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Chase Elliott wins first Daytona Duel race

Chase Elliott won his first race in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition in dramatic fashion.

Duel 1 winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Duel 1 winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet takes the checkered flag
Duel 1 winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Duel 1 winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet takes the checkered flag
Winner Duel 1, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Reed Sorenson, Premium Motorsports Toyota, crash
Reed Sorenson, Premium Motorsports Toyota, crash

Chase Elliott won his first race in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series competition in dramatic fashion.

Elliott, who had already secured the pole for Sunday’s Daytona 500, took the lead late in Thursday night’s first 150-mile qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway and held off a furious charge from Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick to claim the victory.

Brad Keselowski finished fourth and Matt Kenseth fifth.

Elliott takes the win and bonus points

In years past, with Elliott already on the pole, his victory wouldn’t have offered him much more than a trip to Victory Lane, but this season he also collects 10 points for the finish which will go toward his total from the Daytona 500 weekend.

“I didn’t think anybody was going to help us there at the first part of the race and I had a couple good pushes to get us out front and our spotter did a great job on the roof making sure he was calling the lanes correctly and we were able to get back in front,” Elliott said.

“I just want to thank our partners and the Hendrick engine shop. They had some steam tonight. It was apparent.”

Elliott said he was glad his No. 24 Chevrolet came home with no problems.

“I’m just more excited about how this thing ran tonight and keeping it in one piece,” he said. “I know it’s just a Duel win and it doesn’t count towards a win in the playoffs, but it still means a lot to me and it means a lot to our team.

“This is a great way to start the season.”

Elliott made some daring moves in the race to work his way to the front, including one to get around then-leader Keselowski to take the lead on Lap 37.

McMurray praises Chase

McMurray took notice.

“I thought Chase did an awesome job. It doesn't matter who it is, at some point we all make a bad decision out there. I made a couple tonight,” he said. “I was fortunate it didn't cause a wreck. But that's what happens at places like this.”

Keslowski dominated the race (leading a race-high 28 laps), and gave up the lead for the first time to Kyle Busch only right before the competition caution displayed on Lap 26.

During pit stops, Busch was the first off pit road, followed by Keselowski, McMurray, Elliott and Kenseth and was the leader on the restart on Lap 30.

Keselowski quickly moved back into the lead on the restart to retake command of the race.

With just over 20 laps remaining, Elliott powered around Keselowski to take the lead for the first time.

“We knew (Elliott) was going to be strong,” Keselowski said. “It just didn’t shake out like I hoped it would in some of those pivotal moments, that’s part of it. I could have taken a few more risks.

“We’re going to work on some things that make that possible.”

Trouble for the transfer spot

On Lap 49, Corey LaJoie got into the back of Reed Sorensen, sending Sorensen off the track and into the Turn 1 infield wall. Paul Menard also suffered damage in that incident.

“I’m sure it looked like I meant to do it, but I didn’t,” LaJoie said over his team radio. “I just tried to stick the middle and he came down on me.”

LaJoie’s 18th-place finish still ensured him a spot in Sunday’s 40-car 500 field.

“Every kid in a race car dreams of racing in a Daytona 500 and I get to do that on Sunday,” he said. “I really do feel bad about Reed. Man, when I’m trying to get into the Daytona 500, if my mom was in that spot, I’d probably wreck her, too.

“I’m racing on Sunday.”

Sorensen, as expected, had another take on the incident.

“I guess he did what he needed to do to make the race,” Sorensen said. “I hope he’s proud of that part of it.”

Cla#DriverManufacturerLapsTime
1 24 united_states Chase Elliott  Chevrolet 60  
2 1 united_states Jamie McMurray  Chevrolet 60 0.156
3 4 united_states Kevin Harvick  Ford 60 0.168
4 2 united_states Brad Keselowski  Ford 60 0.255
5 20 united_states Matt Kenseth  Toyota 60 0.278
6 6 united_states Trevor Bayne  Ford 60 0.347
7 78 united_states Martin Truex Jr.  Toyota 60 0.408
8 43 united_states Aric Almirola  Ford 60 0.459
9 22 united_states Joey Logano  Ford 60 0.466
10 72 united_states Cole Whitt  Ford 60 0.485

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