austin Cindric, 2, Team Penske
- 5, Chase Elliott, 9, Hendrick Motorsports
- 6, William Byron, 24, Hendrick Motorsports
- 7, Kevin Harvick, 4, Stewart-Haas Racing
- 8, Austin Dillon, 3, Richard Childress Racing
- 9, Ross Chastain, 1, Trackhouse Racing
- 10, Harrison Burton, 21, Wood Brothers Racing
For the first time since 2012, @FordPerformance has an entry sitting on the pole for the #Daytona500, courtesy of @JoeyLogano.@Mc_Driver will start alongside the NASCAR Cup Series champion in second-place.#NASCARhttps://t.co/yHmSVgRqhN
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) February 15, 2024
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