{"id":7350,"date":"2017-02-23T22:45:33","date_gmt":"2017-02-24T04:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=7350"},"modified":"2017-02-23T22:45:33","modified_gmt":"2017-02-24T04:45:33","slug":"elliott-hamlin-win-can-am-duel-races-at-daytona-international-speedway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2017\/02\/23\/elliott-hamlin-win-can-am-duel-races-at-daytona-international-speedway\/","title":{"rendered":"Elliott, Hamlin win Can-Am Duel races at Daytona International Speedway"},"content":{"rendered":"

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. <\/strong>\u2013 Chase Elliott<\/strong> and Denny Hamlin<\/strong> won the Can-Am Duel races on Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway, as the starting grid for Sunday\u2019s 59th annual DAYTONA 500 was established by the two 150-mile qualifying events.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 NAPA Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the first time since 1971, drivers in the Can-Am Duel earned Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/a> championship points for their efforts \u2013 the top-10 finishers in each race, to be exact. Drivers responded to that new situation by staging all-out battles in both 60-lappers. There was no indication of drivers playing it safe and looking ahead to the DAYTONA 500.<\/p>\n

That flat-out mindset was personified by Elliott in the No. 24 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet. He started on the pole of the first Can-Am Duel race after posting the fastest speed last Sunday during DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger \u2013 which also locked him into the pole position for the DAYTONA 500. Elliott led a total of 25 laps including the last 24 in dominating style.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a great way to start the season,\u201d Elliott said. \u201cI know this is just a Duel win and obviously I wish this was Sunday \u2026 but it still means a lot to me and it means a lot to our team.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe had some big steam under the hood which was a huge factor in keeping us out front. I\u2019m glad we were able to race and stay aggressive and battle those guys. Hopefully we can dial it in a little better on Sunday and give it another shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dale Earnhardt Jr., in the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet, had the pole for the second Can-Am Duel race after qualifying second behind Elliott last Sunday \u2013 which locked him into the DAYTONA 500 outside pole. Earnhardt led 53 of 60 laps but was passed by Hamlin in Turn 3 on Lap 59 and came home sixth. Hamlin got invaluable drafting help from a trailing Austin Dillon, using the momentum to zip by Earnhardt on the outside.<\/p>\n

Hamlin \u2013 the defending DAYTONA 500 champion \u2013 will start the No. 11 FedEx Toyota behind Earnhardt on Sunday in the fourth position, thanks to his Can-Am Duel victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a great car and we got a great push from Austin,\u201d Hamlin said. \u201c[Earnhardt] thought I was going one way and I went the other. I\u2019m not sure what this means or what this says [about our DAYTONA 500 chances] but overall, pretty happy with the result.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"
Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, leads Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, and Ryan Newman, driver of the #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 2 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two drivers from each Can-Am Duel race \u2013 part of a group of six \u201cOpen\u201d entries who came to Speedweeks without guaranteed spots in the DAYTONA 500 field \u2013 \u201craced their way\u201d into the big show via their Duel race result. (Thirty-six drivers were<\/em> guaranteed spots via their status as NASCAR \u201cCharter\u201d entries.) From the first Can-Am Duel race, it was Corey LaJoie; from the second race, it was DJ Kennington.<\/p>\n

Friday night at 7:30, the NextEra Energy Resources 250 will open the season for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Qualifying for the event will be at 4:30 p.m. There was one practice session for the trucks on Thursday, with rookie Chase Briscoe posting the fastest lap \u2013 192.980 mph \u2013 in the No. 29 Cooper Standard Ford \u2013 owned by Brad Keselowski Racing.<\/p>\n

Also Friday, two practice sessions will be held for both the DAYTONA 500 and the 59th annual PowerShares QQQ 300, Saturday\u2019s season-opening race for the NASCAR XFINITY Series.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops\/TRACKER BOATS Toyota, lead a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tickets for the 59th annual DAYTONA 500 and other Speedweeks events can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube andSnapchat, and by downloading Daytona International Speedway\u2019s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.<\/p>\n

Story courtesy of Daytona International Speedway Media Relations.  Photos courtesy of NASCAR<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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