Denny Hamlin Sets the Pace in Daytona 500 Practice
In the lead-up to the Daytona 500 qualifying, Denny Hamlin made a strong statement by claiming the top spot in the lone practice session on Wednesday morning. Zooming through 19 laps, Hamlin clocked in at an impressive 187.480 mph in just 48.005 seconds, setting the pace for the rest of the field.
Behind Hamlin, Bubba Wallace secured the second-fastest spot at 186.916 mph, followed by Ty Gibbs, Chandler Smith, and John Hunter Nemechek rounding out the top five. Notably, Smith is among the nine drivers vying for a coveted spot in the Daytona 500 lineup, adding an extra layer of intensity to the practice session.
As the drivers took to the track, Gibbs emerged as the one to watch, completing 24 laps—the most of any driver in the session. On the flip side, there were 23 drivers who made less than 10 laps before calling it a day, highlighting the varied strategies and approaches employed during practice.
Amidst the flurry of activity, Helio Castroneves made his presence known by clinching the 12th spot in his debut with Trackhouse Racing, while Shane van Gisbergen kicked off his rookie season with a solid 17th-place finish. Meanwhile, the defending Daytona 500 champion, William Byron, landed in the 22nd spot, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying round.
Despite the focus on single-car runs during practice, Hamlin threw a curveball by surging to the top of the leaderboard in a small draft towards the end of the session. This unexpected move injected a dash of excitement into an otherwise routine practice, showcasing the drivers’ adaptability and skill on the track.
For some teams, the practice session served as a crucial opportunity to iron out any lingering issues before the high-stakes qualifying and duel races. Brad Keselowski, for instance, grappled with a steering problem that caused smoke to billow from his RFK Racing Ford Mustang—a reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsports.
While 43 out of the 45 entered drivers took to the track, a couple of notable exceptions opted out of the practice session. Spire Motorsports teammates Michael McDowell and Justin Haley chose to sit this one out, perhaps fine-tuning their strategies behind the scenes for the upcoming challenges.
Looking ahead, all eyes are now on the Daytona 500 qualifying event scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET, where the drivers will have another chance to showcase their speed and skill on the iconic track. As the anticipation builds and the stakes climb higher, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown that will test the drivers’ mettle and determination to emerge victorious.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Daytona 500 action unfolds, promising thrills, spills, and plenty of heart-stopping moments on the legendary racetrack.
