Kyle Busch, who has 183 career wins across NASCAR's top-three national series, is still trying for his first Daytona 500 victory. USA TODAY Sports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. won’t be in this year’s Daytona 500, but the car he made famous will start the race from position one.
Alex Bowman, the 24-year-old Arizona driver who earned Junior’s vote as his replacement in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet, won the pole for NASCAR’s biggest race Sunday with a speed of 195.644 miles per hour.
Bowman, part of the youth movement that has gained a lot of attention in the preseason, served as a substitute driver for Earnhardt in 2016 as the veteran driver was battling concussion issues.
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“It was just a little nerve-wracking,” Bowman said. “We knew we were going for the pole. That’s what we’re here for.
“It’s still a little surreal. It’s a dream come true to drive for Hendrick Motorsports.”
Toyota driver Denny Hamlin had the day’s second-fastest speed — 195.092 — and will start second in the 500. The first and second positions are the only ones locked in. The remainder of the 40-car 500 field will be set the Can-Am Duels — a pair of 150-mile races — on Thursday.
Following in the top five were Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and rookie William Byron.
Bowman's teammate Chase Elliott had won the past two Daytona 500 poles. Hendrick Motorsports has now earned the top qualifying spot for the seventh time in the last 11 years.
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