2024 NASCAR Daytona Duels Preview
Photos: Terry Renna/AP Photo | Gavin Baker/Motorsport Images
After Wednesday night’s qualifying session for the Daytona 500, only Joey Logano and Michael McDowell’s spots are locked in based on speed. The rest of the 38 spots will be determined by the Bluegreen Vacation Duels at Daytona, coverage starting at 7PM EST on FS1.
While 36 of the entries are locked in via the charter system, there’s five open cars still fighting for four open spots, including Jimmie Johnson in his #84 Legacy Motor Club Camry XSE.
Best Bets for Duel #1
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Best Bets for Duel #1 |
Joey Logano +600
The pole sitter for the 2024 DAYTONA 500 has made his intentions clear for tonight’s opening Duel, telling the media that he won’t hang in the back. “If something happens, something happens,” says Joey Logano. He’s won the Duel race three times, most recently last year in a photo finish with Christopher Bell. However, tonight’s Duel will be tough with both of his Penske teammates in Duel 2 and just three Ford manufacture teammates in his Duel.
Chase Elliott +650
One driver who will have help from his Hendrick Motorsports teammates is the Most Popular driver in the Cup Series. Chase Elliott missed six races early last season due to a skiing accident, and would go on to have a winless season for the first time since 2017. The two time Duel winner will have a hunger to return to victory lane, expect Chase to navigate his way into a win, with some help from the other 11 Chevrolets.
Ross Chastain +1100
There’s a different feeling about Trackhouse Racing, starting at the top with Ross Chastain. Last night in qualifying, Chastain made it to the final round and put up the 9th fastest time. Surrounded by 11 other Chevrolet drivers, including teammate Daniel Suarez, there should be enough horsepower to land Chastain in victory lane.
Austin Dillon +1300
The 2018 DAYTONA 500 winner will start 4th in the first Duel race of the night, giving Austin Dillon a familar look at the front of his windsheild. Winning a Duel race in 2021, he knows what it takes to get into victory lane at this Daytona. He’ll have plenty of Chevorlet horsepower to rely on in order to stay in the hunt for the win.
Best Bets for Duel #2
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Best Bets for Duel #2 |
Kyle Busch +600
Last year was the closest Kyle Busch was to winning the DAYTONA 500, but the stars could be aligning for him. He finished inside the Top 10 in four of the six Superspeedway style races last year. Busch has won the Duel race twice in his career, his last win coming in 2016. In his 2nd season with Richard Childress Racing, He’ll look to secure a better starting spot than last year’s DAYTONA 500, after starting 36th, with a win tonight.
Brad Keselowski +650
Another driver looking to secure his first DAYTONA 500 win is Brad Keselowski. He’s been knocking on the door for a win since jumping to RFK Racing, with Daytona being the track he ran the best at last season. He’ll be looking to grab his second Duel victory in three years and secure a better starting position for his 15th attempt at trying to win the Great American Race.
Bubba Wallace +1000
It’s been a long road to get to where he’s at, but Bubba Wallace has quickly become a contender each time they travel to DAYTONA. Since joining 23XI Racing in 2021, his best finish in the Duel and DAYTONA 500 have been 2nd. He’ll be racing alongside co-owner and Toyota teammate Denny Hamlin, as he continues his quest for the DAYTONA 500.
Chase Briscoe +1600
A new chapter has begun for Stewart Haas Racing. Since the retirement of Kevin Harvick, the longest tenured driver in the Cup stable is Chase Briscoe, after joining in 2021. With many looking at him as the face of the team and a lack of pace in 2023, Briscoe will be looking to cement himself as a contender for the 2024 season, as he looks to grab Stewart Haas Racing their fifth Duel win in team history.