Ryan Preece Third In Daytona 500 Time Trial Qualifying; Kyle Busch Wins Pole For Daytona 500

Kyle Busch will lead the field to green in Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. 

Busch edged Chase Briscoe in time trial qualifying for the Daytona 500 Wendesday at Daytona International Speedway.

It was Busch’s first Daytona 500 pole. He will be making 21st start in the event on Sunday.

Former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece was third in the first round of qualifying and backed that up with a third place in the final round, which included the top-10 from the first round of qualifying.

Wednesday’s qualifying session set the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500. The remainder of the field will be set through twin 60-lap qualifying races on Thursday at Daytona. 

Preece will be making his seventh Daytona 500 start on Sunday. His best finish in the race is a sixth place in 2021. His best start in the event was 11th, also in 2021.

“We have a really fast Ford Mustang, Preece said. “It’s the same thing as last year. We qualified third last year and unfortunately didn’t lock ourselves into the front row, but I’m ready to race the Duels. I’m excited about it. We’ve got a fast Ford Mustang. Viva Towels, Kroger, Ford Mustang. It was a really great job prepping this race car and it makes me excited about tomorrow.” 

Preece was third fastest in the opening round of qualifying. The top-10 in the opening round advanced to the final round. Busch led the way in the first round of qualifying with Briscoe setting the second fastest time. 

Others advancing to the second round were Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson, Corey Heim, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Joey Logano. 

Preece is coming off a victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Cookout Clash last week at Bowman Gray Stadium. The non-points exhibition event marked Preece’s first Cup Series victory.

“I’m a big guy on when you get momentum don’t let it go, so we’re ready to race,” Preece said.