Hamlin Paces Opening Practice For 67th Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin (11) was fastest during the first practice session for the Daytona 500. (Scotte Sprinkle/Race Face Digital photo)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In the only pre-qualifying practice for the 67th Daytona 500, three-time winner Denny Hamlin led the speed charts Wednesday morning after going out late in a multi-car draft.

Hamlin’s 15th of 19 laps around the 2.5-mile Daytona Int’l Speedway oval was his best, with a time of 48.005 seconds (187.480 mph) in the No. 11 National Debt Relief Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing.

He was fastest of 43 cars that took at least one lap during the 50-minute session, with the Spire Motorsports duo of Justin Haley and 2021 Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell electing not to go on track.

Hamlin is seeking his fourth Daytona 500 win in the last decade this weekend.

One of the cars Hamlin co-owns alongside NBA legend Michael Jordan – 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace – was second quick on the scoreboard at 48.150 seconds (186.915 mph) with the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry XSE.

Hamlin’s JGR teammate Ty Gibbs was third (48.291/186.370) overall, with Garage 66’s Chandler Smith ranking fourth (48.341/186.177) as the fastest Ford in opening practice.

Legacy Motor Club’s John Hunter Nemechek closed the fast five, followed by NASCAR Cup Series rookie Riley Herbst sixth. Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez was the best Chevrolet driver in seventh on the speed charts.

Noah Gragson, Erik Jones, and Kyle Busch rounded out the top 10.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, driving a fourth entry for Trackhouse Racing, placed 12th in practice in his first appearance on the Daytona oval.

Of the nine non-chartered entries looking to race into the Daytona 500 field, Castroneves is the only one guaranteed to race on Sunday, courtesy of NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional that grants a 41st starting spot to a world-class driver in the event it is needed after Thursday’s Duel qualifying races.

Castroneves can also lock in on speed by being one of the two fastest Open drivers in pole qualifying Wednesday night.

Defending Daytona 500 winner William Byron landed 22nd on the time sheets in the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet, third of the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers.

Byron did not go out in the draft and only turned five mock qualifying laps, but feels confident in his race car. He was out of the car and done for the morning with 15 minutes to go in the practice session.

“We’re good,” Byron noted. “We’re focusing on qualifying today, obviously, and it’s good because it gives the guys a chance to work on the car and gives them a little extra time. The car feels good; everything’s normal, and you’re out there just making a lap by yourself … so there’s really not much to reference.

“The car looks great and I’m so excited for another season and pumped to be down here at Daytona,” he added. “I feel refreshed and ready to go. Last year was great for us (in the Daytona 500) and this year, we’ll hopefully start off better instead of (having to go to) a backup car.”

Busch Light Pole Qualifying for the 67th Daytona 500 kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET Wednesday night, with live broadcast coverage on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

The front row starters will be set for Sunday’s Great American Race, and the fastest two non-chartered cars will lock into the field. Everyone else will have to earn their starting positions during Thursday’s 150-mile Duel qualifying races.