2016 Can-Am Duels

The 2016 Can-Am Duels were a pair of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car races held on February 18, 2016, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Both contested over 60 laps, they were the qualifying races for the 2016 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the first Duel race and Kyle Busch won the second Duel race.

2016 Can-Am Duels
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
DateFebruary 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)
LocationDaytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach, Florida
CoursePermanent racing facility
2.5 mi (4 km)
DistanceRace 1:
60 laps, 150 mi (240 km)
Race 2:
60 laps, 150 mi (240 km)
Avg SpeedRace 1 172.911 mph (278.273 km/h)
Race 2 191.898 mph (308.830 km/h)
WeatherClear night skies with a temperature of 59 °F (15 °C); wind out of the north/northeast at 14 mph (23 km/h)
Race 1
Pole positionChase Elliott (R)
Most laps ledDale Earnhardt, Jr. (43)
WinnerDale Earnhardt, Jr.
Race 2
Pole positionMatt Kenseth
Most laps ledKyle Busch (35)
WinnerKyle Busch
Television
NetworkFox Sports 1 & MRN
AnnouncersMike Joy, Jeff Gordon and Darrell Waltrip (Television)
Joe Moore, Jeff Striegle and Rusty Wallace (Booth)
Dave Moody (1 & 2), Mike Bagley (Backstretch) and Kyle Rickey (3 & 4) (Turns) (Radio)

Report

Background

Daytona International Speedway, where the races were held.

Daytona International Speedway is one of six superspeedways to hold NASCAR races, the others being Michigan International Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway.[11] The standard track at Daytona International Speedway is a four-turn superspeedway that is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long.[12] The track's turns are banked at 31 degrees, while the front stretch, the location of the finish line, is banked at 18 degrees.[12]

Practice

First practice (February 13)

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 46.364 and a speed of 194.116 mph (312.399 km/h).[13]

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 88Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet46.364194.116
2 22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord46.427193.853
3 20Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota46.444193.782
Official first practice results

Second practice (February 13)

Joey Logano was the fastest in the second practice session with a time of 45.934 and a speed of 195.933 mph (315.324 km/h).[14]

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord45.934195.933
2 2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord45.954195.848
3 21Ryan Blaney (R)Wood Brothers RacingFord45.966195.797
Official second practice results

Pole qualifying

Chase Elliott, seen here at Road America, scored the pole for the Daytona 500.

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is different from any other race weekend because the starting lineup for the race – except for the two drivers that post the two fastest timed laps in the final round of qualifying – isn't set on qualifying day. It sets the lineup for the two duel races the following Thursday.

Unlike qualifying at non-restrictor plate races, qualifying at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway consists of two rounds of cars being sent out one at a time to make a single timed lap. The fastest 12 advance to the final round to run for the pole position.

Chase Elliott scored the pole for the race with a time of 45.845 and a speed of 196.314 mph (315.937 km/h).[15] He said that today was "a very, very cool day. I don’t know that this opportunity has sunk in yet, much less sitting on the pole for the Daytona 500. I think the big thing is just the team and the Daytona 500 qualifying is about the team guys and the effort they put into these cars and it’s nothing special I did, it’s really what kind of work they did this off-season to make it happen."[16]

After qualifying seventh and being all but guaranteed into the Daytona 500 based on speed, Ryan Blaney said that he "wasn't really too nervous going into today. I knew we had a really fast race car. We just had to do our job and we did it and we just had to lock ourselves in. I really wasn't feeling any different than I do any other day."[17]

Likewise, Matt DiBenedetto – who is also all but guaranteed in on his speed after qualifying 24th – said that he could "sleep well, finally. I was really nervous all night. This is just a testament to the hard work from the guys on my team. Two-hundredths of a second. I'm really thankful, thankful to be racing in my first Daytona 500, most importantly. I'm really thankful and blessed to be here.”[18]

Martin Truex, Jr was unable to post a time over a roof flap issue.[19] The Stewart Haas Racing cars of Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers had their times disqualified after their track bars failed inspection.

Qualifying results

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer R1 R2 Grid
1 24Chase Elliott (R)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet46.03145.8451 (1)
2 20Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota45.99445.9101 (2)
3 88Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet45.96845.9932 (1)
4 18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota46.12746.1052 (2)
5 17Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.Roush Fenway RacingFord46.19146.1263 (1)
6 48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet46.21546.1923 (2)
7 21Ryan Blaney (R)Wood Brothers RacingFord46.25746.2144 (1)
8 3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet46.20146.2314 (2)
9 19Carl EdwardsJoe Gibbs RacingToyota46.26946.2345 (1)
10 11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota46.26646.2675 (2)
11 41Kurt BuschStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet46.33046.2706 (1)
12 22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord46.33146.2826 (2)
13 13Casey MearsGermain RacingChevrolet46.3327 (1)
14 5Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet46.3677 (2)
15 31Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet46.3688 (1)
16 27Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet46.4078 (2)
17 95Ty DillonCircle Sport – Leavine Family RacingChevrolet46.4079 (1)
18 2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord46.4219 (2)
19 43Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord46.45110 (1)
20 16Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord46.47210 (2)
21 1Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet46.53611 (1)
22 44Brian Scott (R)Richard Petty MotorsportsFord46.55211 (2)
23 42Kyle LarsonChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet46.64712 (1)
24 93Matt DiBenedettoBK RacingToyota46.70812 (2)
25 59Michael McDowellCircle Sport – Leavine Family RacingChevrolet46.72813 (1)
26 7Regan SmithTommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet46.74313 (2)
27 83Michael WaltripBK RacingToyota46.77614 (1)
28 34Chris Buescher (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord46.78614 (2)
29 10Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet46.80415 (1)
30 32Bobby LabonteGo FAS RacingFord46.92215 (2)
31 47A. J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet46.97716 (1)
32 6Trevor BayneRoush Fenway RacingFord47.01316 (2)
33 46Michael AnnettHScott MotorsportsChevrolet47.04617 (1)
34 15Clint BowyerHScott MotorsportsChevrolet47.05917 (2)
35 38Landon CassillFront Row MotorsportsFord47.07318 (1)
36 26Robert Richardson, Jr.BK RacingToyota47.24518 (2)
37 98Cole WhittPremium MotorsportsToyota47.27519 (1)
38 35David GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord47.53119 (2)
39 23David RaganBK RacingToyota47.60220 (1)
40 30Josh WiseThe Motorsports GroupChevrolet48.05620 (2)
41 40Reed SorensonPremium MotorsportsChevrolet49.67921 (1)
42 14Brian VickersStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet0.000-21 (2)
43 4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet0.000-22 (1)
44 78Martin Truex, Jr.Furniture Row RacingToyota0.000-22 (2)
Official qualifying results
Key Meaning
(1) Race 1
(2) Race 2

Practice (post-qualifying)

Third practice (February 17)

Michael McDowell was the fastest in the third practice session with a time of 44.961 and a speed of 200.173 mph (322.147 km/h).[20]

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 59Michael McDowellCircle Sport – Leavine Family RacingChevrolet44.961200.173
2 6Trevor BayneRoush Fenway RacingFord45.019199.916
3 16Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord45.086199.619
Official third practice results

Fourth practice (February 17)

Brian Scott was the fastest in the fourth practice session with a time of 45.045 and a speed of 199.800 mph (321.547 km/h).[21] Kyle Larson and Michael Waltrip will start from the rear of the field in their respective Duel races after being involved in a four-car crash in turn 1.[22]

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 44Brian Scott (R)Richard Petty MotorsportsFord45.045199.800
2 3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet45.052199.762
3 18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota45.061199.729
Official fourth practice results

Final practice (February 18)

Jimmie Johnson was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 46.619 and a speed of 193.054 mph (310.690 km/h).[23]

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet46.619193.054
2 44Brian Scott (R)Richard Petty MotorsportsFord47.394189.897
3 43Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord47.394189.897
Official final practice results

Races

Start

Under clear night Florida skies, Chase Elliott led the field to the green flag at 7:21 p.m. He drafted ahead of teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to lead the first lap. After stalling out heading to the line, Earnhardt took the lead on lap 3. He spent the next few laps holding the reigns of the field controlling the top and bottom lanes. Eventually the field formed a single-file line and rode around the top lane of the track. Brad Keselowski made a few attempts to pass him, but Earnhardt continued to control the track to the point he settled back behind. By lap 27, the single-file train broke up and two lines formed amongst the front pack. A number of cars hit pit road to kick off a cycle of green flag stops on lap 40. Earnhardt hit pit road on lap 41 and teammate Kasey Kahne assumed the lead. He pitted the next lap and the lead cycled to Denny Hamlin.

Second half

The first caution of the race flew on lap 43 for a single-car spin in turn 1. Going for the pass on Michael McDowell, Cole Whitt got turned and sent spinning by Regan Smith. He retired from the race and would go on to miss the Daytona 500.

The race restarted with 13 laps to go. Hamlin got a jump on Earnhardt and pulled to the front with ease. Earnhardt worked his way back to the front and drove underneath Hamlin to retake the lead with five laps to go. As Brian Scott got turned and slammed the inside wall exiting turn 4, Earnhardt took the checkered flag.[24] McDowell raced his way in as the fastest of the non-charter cars while Cole Whitt and Josh Wise did not qualify.

Results

Pos Grid No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps
1 288Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet60
2 722Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord60
3 421Ryan BlaneyWood Brothers RacingFord60
4 224Kevin HarvickStewart Haas RacingChevrolet60
5 611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota60
6 124Chase Elliott (R)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet60
7 85Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet60
8 1116Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord60
9 1534Chris Buescher (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord60
10 317Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.Roush Fenway RacingFord60
11 53Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet60
12 176Trevor BayneRoush Fenway RacingFord60
13 102Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord60
14 1359Michael McDowellCircle Sport – Leavine Family RacingChevrolet60
15 147Regan SmithTommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet60
16 2023David RaganBK RacingToyota60
17 2130Josh WiseThe Motorsports GroupChevrolet60
18 1815Clint BowyerHScott MotorsportsChevrolet60
19 1632Bobby LabonteGo FAS RacingFord60
20 1244Brian Scott (R)Richard Petty MotorsportsFord59
21 927Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet58
22 1998Cole WhittPremium MotorsportsToyota47
Unofficial race results
Start

Matt Kenseth led the field to the green flag at 9:02 p.m. He pulled ahead of teammate Kyle Busch to lead the first lap. Unlike the first Duel race, the bottom line disappeared and the field formed a single-file train by the fifth lap. After Ryan Newman led the second pack of cars back up to the lead 11 cars, Martin Truex, Jr. jumped in front of him and reformed the bottom line. However, the line lost momentum and merged with the top line. Running with debris on his grille, Kenseth let Busch go by him in turn 1 to get it off and Busch took over the lead on lap 25. Kyle Busch hit pit road on lap 39 and handed the lead to Aric Almirola. He pitted the next lap and the lead cycled back to Busch.

Second half

Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth and Martin Truex Jr. on the final lap in turn 2

With six laps to go, Jimmie Johnson broke out of line and caused the single-file line to form multiple lines before reforming into a single line. Eventually, Kenseth tried to break the line up again, but the field remained in place. With two laps to go, Casey Mears ran out of gas, nearly caused a wreck amongst the leaders and broke up the single-file train. The final lap saw a multi-car wreck in turn 1 that ended the race and gave the win to Busch.[25] Robert Richardson, Jr. raced his way in, while David Gilliland and Reed Sorenson failed to qualify.

