Briscoe earns Daytona 500 Pol as Truex, Johnson Lock in the field

An ‘incredible’ way to start the year and season, according to Chase Briscoe, which rocked to the top of the Daytona 500 qualifying charts with a 49,249’s lap in the final round. The prestigious pole is huge for Briscoe, but even greater for the producer and the team as Toyota has never earned the pole position in Daytona 500 and Joe Gibbs Racing has not taken the top place in 500 qualification since 1998 with Bobby Labonte.

Briscoe’s fantastic pole driving saw him best Team Penske’s Austin Cindrric, which inevitably ended Ford’s race on nine consecutive poles in preparation tracks. The blue oval, however, made a statement and took each place inside the top-five union first position.

“(It’s) a great way to start our season,” said Briscoe, who has two previous cup series. “Incredible way to start the year. Incredible way to start with Toyota. Being able to be the guy to deliver them the first something when they’ve already achieved so much is pretty cool … can’t thank Coach Gibbs Enough, the whole of Joe Gibbs Racing organization.

Ryan Preece was third on the time sheet, Joey Logano Fourth, Josh Berry Fifth, Denny Hamlin Sixth, Austin Dillon Seventh, Christopher Bell eighth, Ty Dillon Ninth and Kyle Larson Tithe.

Two champs locked in

And Toyota’s Good Night went far beyond Briscoe’s pole. Of the nine open drivers, only two had the opportunity to lock themselves into the race on Wednesday night, and both were members of the Toyota camp. It was the two former NASCAR CUP masters – Martin Truex Jr. And Jimmie Johnson – who edited the rest of the massive open field. It is noted that they were also the only Toyota drivers who were not yet locked into the race. When the manufacturer tracks both Chevrolet and Ford in the total car count, they need all the allies they can get for Sunday.

Martin Truex Jr., Tricon Garage Toyota

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

“Definitely a great relief,” said Truex, who will make his 21st performance in 500 on Sunday. “You never know what can happen in the duels – they can get crazy, something on Pit Road can get you in trouble. Great job for all guys – they worked their shutters on this car. They were sweating all afternoon and fortunately we were able to put a good lap in. “

For Johnson, he was just glad he didn’t have to go through the stress of last year’s attempt to fight in 500 with a last passport in his qualifying race. “What I went through last year was so scary and I’m glad I don’t have to go through it again. I certainly respect this process and do not envy the guys who have to run their way in. It’s so hard. I am very happy with my Toyota. I am very happy with everyone at the Legacy Motor Club. We have three cars here, all of which are pretty fast. That’s a big improvement from last year. We have worked hard in the off -season. We’re in the big show. “

Jimmie Johnson, Legacy Motor Club Toyota

Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

The third fastest for the open post -drivers was Justin Allgaier, in an entrance owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., who puts him in a solid position to transfer to time if the TRUEX or Johnson is the best open driver in their respective duel Race. But if that doesn’t happen, Allgai will have the same goal as the rest of the open field – finished higher than the rest and run into 500.

As it says, the following open drivers will compete in the Duel 1 race: Truex, Allgaier, Helio Castroneves and JJ Yeley. Castronves can breathe a little easier as he may fall back on the open exception for a guaranteed starting place if he does not drive his way in. In Duel 2, the open drivers will be as follows: Johnson, Corey Lajoie, Anthony Alfredo, and BJ McLeod.

Qualifying races on Twin 150-Mile begins at 1 p.m. 19.00 EST Thursday night, where the full field of drivers will finally be set.

Photos from Daytona 500 – Wednesday