NASCAR: Joey Logano breaks long Chevrolet streak with pole at Daytona 500

Finally two Fords on the front line after years of Chevrolet hegemony.

Text: Willem J. Staat
Photo: NASCAR/Toyota Racing USA

Joey Logano breaks Chevrolet’s longest pole streak at the Daytona 500
For 49.465 sec. Penske driver Joey Logano took his first ever Bud Light Pole Award. It meant a time of 181.947 mph. Logano thus beat fellow brand Michael McDowell (Front Row Motorsports). It meant two Fords on the front row for the Daytona 500. (In the event of a crash in qualifying, it is possible that both could lose their starting position). Interestingly, the Oxford dictionary gives the name “Dark Horse” to describe something that is little known or that wins or succeeds unexpectedly. This went very well during qualifying for Ford’s new body shape. The match will definitely be a different story.

For Joey Logano it meant the 29th shutout of his career. Joey Logano: “I’d like to take a loan. This is impossible today. This is all about the team. The crew did an amazing job. Qualifying at the Speedway was 100 percent driven by the car. There’s only so much a driver can do. I’m very proud of them. This means a big win.” for the team. Qualifying on the speedway means only 100 percent of the car.

Finally, for once, someone else wins the pole. This part feels good. I’ve never been near a pole on a speedway. My first speedway for the Daytona 500. Couldn’t be cooler, right?”

This sorry was really a bit unexpected for Ford, wasn’t it? In the previous 11 Daytona 500 races, the pole went to Hendrick Motorsports-powered Chevrolets, and in nine qualifying events, the pole went to a Hendrick Motorsports driver eight times. Something to be proud of for Ford. Especially for a car that has never been tested on the highway.

Interim runner David Ragan defeated Jimmie Johnson and is guaranteed a starting spot. “Opportunities you don’t get very often,” Ragan says.

Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson (181.635 mph), Chase Elliott (181.178 mph) and William Byron (181.174 mph) qualified third, fifth and sixth while Team Penske driver Austin Cindric (181.207 mph) qualified fourth. RCR drivers Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch were victorious respectively. qualifying seventh and eighth followed by Ross Chastain and Harrison Burton. Only Logano and McDowell know where they stand “right now” on Sunday. Other kickoffs will be at the Blue Green Holiday Scrimmage tonight. Two qualifying races over 150 miles. In the first race odd starting numbers will start and in the second even numbers will start.

Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and his 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota are among those who should get a chance to start this Sunday. It was sad to see that Toyota cars with a new body shape showed a remarkable lack of speed. Erik Jones, in 22nd, is the fastest Toyota driver and Johnson, in 35th, is one of the slowest.

Jimmie Johnson: “I definitely had high expectations, but we’re just tied with the other Toyotas. Erik Jones’ No. 35 got a lot more. So I wanted this one too. But it’s no different. See you Thursday night.”

There were six entries in the “competition” for the last four available starting positions. Due to technical problems, Kaz Grala still could not qualify. It meant that Anthony Alfredo (20th overall) and David Ragan were in the running while Jimmie Johnson failed to improve on his time of 179.283 mph.

Let’s hope Jimmie Johnson doesn’t become a legend in the Daytona 500. This would be something……..

David Ragan rode in Daytona for the last time in 2022. David Ragan: “When I drove every week I didn’t have much of a chance to beat Jimmie Johnson. But if I get a chance I will still take a small victory. Yes, this shows how close the competition is. Jimmie Johnson, BJ McLeod, Kaz Grala and JJ Yeley will compete for the final two starting spots tonight.