Results

Pos Grid No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps
1 218Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota60
2 101Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet60
3 541Kurt BuschStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet60
4 419Carl EdwardsJoe Gibbs RacingToyota60
5 895Ty DillonCircle Sport – Leavine Family RacingChevrolet60
6 1142Kyle LarsonChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet60
7 1410Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet60
8 2214Brian VickersStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet60
9 1293Matt DiBenedettoBK RacingToyota60
10 1646Michael AnnettHScott MotorsportsChevrolet60
11 1738Landon CassillFront Row MotorsportsFord60
12 1935David GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord60
13 348Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet59
14 2178Martin Truex, Jr.Furniture Row RacingToyota59
15 1547A. J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet59
16 120Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota59
17 613Casey MearsGermain RacingChevrolet59
18 1826Robert Richardson, Jr.BK RacingToyota59
19 943Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord59
20 1383Michael WaltripBK RacingToyota59
21 2040Reed SorensonPremium MotorsportsChevrolet56
22 731Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet31
Unofficial race results

Media

Television

Fox Sports 1
Booth announcersPit reporters
Lap-by-lap: Mike Joy
Color-commentator: Jeff Gordon
Color commentator: Darrell Waltrip
Jamie Little
Chris Neville
Vince Welch
Matt Yocum

Radio

MRN Radio
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Joe Moore
Announcer: Jeff Striegle
Announcer: Rusty Wallace
Turns 1 & 2: Dave Moody
Backstretch: Mike Bagley
Turns 3 & 4: Kyle Rickey
Alex Hayden
Winston Kelley
Steve Post

Notes

    References

    1. "2016 Sprint Cup Series schedule" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. January 26, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
    2. "Daytona International Speedway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
    3. "First Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
    4. "Second Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 13, 2016. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
    5. "Qualifying results" (PDF). Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. February 14, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
    6. "Third Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    7. "Fourth Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    8. "Final Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
    9. "Duel Race 1 Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
    10. "Duel Race 2 Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. February 18, 2016. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
    11. "Race Tracks". NASCAR. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
    12. "Daytona International Speedway Track Facts". Daytona International Speedway. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
    13. Long, Dustin (February 13, 2016). "Dale Earnhardt Jr. fastest in first practice Saturday at Daytona". nascartalk.nbcsports.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: NBC Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
    14. Spencer, Lee (February 13, 2016). "Penske teammates draft their way to the top of second 500 practice". Motorsport.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Motorsport.com, Inc. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
    15. Gluck, Jeff (February 14, 2016). "Chase Elliott wins pole for Daytona 500". USA Today. Daytona Beach, Florida: Gannett Company. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
    16. Wackerlin, Jeff (February 14, 2016). "Elliott Wins Daytona 500 Pole". MRN.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
    17. Pockrass, Bob (February 14, 2016). "Chase Elliott gets pole, Matt DiBenedetto breathes sigh of relief". ESPN.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
    18. Willis, Ken (February 14, 2016). "Like father, like son: Second-generation Elliott becomes youngest to win pole for 500". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida: GateHouse Media, Inc. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
    19. Pockrass, Bob (February 14, 2016). "Martin Truex Jr. to start at back of Daytona qualifying for violation". ESPN.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
    20. Spencer, Lee (February 17, 2016). "Roush cars forced to change rear gears as McDowell leads practice". Motorsport.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Motorsport.com, Inc. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    21. Utter, Jim (February 17, 2016). "Multi-car wreck mars Wednesday's final Cup practice". Motorsport.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: Motorsport.com, Inc. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    22. Albert, Zack (February 17, 2016). "Ty Dillon: 'I hate that we tore up so many race cars'". NASCAR.com. Daytona Beach, Florida: NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    23. Bonkowski, Jerry (February 18, 2016). "Jimmie Johnson leads final Sprint Cup practice prior to Can-Am Duels". nascartalk.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
    24. Gluck, Jeff (February 18, 2016). "Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins first of two duels, will start third in Daytona 500". USA Today. Daytona Beach, Florida: Gannett Company. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
    25. Fryer, Jenna (February 18, 2016). "Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch win Daytona qualifying races". Associated Press. Daytona Beach, Florida: AP Sports. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2016.
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