Joey Logano Dominates Duel 1, Casey Mears Secures Daytona 500 Berth in Dramatic Overtime Finish

Daytona Beach, FL – The first of two Duel races at Daytona International Speedway delivered its signature blend of high-octane racing and nail-biting drama, with Joey Logano of Team Penske clinching victory in Duel #1. However, the storyline that captivated the roaring crowd and reverberated through the infield was the audacious, full-throttle charge of veteran Casey Mears, who navigated a chaotic final lap to secure his spot in the prestigious Daytona 500.

The 60-lap qualifying race, a crucial stepping stone for drivers vying for a coveted starting position in NASCAR’s biggest event, saw Team Penske assert its dominance early. Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion, led a commanding 1-2 finish for the team, with teammate Ryan Blaney trailing closely behind. This strong performance not only adds to Logano’s impressive resume but also solidifies Team Penske’s early season form.

The real drama, however, unfolded in the battle for the remaining guaranteed starting spots in the Daytona 500. Several incidents throughout the race reshuffled the field and put pressure on drivers needing a strong finish. Casey Mears, piloting the No. 99 Garage 66 Ford, had faced adversity earlier in the race when he spun in an incident that also involved Noah Gragson. Despite this setback, Mears remained determined.

The race was punctuated by several caution periods, the most significant of which occurred with just 15 laps remaining. A spin by Mears on pit road, collecting Gragson, brought out the yellow flag and set the stage for a frantic final sprint. The timing of this caution proved beneficial for several Ford teams, including Mears’, allowing them to cycle back towards the front.

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The restart with 11 laps remaining saw a fierce scramble for position. John Hunter Nemechek briefly challenged Corey LaJoie for a transfer spot, pushing LaJoie out of line and shuffling him back into the pack. Meanwhile, the Team Penske duo of Logano and Blaney asserted control at the front, while pole-sitter Kyle Busch opted to drop back, anticipating the inevitable chaos.

A dramatic moment unfolded when Brad Keselowski made an aggressive move to the inside of Nemechek, resulting in contact that sent Nemechek spinning and collecting several other cars, including Shane van Gisbergen. This incident further tightened the field and amplified the pressure on those on the bubble.

The race was ultimately pushed into overtime by a multi-car pile-up involving Bubba Wallace, William Byron, Chris Buescher, and Chandler Smith. Wallace’s car spun across the track, but its safety features prevented a major incident. The ensuing caution set up a two-lap dash to the checkered flag.

It was on this final lap that Casey Mears etched his name into Daytona lore. As a multi-car incident erupted ahead of him, including a tangle involving Corey LaJoie and Daniel Suarez, Mears made a split-second decision. Instead of lifting off the throttle, he drove straight through the carnage, his car making contact with Suarez’s No. 99 machine and the wall. Suffering visible nose damage, Mears maintained momentum, refusing to slow down. He crossed the finish line in seventh place, a finish that, while unofficial pending NASCAR review, was enough to secure his and the Garage 66 team’s place in the 68th running of the Daytona 500.

"Probably a little bit about the power of prayer, there was a lot of that going on inside the car," Mears said with a laugh after exiting his battered Ford. "Just couldn’t thank everybody enough for getting us here to begin with. Had an issue on pit road, but I got a run around the outside. Decided to stay in the gas, no matter what happened. When I saw them spinning and I missed the first guy (LaJoie), I thought, okay, good, and then I hit the #7 (Suarez). Anyway, I hit somebody square. And I knew when I hit him flat it didn’t tear up the car too much and I was going to be able to get back. But I didn’t know who was in front of me still, whether or not we made it. All the guys started going nuts on the radio."

This remarkable drive marks Mears’ 14th start in the Daytona 500 and his first since the 2019 season. At 47 years old, his tenacity and skill were on full display, earning him his 495th career start in the NASCAR Cup Series.

In stark contrast to Mears’ elation, Corey LaJoie expressed profound disappointment after the race. Having run a strong race and holding a qualifying spot for much of the latter stages, LaJoie was caught up in the lap 59 melee. "It looked good for 145.5 miles. I thought we controlled the race as good as you can control it," LaJoie lamented. "The bottom lane got soft there, and the push came right as I picked the #6 [Keselowski] up, and it just turned me to the right. That sucks, man. These guys worked incredibly hard on this car. I’m honestly happy for Casey Mears and (team owner) Carl Long — it’s cool those guys got in, but I’m devastated. This is what you work for and I don’t have another one after this." LaJoie’s comments underscore the razor-thin margins and unpredictable nature of qualifying for the Daytona 500.

The unofficial finishing order for Duel #1 was: Logano, Blaney, Austin Dillon, John-Hunter Nemechek, Brad Keselowski, Shane van Gisbergen, Mears, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, and Alex Bowman. While Logano and Blaney secured front-row starting positions, the remaining drivers in the top 10 also earned their spots in the 500 based on their performance.

The Duels are not merely qualifying races; they are a critical part of the NASCAR Cup Series season, offering drivers an opportunity to fine-tune their superspeedway setups, gather crucial data, and build momentum heading into the main event. The strategic pit calls, drafting techniques, and race management displayed by the teams are all under intense scrutiny, as drivers aim to gain an advantage in the highly competitive environment of Daytona.

The success of Team Penske in Duel #1, with Logano and Blaney leading the charge, suggests a strong start to their 2024 campaign. Logano, a two-time Cup Series champion, has a history of success at Daytona, including a memorable Daytona 500 victory in 2015. Blaney, the 2023 champion, is also a proven contender on superspeedways.

Meanwhile, Casey Mears’ improbable qualification highlights the resilience and determination of teams operating with fewer resources, often referred to as "underdogs." The Garage 66 team, a relatively new entrant, has showcased significant progress, and Mears’ drive exemplifies the "never give up" spirit that defines motorsports.

The stage is now set for Duel #2, which will determine the starting grid for the remaining drivers not already locked into the Daytona 500. With the intensity and drama witnessed in Duel #1, fans can anticipate another thrilling exhibition of speed, strategy, and sheer will as the road to the Great American Race continues. The Daytona 500, scheduled for Sunday, promises to be an epic season opener, with the performances in these Duels providing valuable insight into the contenders and their potential to hoist the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy.