Joey Logano, representing Team Penske, made a striking entrance into the final qualifying round of the Daytona 500, securing the pole position with an impressive average lap speed of 181.947 mph.
His feat not only marked the first pole for a Ford driver in the Daytona 500 since Carl Edwards in 2012 but also the inaugural pole win for team owner Roger Penske. This triumph signifies Logano’s maiden pole position at the 500 and the 29th of his career.
In his humble acknowledgment of the achievement, Logano attributed the success to the collective effort of his team, emphasizing the crucial role of the car in superspeedway qualifying.
He expressed gratitude for the meticulous work done by his team, highlighting the significance of this victory for Team Penske and Ford, particularly with the Dark Horse Mustang.
Joining Logano on the front row is Michael McDowell, another Ford driver representing Front Row Motorsports, with an average lap speed of 181.686 mph. Notably, McDowell clinched victory in the 2021 Daytona 500.
Kyle Larson secured the third-fastest time, emerging as the highest-performing Hendrick driver. The streak of Hendrick-powered poles for the Daytona 500 extended to nine years, exemplified by Larson’s performance.
The top 10 qualifiers also include Austin Cindric, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Austin Dillon, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, and Harrison Burton. However, it’s worth noting the absence of any Toyota drivers in the final round of qualifying.
Only Logano and McDowell have secured their starting positions for Sunday’s race, with the remaining lineup to be determined by the results of Thursday night’s twin 150-mile qualifying races.
During the initial qualifying round, Logano led the pack with an average lap speed of 181.302 mph, followed closely by Larson and Dillon. Hendrick Cars claimed three of the top five spots, with Byron and Elliott also showcasing strong performances.
Meanwhile, Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan secured spots in the field for Sunday’s race by posting the top two speeds among the unchartered cars. Alfredo represents Beard Motorsports, while Ragan drives a third entry for RFK Racing.
However, Kaz Grala faced setbacks, failing to post a speed due to issues with his car. Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, driving for Legacy Motor Club, ended up in 35th position and will have to race his way into the Daytona 500 in Thursday night’s qualifying races despite harboring higher expectations.
In anticipation of Thursday’s races, Johnson remains optimistic, aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious event through hard-fought competition.
