{"id":41407,"date":"2023-02-15T22:35:34","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T04:35:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=41407"},"modified":"2023-02-17T15:48:16","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T21:48:16","slug":"alex-bowman-sets-blistering-pace-in-daytona-500-qualifying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2023\/02\/15\/alex-bowman-sets-blistering-pace-in-daytona-500-qualifying\/","title":{"rendered":"Alex Bowman sets blistering pace in Daytona 500 qualifying"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 Wednesday was a banner day for Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, poses on the track during qualifying for the Busch Light Pole at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

After announcing a contract extension that will keep him in the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet through 2026, Bowman sped to his third DAYTONA 500 pole position, dominating both rounds of times trials at 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.<\/p>\n

The numbers are staggering\u2014and not just Bowman\u2019s final-round qualifying speed of 181.686 mph (49.536 seconds), which eclipsed the pole-winning speed of teammate Kyle Larson (181.159 mph) in the 2022 debut season of NASCAR\u2019s Next Gen Cup Series car.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Bowman eclipsed Larson in a different way. Larson ran 181.057 mph (49.708 seconds) to lock his No. 5 Hendrick Chevrolet into a front row start for the Great American Race. Hendrick driver William Byron was third fastest in the final round at 180.727 mph.<\/p>\n

Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, part owner of newly-christened Legacy Motor Club, celebrated his return to NASCAR after a two-year hiatus by locking into the DAYTONA 500 with a lap at 179.276 mph, fastest among the six drivers of unchartered cars and 23rd overall.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, poses for photos after winning the the Busch Light Pole Award at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

With four career Busch Light Pole Awards to his credit, Bowman will start on the front row in the DAYTONA 500 for a record sixth consecutive time. Hendrick drivers have won eight of the last nine DAYTONA 500 poles, and Chevrolet drivers have won the last 11.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just so proud of Hendrick Motorsports engine shop, all the guys,\u201d Bowman said. This Ally 48 Camaro is obviously really fast. I don\u2019t really have a lot to do with qualifying here, so just fortunate to qualify some really fast race cars.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really cool to see Hendrick Motorsports 1-2-3.\u201d <\/p>\n

Larson\u2019s consolation for missing out on his second straight DAYTONA 500 pole was the guaranteed second-place starting position. Bowman and Larson will start first Thursday night in their respective Bluegreen Vacations Duels, twin 150-mile qualifying races that will set the starting order for Sunday\u2019s main event.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Pole Award winner, Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, (L) and Front Row winner, Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, pose for photos after the the Busch Light Pole at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cCongratulations to Alex,\u201d Larson said. \u201cHe\u2019s got a lot longer legs than me, so I think he can push the gas pedal down further. But I\u2019m proud of everybody on the 5 team as well\u2026 I\u2019m really looking forward to the Duels, get some more laps, get comfortable and then get to race it on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ford drivers Aric Almirola, Joey Logano (reigning Cup champion), Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric (defending race winner), and Harrison Burton were fourth through ninth fastest, respectively.<\/p>\n

Kyle Busch\u2019s final-round qualifying time was disallowed after he dipped below the yellow line between the racing surface and the apron in an attempt to draft off Cindric\u2019s car, which had just completed its lap.<\/p>\n

Bubba Wallace narrowly missed the final round and was the quickest Toyota driver in the 11th position.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Pole Award winner, Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, (L) and Front Row winner, Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, pose for photos after the the Busch Light Pole at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2023 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Johnson, a former Hendrick driver, was relieved to put his No. 84 Chevrolet into the show.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was stressful,\u201d Johnson said. “It was hard to tell inside the car if it was a good lap or not. The RPM range was much different from the last time I was in a car. It just sounded flat and felt slow.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019re sitting in a great spot as the fastest unchartered car, and I\u2019m very thankful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Travis Pastrana also locked into the field for Sunday\u2019s race with a lap at 179.254 mph\u2014second among the open cars and 25th fastest overall\u2014leaving Zane Smith (29th fastest), Austin Hill (32nd), Chandler Smith (41st) and Conor Daly to vie for the final two positions via Duels.<\/p>\n

