DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Despite parity amongst the manufacturers during Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying for next Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, the new Chevrolet Camaros ZL1 came out swinging, especially after Alex Bowman won the pole for the “Great American Race.”
Bowman driving the No. 88 Chevrolet this year will look to continue the dominance of his Hendrick Motorsports car –- handed off to him from now-retired Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
When it came to plate racing, the No. 88 Chevrolet was often a pick, likely a threat but always a fan favorite, Bowman now has an opportunity to carry the torch into a new season and contend for the Harley J. Earl trophy after recording his second Cup Series pole.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” said Bowman, the 41st different Daytona 500 pole sitter in 60 races. “Our Nationwide Camaro ZL1 has been great since we unloaded. All the guys back at the chassis shop, body shop, and the Hendrick engine shop have been top-notch.
“They’ve all worked so hard. And we knew we were going for the pole; that’s what we’re here to do. And I thought we were at a little disadvantage letting the car cool down as long as we did since we went pretty early in the first round.
“I was a little nervous for that second round. But it took off well off pit road and I did everything I could do, but it really comes down to the crew and all the guys back at the shop, whether it’s the aero group, the engine shop, the chassis shop.
“Everybody works so hard at these speedway cars, especially the 500. It just means the world to have Nationwide support and to be able to put it on the pole.”
It wasn’t just Bowman who stole the headlines though. Chevrolet claimed three of the top-five qualifying runs for the season-opening race on Feb. 18.
Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson landed third in qualifying, seeking his third Daytona 500 trophy was very content with the speed in his Hendrick Motorsports car.
“I’m just proud of everybody at Hendrick and everybody at Chevrolet. We were really going hard for a front-row and wanted that for Chevy more than anything,” Johnson said. “Just missed it by a hair, but very proud of our effort and happy that a Chevy Camaro ZL1 got the pole.”
Reigning XFINITY Series champion William Byron who replaced Kasey Kahne at Hendrick maneuvered his No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet to the fifth quickest lap overall.
“Yeah, I was really happy,” said Byron. “Our team has brought a really fast race car and I feel like the flames and everything look really cool. It’s going to be fun to race that in the Duel under the lights. The car is going to shine really good.
“I’m looking forward to that Duel and hopefully learn a little bit more in the draft and apply that to the (Daytona) 500. Great starting spot. Hopefully, we can keep it up there on Thursday.”
2016 Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin broke up the Chevrolet parade by qualifying second, the outside pole.
Chase Elliott was the other Chevrolet Camaro inside the top-10 during qualifying, posting the 10th quickest lap overall – but not enough to secure his third straight Daytona 500 pole.
“Well, everything is okay if your car drives good, I think come Thursday,” offered Elliott. “That is the main focus. It’s a great honor to be on the pole and a great achievement for our team and the efforts they put in throughout the off-season, but there is a lot of opportunity to showcase their efforts throughout the season. First being Thursday and most importantly next Sunday.”
Other notable Chevrolets inside the top-20: Austin Dillon (13th) and Kasey Kahne (18th).
Danica Patrick in her final Cup Series start posted the 28th quickest lap in qualifying for Premium Motorsports. She won the pole for the 2013 Daytona 500 and finished eighth, the best by a female competitor in both categories.
“Yeah, I mean I haven’t made very many laps, but I feel pretty comfortable,” sounded Patrick. “Everything is the same as it was before as far as showing up to Daytona without having driven since Homestead, so that is no different. But, obviously I’m with a different team, so, I was super comfortable in the car right off the bat and I have my old seat and I have all of my old stuff, so it’s nice to fit right in.
“And having Tony Eury, Jr. I mean look I don’t always know who to talk to, but I can go to him. He knows who to talk to from there. It makes it pretty straightforward for me, so, yeah, we started off we were not super-fast and we are continually getting better and we are going to continue to do that as the week goes on and we can work on things.”
During the off-season, the powerhouse Chevrolet teams remained consistent that the new body style would turn heads. While restrictor plate qualifying isn’t a guaranteed method for speed moving forward, it’s a good start nonetheless.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
