Truex & Johnson Clinch Daytona 500 Grid Spots On Speed

Jimmie Johnson (left) and Martin Truex Jr. debrief after locking into the Daytona 500 field Wednesday night. (Jacob Seelman photo)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A pair of decorated NASCAR Cup Series champions found themselves breathing much, much easier Wednesday night following Busch Light Pole Qualifying for the 67th Daytona 500.

TRICON Garage’s Martin Truex Jr. and Legacy Motor Club’s Jimmie Johnson, both among the ‘Open’ cars not locked into the starting field for the Great American Race, were the two fastest non-chartered drivers in time trials at Daytona Int’l Speedway and clinched their spots on the Daytona 500 starting grid.

No matter what happens in Thursday night’s pair of 150-mile Duel qualifying races, Truex and Johnson will be able to fall back on their qualifying speeds if needed, giving them both another chance at the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy.

Truex was fastest of the nine Open drivers and _ overall, with a lap of 49.641 seconds (181.302 mph) in the No. 56 Bass Pro Shops Toyota. Sunday will mark his 21st consecutive Daytona 500 start.

“This is definitely a big weight off the shoulders,” noted Truex. “You never know what can happen in the Duels; they can get crazy, something can happen on pit road … there are just so many variables that can get you in trouble in those things, so it’s good not to have to stress about that part. Really great job by all the guys that worked their butts off on this car to make it fast. They were sweating all afternoon, but luckily we were able to put a good lap in.

“Thanks to Johnny (Morris) and everybody at Bass Pro (Shops) for helping us put this deal together, as well as everyone at TRICON, JGR, and Toyota,” he added. “It’s a big deal for Toyota with both (open) cars being locked in now. Hopefully we can have a good time the rest of the week now.”

Johnson had to sweat out some nerves until Chandler Smith went out as the 25th driver of 45 overall to turn a qualifying lap around the 2.5-mile Daytona high banks.

Ultimately, however, his lap of 49.783 seconds (180.785 mph) in the No. 84 Carvana Toyota was enough – even though it was only 29th-best among the full field of entries in single-car time trials.

Johnson seemed a bit stunned as the realization set in on pit road that he’ll make his 22nd career Daytona 500 start on Sunday. He’s seeking his third win after topping the race in 2006 and 2013.

“I was like ‘what?’” joked a jubilant Johnson once Smith crossed the line. “After what I went through last year, I am so thrilled. Oh my gosh. I am very, very proud of everyone at Legacy Motor Club for the effort they’ve put into this car and the evolution that we’ve been on since the end of last season to now.

“Very excited and thankful to have Carvana on board as well. Shaq, we’re in the big show, buddy! It’s going to be a lot of fun on Sunday. I’m truly thrilled.”

While Truex and Johnson are locked into Sunday’s Daytona 500 field, the likes of JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, Beard Motorsports’ Anthony Alfredo, and more will have to stress over trying to race their way onto the grid during the two Duel qualifying races Thursday night.

The sense of relief was visibly evident on both veterans’ faces after they climbed from their Toyotas following their qualifying laps. The hardest part – making the race – is officially in the rear-view mirror.

“A lot of people put a lot of effort and hard work into doing this, so you always like to see them enjoy the fruits of their labor,” Truex said. “Everybody at TRICON came together with Toyota and (having) JGR support, it’s been a good collaboration with a lot of fun guys on our team that have been around a while. Hopefully, now that we know we’re in, we can have a good week and be prepared for a great Sunday.”

“The experience I had last year, it’s been ringing through my brain at night leading up to this week. I jumped out of bed a few times with some nightmares as this day got closer,” Johnson admitted. “We’re doing so much to turn Legacy Motor Club around and have it point in the right direction, and our partnership with Carvana and bringing Shaquille O’Neal in … it would have really been a bummer to miss the race. There’s still a chance to race in tomorrow, but I’m so happy to have this behind us and not have to worry about it if we can’t race in.”

Catch Truex and Johnson, along with the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field, in the 67th Daytona 500 Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage airs live on FOX, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.