Daly had to forego his qualifying run because of a mechanical failure he described as \u201cone in a million.\u201d The oil heater in Daly\u2019s No. 50 Chevrolet shorted out and burned an oil line. His TMT Racing team didn\u2019t have a replacement oil heater, and the part proved scarce throughout the garage.<\/p>\n

Pastrana was elated to secure a starting spot for his No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just can\u2019t say enough about this 23XI team,\u201d Pastrana said. \u201cI mean everyone from (team consultant) Kurt Busch to (owner) Denny Hamlin to (teammates) Bubba (Wallace) and Tyler (Reddick), they all just helped me get there.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this TRD motor and being able to get on the (simulator), that was everything. Can\u2019t give them enough credit for this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – DAYTONA 500<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daytona International Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daytona Beach, Florida<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, February 15, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

                1. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 181.686 mph.<\/p>\n

                2. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 181.057 mph.<\/p>\n

                3. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, 180.727 mph.<\/p>\n

                4. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 180.723 mph.<\/p>\n

                5. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 180.712 mph.<\/p>\n

                6. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 180.661 mph.<\/p>\n

                7. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 180.054 mph.<\/p>\n

                8. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford, 180.014 mph.<\/p>\n

                9. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford, 179.748 mph.<\/p>\n

                10. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.<\/p>\n

                11. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 180.011 mph.<\/p>\n

                12. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 179.921 mph.<\/p>\n

                13. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, 179.888 mph.<\/p>\n

                14. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 179.881 mph.<\/p>\n

                15. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 179.863 mph.<\/p>\n

                16. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford, 179.849 mph.<\/p>\n

                17. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 179.684 mph.<\/p>\n

                18. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 179.673 mph.<\/p>\n

                19. (54) Ty Gibbs #, Toyota, 179.616 mph.<\/p>\n

                20. (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 179.612 mph.<\/p>\n

                21. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 179.497 mph.<\/p>\n

                22. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 179.347 mph.<\/p>\n

                23. (84) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 179.276 mph.<\/p>\n

                24. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, 179.265 mph.<\/p>\n

                25. (67) Travis Pastrana, Toyota, 179.254 mph.<\/p>\n

                26. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 179.154 mph.<\/p>\n

                27. (43) Erik Jones, Chevrolet, 178.998 mph.<\/p>\n

                28. (42) Noah Gragson #, Chevrolet, 178.941 mph.<\/p>\n

                29. (36) Zane Smith(i), Ford, 178.862 mph.<\/p>\n

                30. (16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 178.813 mph.<\/p>\n

                31. (31) Justin Haley, Chevrolet, 178.763 mph.<\/p>\n

                32. (62) Austin Hill(i), Chevrolet, 178.660 mph.<\/p>\n

                33. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 178.525 mph.<\/p>\n

                34. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 178.204 mph.<\/p>\n

                35. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 177.925 mph.<\/p>\n

                36. (78) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 177.834 mph.<\/p>\n

                37. (51) Cody Ware, Ford, 177.169 mph.<\/p>\n

                38. (15) Riley Herbst(i), Ford, 176.849 mph.<\/p>\n

                39. (77) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 176.315 mph.<\/p>\n

                40. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 176.287 mph.<\/p>\n

                41. (13) Chandler Smith(i), Chevrolet, 175.022 mph.<\/p>\n

                42. (50) Conor Daly(i), Chevrolet, 0.000 mph.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 Wednesday was a banner day for Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman. After announcing a contract extension that will keep him in the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet through 2026, Bowman sped to his third DAYTONA 500 pole position, dominating both rounds of times trials at 2.5-mile […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":41410,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[491,42,287,16],"class_list":["post-41407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-alex-bowman","tag-daytona-500","tag-daytona-international-speedway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/GettyImages-1466543900-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-aLR","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41407"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41407\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41414,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41407\/revisions\/41414"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41410"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}