Joey Logano leads Ford 1-2-3-4 in Duel #1 win
Joey Logano got some help from fellow Ford driver Aric Almirola to win the first of two Daytona 500 qualifying races on Thursday night.

With two of 60 laps remaining, Almirola shoved Logano into the lead and the Ford drivers provided some protective cover on the last lap as Logano cruised to the win.
It’s the fourth victory by a Ford driver in the last five Daytona 500 qualifying races.
“It feels so good,” Logano said. “Obviously, it’s the Duels, not the Daytona 500, but momentum is momentum. T.J. (Majors, his spotter) does such a great job up on the roof understanding the draft.
“I’ve been working with this new group here. They’ve been working together but I’m new with them and it’s been a good partnership so far. It’s been pretty seamless working out some of the kinks last week and being able to come to Victory Lane at Daytona.
“Winning anything at Daytona is such a big deal.”
Ryan Newman finished third, Brad Keselowski was fourth and Bubba Wallace rounded out the top-five.
With the win, Logano will line up third in Sunday’s Daytona 500, while Almirola will line up fifth.
Reed Sorenson finished 18th and one lap down but it was enough to claim the final spot in the 500 for non-charter teams from the first qualifying race.
Stenhouse, who started on the pole by virtue of his top speed in Sunday’s qualifying, led the first 23 laps until he and a contingent of fellow Chevrolets elected to pit.
Toyotas came the next lap but Martin Truex Jr. overshot his pit box and made contact with Christopher Bell, who was also pitting.
“I was staying with (Hamlin) my bad,” Truex said over his team radio.
On Lap 26 with the Fords yet to pit, Bowyer led the way.
On Lap 30, while exiting Turn 4 and attempting to head to pit road, Ryan Blaney hit Daniel Suarez as Blaney tried to move down the track to bring out the first caution of the race.
The Fords completed their pit stops under the caution and when the race resumed on Lap 38, Stenhouse was back in the lead followed by Chase Elliott, Newman and Logano.
With a push from Almirola on the high side, Logano powered into the lead on Lap 39. Stenhouse was able to work his way back to the front on the following lap.
Another push from Almirola sent Logano back to the point on Lap 41.
With help from Stenhouse and Elliott, Austin Dillon moved into the lead on Lap 44, only to see Logano reclaim the top spot one lap later.
With 10 laps remaining in the race, Logano maintained his hold on the lead, followed by Almirola, Newman, Keselowski and Bowyer. Stenhouse was the top non-Ford, at seventh.
After 55 laps, Logano and Almirola remained out front of the field.
With two laps remaining, Stenhouse got shove past Logano to retake the lead.
Newman had to start the race from the rear of the field for unapproved adjustments made to his No. 6 Ford.
Read Also:

Previous article
Daniel Suarez' Daytona 500 hopes end with Duel #1 crash
Next article
Fellow Chevys help Byron top Harvick for Duel #2 win

About this article
Series | NASCAR Cup |
Event | Daytona 500 |
Drivers | Joey Logano |
Teams | Team Penske |
Author | Jim Utter |
Joey Logano leads Ford 1-2-3-4 in Duel #1 win
From the archive: Dale Earnhardt’s final Autosport interview
The death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 shocked NASCAR to the core. At the Daytona 24 Hours, two weeks before his fatal accident, ‘The Intimidator’ shared his expectations of challenging for an eighth Cup title with JONATHAN INGRAM, in an article first published in the 15 February 2001 issue of Autosport magazine. Little did we know then what tragedy would unfold…
The lasting NASCAR legacy after Dale Earnhardt’s death
On February 18, 2001, seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Dale Earnhardt – the fearless ‘Intimidator’ – was in his element at Daytona International Speedway. While his own DEI team’s cars ran 1-2 towards the finish line, his famed #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo was playing rear gunner to block any late runs from the chasing pack. As the cars tore through Turns 3 and 4 on that fateful final lap, Earnhardt maintained the strongarm tactics that encapsulated his persona… but his actions in those moments sadly proved to be his last.
Inspired by Pitbull, the “revolution” sweeping through NASCAR
The NASCAR Cup Series is changing. Whether it be the gradual morphing out the seasoned drivers of yesterday as the next generation step up, a radical calendar shake-up featuring more road courses than ever before and the prospect of an all-new car on the horizon, stock car racing’s highest level is nearing the end of a huge facelift.
The NASCAR storylines to watch out for in 2021
This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season…
Why Kyle Larson can't blow his big shot at redemption
From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a chance of redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Effectively replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith...
Why Roger Penske is an American motorsport icon
In this exclusive one-on-one interview, Roger Penske reveals the inner drive that has made him not only a hugely successful team owner and businessman but also the owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar. He spoke to David Malsher-Lopez.
Why NASCAR's latest second-generation champion is just getting started
Chase Elliott's late charge to the 2020 NASCAR Cup title defied predictions that it would be a Kevin Harvick versus Denny Hamlin showdown. While the two veterans are showing no signs of slowing down, Elliott's triumph was a window into NASCAR's future…
Why Kyle Larson deserves his second chance in a cancel culture
“You can’t hear me? Hey n*****” Those fateful words uttered by Kyle Larson, spoken into his esports headset on April 12, were directed at his sim racing spotter – but instead they quickly became amplified around the world via social media, including his own Twitch stream.