DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Joey Logano held off Christopher Bell coming out of Turn 4 to win the first Bluegreen Vacations Duel Race No. 1 at Daytona Int’l Speedway Thursday night.
The Team Penske driver took the lead on lap 32 after the Ford and Toyota drivers pitted. Logano kept his No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford in front and led the line of cars in single-file race to the closing laps of the race. With two laps to go, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace got a run and passed Harrison Burton for fifth place.
On the final lap, Bell was the only Toyota in contention and was able to go underneath Kevin Harvick’s Ford to make a run on Logano. The two cars went side-by-side out of Turn 4 with Logano holding the inside line.
It was the sixth career Duel win for Team Penske. Ford has won eight of the last 11 Duels at Daytona.
“A great job by the Shell/Pennzoil team,” Logano said. “The execution of this race is everything because you know most likely there won’t be a caution so you’ve got to do a good job on pit road, cycle yourself to the front … I knew the 20 (Bell) would make the run to the outside and my buddy in the 12, Blaney, helped push me across the line.”
Zane Smith raced his way into the Daytona 500 with an eighth-place finish.
“Michael McDowell was a huge help,” Smith said. “It’s such a cool day. It’s crazy I’m going to be racing in the Daytona 500. What I love about the Cup Series is you can trust everybody around you except on Sunday. At least I’m in it. Those Duels were a little nerve racking and fortunately our plan worked.”
Smith is the reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion.
For the first time ever, the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series champions will all compete in the Daytona 500.
Logano defeated Bell by about three feet.
“I need to watch it back and see what happened. Stevie, my spotter, got on there and said I didn’t have any help once I got outside the 22 (Logano). Yeah, so ultimately thrilled with second, to get nine points,” Bell said. “Speedway racing has been a really big struggle for us and it’s been a focus to try and execute a little bit better. Proud of all of our partners at Rheem and DeWalt to get them a good showing early on in the season at one of my weaker race tracks, so hopefully we can build on this and maybe finish my first Daytona 500.”
Blaney was third in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford.
“I thought it was the right move to get in front of the 20, they had a good run, I got to the top and it stalled out and didn’t have anywhere to go,” Blaney explained. “I think we have a fast car for Sunday.”
Chris Buescher was fourth in the No. 17 Ford with former Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell rounding out the top five.
Chandler Smith finished 18th, one lap down, and will not advance into the Daytona 500 — one of only two drivers that have to go home.
“It was an opportunity that Matt Kaulig gave me,” Smith said. “I’m fine with this. I learned a lot. From that one Duel, I learned so, so much. I can’t thank everyone at Kaulig Racing enough. Hopefully, we can make another attempt next year.”
Logano will attempt to win his third Daytona 500 on Sunday. He will start third.
“Good Penske effort there to get a Duels win. Much better than what happened last year, so glad to have a nice start here for the season,” Logano said. “Daytona is where you want to win. It will be even more special on Sunday.”