DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Denny Hamlin was still grinning Monday morning at Daytona International Speedway, 12 hours after hoisting his second Daytona 500 trophy in victory lane. He met with the media, signed special pieces of speedway memorabilia and received the traditional Daytona 500 winner’s leather jacket during the annual champion’s breakfast.
While Hendrick Motorsports split up one of, if not the most dominant crew chief/driver combinations in history with Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson, Richard Childress Racing was doing the exact opposite.
Gander RV Duel Winners, Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano at Daytona International Speedway Photos – Getty Images
The Thursday night duel races sponsored by Gander RV set the qualifying order for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ 61st annual Daytona 500. It was a great night for racing as both duel races set the tone for Sunday’s big event at Daytona International Speedway. The first duel set the starting lineup for the inside lane, as the second duel set the qualifying order for the outside lane.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 14: Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Car2Can Ford, leads during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Gander RV Duel At DAYTONA #1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images
Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway covers ten days and encompasses many different events leading up to the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. On the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series side of racing, the first focus is a week before the main event with Pole Qualifying followed by the Advanced Auto Parts Clash featuring select drivers. Then in the week leading up to the biggest event in racing, the Gander RV Duel set the starting lineup for the prestigious race this Sunday.