Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell prevail in the Daytona 500 duel while Jimmie Johnson enters the race undetected

Jimmie Johnson’s thrilling last-lap maneuver secured his entry into the Daytona 500, while Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell emerged victorious in the Duel qualifying races on Thursday night.

Johnson’s remarkable feat unfolded during the first Duel race, where he found himself on the outside looking in with just one lap remaining. However, a strategic move allowed him to overtake JJ Yeley in the final moments, securing his spot in the Daytona 500. Despite encountering a minor setback earlier in the race due to a collision involving Austin Dillon and Daniel Hemric, Johnson’s perseverance ultimately paid off.

Reddick’s triumph in the first Duel race was marked by a heart-stopping moment when he narrowly avoided a potential collision with Ty Gibbs during pit stops. Bell, on the other hand, emerged victorious in the second Duel race, executing a decisive maneuver to overcome a block from his teammate Denny Hamlin. Despite facing pressure from Austin Cindric in the closing stages, Bell maintained his composure to clinch the victory.

In a dramatic turn of events, Kaz Grala secured the final spot in the Daytona 500 following a tense battle with BJ McLeod in the second Duel race.

The performances of Reddick and Bell highlighted the strength of Toyota’s race pace, with both drivers showcasing impressive performances throughout the qualifying races. Despite not being the fastest in single-car qualifying, Toyota’s strong showing in the draft positions the manufacturer favorably for Sunday’s race, with six of its cars starting inside the top 15.

However, looming uncertainty surrounds the Daytona 500 due to an impending storm system that threatens to impact Florida over the weekend. While Friday night’s Truck Series race is expected to proceed as scheduled, the ARCA and Xfinity Series races on Saturday, along with Sunday’s Daytona 500, face potential postponement. With an 80% chance of rain forecasted for both Saturday and Sunday, fans are advised to monitor the weather closely, with the possibility of the race being rescheduled to 24hscore Monday.

As anticipation builds for the Daytona 500, excitement mounts over the starting lineup, which features a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Joey Logano secures pole position, followed by Michael McDowell, Tyler Reddick, and Christopher Bell. With a diverse field of drivers set to compete, including notable names such as Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric, and Denny Hamlin, the stage is set for a thrilling showcase of speed and skill.

As the countdown to the Daytona 500 continues, fans eagerly await the culmination of months of preparation and anticipation. With each driver vying for victory and glory on the iconic Daytona International Speedway, the stage is set for a spectacle of epic proportions.

Daytona 500 starting lineup:

1. Joey Logano

2. Michael McDowell

3. Tyler Reddick

4. Christopher Bell

5. Chase Elliott

6. Austin Cindric

7. Alex Bowman

8. Denny Hamlin

9. Carson Hocevar

10. John Hunter Nemechek

11. Erik Jones

12. Harrison Burton

13. Daniel Suarez

14. Zane Smith

15. Ty Gibbs

16. Brad Keselowski

17. Kyle Larson

18. William Byron

19. Chris Buescher

20. Chase Briscoe

21. Ross Chastain

22. Justin Haley

23. Jimmie Johnson

24. Bubba Wallace

25. Ryan Preece

26. Kaz Grala

27. Martin Truex Jr.

28. AJ Allmendinger

29. Corey LaJoie

30. Josh Berry

31. Todd Gilliland

32. Ryan Blaney

33. Austin Dillon

34. Kyle Busch

35. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

36. Riley Herbst

37. Daniel Hemric

38. Noah Gragson

39. Anthony Alfredo

40. David Ragan