DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Denny Hamlin led a trio of Toyota drivers — the producer claimed 5 of the highest six spots — in Wednesday’s opening observe for the Daytona 500.
The 50-minute morning session was the one scheduled on-track time earlier than qualifying Wednesday night time, when the entrance row will likely be set for “The Nice American Race.”
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, paced Bubba Wallace, who drives a 23XI entry co-owned by Hamlin and NBA Corridor of Famer Michael Jordan. Hamlin’s teammate at JGR, Ty Gibbs, was third.
Chandler Smith, in a Ford for Entrance Row Motorsports, was fourth. 23XI and Entrance Row have joined collectively on a federal antitrust case in opposition to NASCAR, accusing the sanctioning physique of being a monopoly.
John Hunter Nemechek, in a Toyota for the Jimmie Johnson-owned Legacy Motor Membership, was fifth. Riley Herbst, the brand new driver at 23XI, was sixth in Toyota’s observe romp.
Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing was the quickest Chevrolet in seventh. Helio Castroneves, who at 49 will likely be making his NASCAR debut Sunday, was twelfth because the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is racing for Trackhouse.
Former Cup collection champions Martin Truex Jr. and Johnson have been thirty first and thirty second, respectively. Each drivers must qualify their manner into the race. 9 drivers are vying for the ultimate 4 spots within the area.
Johnson is a seven-time NASCAR champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner. Truex has by no means gained the five hundred in 20 begins however is the 2017 Cup champion. Each are in Toyotas.
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