NASCAR
Daytona 500 Fans Respond To NASCAR Cup Series’ Bubba Wallace Capturing Duel 1
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Published13 Feb 2025
An emotional driver, NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace yearned for a chance to celebrate a win during a Duel at Daytona race.
“All my friends got one,” Wallace told Fox Sports after claiming the Duel 1 Wednesday night at Daytona International Speedway. “Got me one now. I’m good.”
Wallace and Ty Dillon battled for the lead on with six rotations remaining on the 60-lap event. Running side-by-side, Wallace took advantage of Dillon losing control.
Wallace, who led a race-high 20 laps, knew who to thank when he pulled away at the end, his Toyota teammate.
“Thanks to Tyler (Reddick),” Wallace said. “He did a great job of pushing me.”
X (Twitter) s responded to Wallace’s win and Justin Allgaier earing a P9 as JR Motorsports earned its first Daytona 500 entry. “I can’t believe we get to race on Sunday,” Dale Earnhart Jr. said, wiping tears from his eyes …
THE EMOTIONS OF DAYTONA!
Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts as Justin Allgaier races his way into the #Daytona500.
🎥 : @dustinlong pic.twitter.com/5EiMTI8SNl
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 14, 2025
Getting the Duel at Daytona started …
Time to fire 'em up! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qWxuasjtd3
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025
Duel 1 begins …
Two spots in the #DAYTONA500 are still up for grabs!
The green flag flies in Duel 1! pic.twitter.com/RQOorYS9Ca
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025
Well, at least Chase Elliott was already locked into a Daytona 500 starting spot …
Not the way that @chaseelliott wanted to start his night. pic.twitter.com/K0hmRBTe4n
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025
Running P5, Zane Smith’s machine suffered a cut right front tire along Turn 2 and caused the first caution on Lap 3 …
A close call early! @ZaneSmith has issues at the front of the pack! pic.twitter.com/bzLbMehSOy
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025
An open competitor who was eliminated, Chandler Smith lost control along Turn 2 and hit the wall so hard he told Fox Sports it the “hardest hit of my life.” Also involved in the Lapl 14 mele were Helio Castroneves, Ty Gibbs, JJ Yeley, and Bubba Wallace …
Huge hit for Chandler Smith! 💥 His chances of making the #Daytona500 are over 💔
Helio Castroneves was also involved, but he can fall back on a provisional to make the race.
🎥 @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/TbHyWCgdbc
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) February 14, 2025
Welcome to Daytona, Helio Castroneves …
Who forgot to tell Helio Castroneves about the apron at Daytona? pic.twitter.com/M1WavSGSrr
— Skewcar (@Skewcar) February 14, 2025
Poised to start Sunday on the pole, Chase Briscoe drove a conservative race, staying behind the lead pack through 28 laps. Not willing to risk tearing up the primary machine, Briscoe called it an early night …
Chase Briscoe said "Yeah, no. I'm good" pic.twitter.com/57P7d3xoEj
— Skewcar (@Skewcar) February 14, 2025
Wallace pulls out the win …
Bubba Wallace wins Duel No. 1 at Daytona! pic.twitter.com/dVYLy7QyGo
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025
Father-son moment …
DAYTONA BABY! (literally) https://t.co/A1RXP3yCV0 pic.twitter.com/MxmCm2erpt
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025
Wallace celebrates in Victory Lane …
Bubba Wallace rolls into Victory Lane at Daytona! #Hot pic.twitter.com/yk3QjG9TlA
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025
