Race Weekend Central

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Wins Can-Am Duel No. 1 in Daytona

“Amelia” flew to another victory at Daytona International Speedway as Dale Earnhardt, Jr. held off Joey Logano to bring his No. 88 to victory lane in Thursday’s Can-Am Duel No. 1.

“We knew it was a really good car,” Earnhardt said. “This car, actually a lot of people don’t talk about it, but it won the 150 last year, too. So it has three wins, a second and a third [place finishes] last year.”

On the 15th anniversary of his father’s passing in 2001, Earnhardt realizes the win is another brick on the wall of the Earnhardt legacy.

“Another win at Daytona for the Earnhardts,” he said. “Keep adding to the legacy. We’re up there in the 50’s now with all the wins we got here.”

Michael McDowell raced his Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing No.59 Chevrolet into Sunday following a 14th-place result.

“When Blaney had a problem there, we were counting on him to race his way in,” McDowell said. “At the end we just dug hard and the [No.] 21 got going, came to the white flag and I was like ‘Ah, I’m right in the middle of it!'”

Ryan Blaney overcame an early vibration issue – pitting early on lap 30 – to drive up to third at the finish. He brings the Wood Brothers No. 21 to Sunday’s Daytona 500.

“I had Chase [Elliott] behind me, stuck with me, too,” Blaney said. “Good recovery. We had a couple issues early in the race, went a lap down. Luckily got a caution and got back on the lead lap.”

The caution occurred shortly after green-flag pit stops on lap 44, swallowing up Cole Whitt’s No. 98 Premium Motorsports ride, sending him to the garage and officially out of the Daytona 500.

“If we passed the [No.] 59, we’re probably going to make the Daytona 500. If we didn’t then we go home,” Whitt told Frontstretch after retiring from the race. “I just did everything I could to try and get by [McDowell] and he was throwing some blocks and I had a run and just didn’t want to lose it. I tried to take it like I could. I don’t think the [No.] 7 spun us out for anything like that.”

Kevin Harvick came home fourth after starting from the rear of the field. Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Kasey Kahne, Greg Biffle, Chris Buescher and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. rounded out the top 10.

Brian Scott crashed off turn 4 coming to the checkered flag, leading his No. 44 Ford hard into the inside wall. He was checked and released from infield care center.

2016 Can-Am Duel 1 At Daytona Results

FinishStartCar NumberDriverTeam Laps CompletedStatusLaps Led
1288Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Nationwide Chevrolet60Running43
2722Joey LoganoShell Pennzoil Ford60Running0
3421Ryan BlaneyMotorcraft Ford60Running0
4224Kevin HarvickJimmy John's Chevrolet60Running0
5611Denny HamlinFedEx Toyota60Running13
6124Chase ElliottNAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet60Running2
785Kasey KahneFarmers Insurance Chevrolet60Running2
81116Greg BiffleKFC Ford60Running0
91534Chris Buescher (R)Love's Travel Stops Ford60Running0
10317Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.Fastenal Ford60Running0
1153Austin DillonDow Chevrolet60Running0
12176Trevor BayneAdvocare Ford60Running0
13102Brad KeselowskiMiller Lite Ford60Running0
141359Michael McDowellThrivent Financial Chevrolet60Running0
15147Regan SmithGolden Corral/Nikko Chevrolet60Running0
162023David RaganDr. Pepper Toyota60Running0
172130Josh WiseCurtis Key Plumbing Chevrolet60Running0
181815Clint Bowyer5-Hour Energy Chevrolet60Running0
191632Bobby LabonteCan-Am Ford60Running0
201244Brian ScottAlbertson's Ford59Accident0
21927Paul MenardPeak/Menards Chevrolet58Accident0
221998Cole WhittRTIC Toyota47Accident0

About the author

Growing up in Easton, Pa., Zach Catanzareti has grown his auto racing interest from fandom to professional. Joining Frontstretch in 2015, Zach enjoys nothing more than being at the track, having covered his first half-season of 18 races in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. With experience behind the wheel, behind the camera and in the media center, he thrives on being an all-around reporter.

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DoninAjax

Who’s surprised? Any bets on the 500?

janice

i have a feeling there will be a problem on pit road that will put him back in the pack and then a mess will happen. just don’t think he’ll win, too much pre-race hype about him being the one to beat.

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