Date: Feb. 17, 2022
Event: Bluegreen Vacations Duel
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Location: Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway (2.5-mile oval)
Format: Twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500
Duel No. 1 Winner: Brad Keselowski of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (Ford)
Duel No. 2 Winner: Chris Buescher of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (Ford)
SHR Finish:
● Aric Almirola (Started 2nd, Finished 19th/ Running, completed 58 of 60 laps in Duel No. 2)
Notes:
● Drivers earning odd-numbered positions from Wednesday’s pole qualifying session were assigned to the first Duel race. Drivers earning even-numbered positions from pole qualifying competed in the second Duel race. The starting positions for each Duel race were based on qualifying times.
● Almirola will start 38th in the Daytona 500. His best Daytona 500 finish is fourth, earned in 2017.
Sound Bites:
“When the 22 car (Joey Logano) started to push us at the front, our Smithfield Ford Mustang wanted to dart to the right and just didn’t feel right. We tried to drop to the rear and lost the draft. We had some speed, but it just didn’t drive smooth enough to take that chance at the front of the field in a qualifying race. Better to learn now than on Sunday. We’ve got plenty of practice left this week to dial it in and I’m confident we will.” – Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang.
Next Up:
The 64th running of the Daytona 500 takes place at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday with live coverage provided by FOX and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.