(Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — It took a last-second effort and late heroics, but Jimmie Johnson and Kaz Grala survived their respective Bluegreen Vacations Duels to lock themselves into Sunday’s Daytona 500.
The results sent JJ Yeley and BJ McLeod home.
Starting the first duel 18th, Johnson worked with the other Toyotas to get toward the front. On Lap 40, all Toyotas beside Martin Truex Jr. pitted for a splash of fuel to make it to the end. They all cycled toward the back, putting the seven-time Cup Series champion in a vulnerable position.
With 10 to go, Ricky Strenhouse Jr. got into Daniel Hemric, sparking a four-car wreck that included Johnson. He limped his No. 84 Legacy Motor Club machine back to the pits for minor service, where he managed to remain on the lead lap.
Restarting with six to go, Johnson had his work cut out for him. He drove from the rear up to 12th, but taking the white flag, Yeley still led. Coming through Turns 3 and 4, the high line checked up toward the front and Johnson pushed through the madness while Yeley got pushed out of the draft.
It was the first time Johnson ever had to race his way into the Daytona 500.
“It was intense. With probably three to go, he threw a great block on me on the front stretch and it kind of perked me up and I realized just what kind of battle I was in for in the closing laps,” Johnson said postrace. “Hats off to [Yeley and NY Racing] for the hard effort they put into this. This is not easy, and it stinks that a car has got to go home. They put up a heck of a fight and we’re fortunate to get in.
“The way things worked out, I found myself at the tail end of the two lines [at the end]. I just didn’t have anyone to push me and get going. And I just saw some things developing and there was some contact and JJ (Yeley) moved to the outside to avoid a crash. I don’t know how they didn’t crash, and I chose the lane where the crash was taking place. I just had to pick the opposite lane and Days of Thunder action. That lane recovered and recovered quicker to the start/finish and I got there to the checkered flag.
“No, I haven’t, and I have such a deeper appreciation and respect for everyone before me that’s had to race in like this.”
(Photo: Cornnell Chu | The Podium Finish)
Grala, who started his duel dead last after blowing a motor during qualifying, arguably dug even harder to transfer into the Great American Race. The Front Row Motorsports driver spent the early portion of the race hanging out back and understanding a feel for his race car. The 25-year-old from Boston elected to pit with other Fords on Lap 44, just moments before the chaos.
An untimely block through the tri-oval on Lap 48 sparked a crash and a red flag, as the incidents claimed contenders Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch, but also McLeod. After the weck, McLeod got his No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet to pit road where he got service to remain on the lead lap.
Restarting with eight to go, Grala looked destined to transfer. But he lost the draft and fell toward the back, creating a heated battle with McLeod. Coming to the checkered, Grala held the bottom line while McLeod rode the top, inching out the 40-year-old at the line.
It’s the third time that Grala has made the Daytona 500 in an open car. He made it in 2021 with Kaulig Racing and in 2022 with TMT Racing.
“Our first lap on track was today, really. This week is just so crazy. It’s always so stressful coming here as an Open car and I’ve had terrible luck on Wednesdays,” Grala said. “I haven’t been able to have a single relaxed Thursday yet, and today was certainly no exception. That was a pretty intense battle there coming down to the last couple of laps. It was way closer than I wanted it to be, but it was great racing with BJ and David Ragan. Everybody racing clean and pushing hard, so that was cool. I’m happy to get this No. 36 Ruedebusch Ford into the Daytona 500 because Front Row Motorsports worked so hard yesterday to get this car ready and in shape for today and they did a great job.
“[All three Daytona 500 attempts have] been equally tied for the most stressful moments of my life. I have not had one smooth Duel yet all three times and yet I snuck in in all of them. That definitely took a couple of years off my life right there, but to make the Daytona 500 it’s always worth it.”
Johnson will start 23rd while Grala will start 26th in Sunday’s Daytona 500. The race is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
