Brian Scott captures Daytona 500 starting position after a fifth-place finish in the Daytona Duel

Brian Scott had one goal in mind when starting the second Duel race at Daytona International Speedway, earn a spot in one of NASCAR's most prestigious events -- the Daytona 500.

Brian Scott, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

Scott rolled off sixth in his No. 33 Whitetail Chevrolet to begin the 60-lap segment. The 26-year-old native of Idaho chose the top line around the track and it paid off.

It was the fastest line and the team immediately shot to the fourth position joining a single-file freight train. Crew chief Nick Harrison brought Scott to pit road for a gas-and-go stop on lap 36 and the Whitetail crew quickly returned Scott to the track with 24 laps to go. As the field cycled through pit stops, the No. 33 driver was in sixth place.

Scott, racing and learning from veteran Sprint Cup drivers, demonstrated complete control. His skills enabled him to take the checkered flag in the fifth position. In only his second Sprint Cup start, Scott will line up 12th for the 56th running of the Daytona 500.

Brian Scott (Start - Sixth / Finish - Fifth / Laps Led - 0 / Pts - N/A): "The first part of the race we were just riding fourth and I thought it would be great if the whole race will go this way. I knew that pit stops would shake it up. We kind of committed to the bottom and we got the outside groove to go around us and we fell to the back. I knew it would get exciting there at the end. I'm just proud that we were able to get the Whitetail Chevrolet back towards the front and finish fifth and get us a good starting spot in the Daytona 500."

Circle Sport Racing