NASCAR

Daytona 500 Fans Respond To NASCAR Cup Series’ Bubba Wallace Capturing Duel 1

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By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined 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 NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published13 Feb 2025

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Bubba Wallace looks on during NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 qualifying.

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) users 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 …   

Getting the Duel at Daytona started … 

Duel 1 begins … 

 Well, at least Chase Elliott was already locked into a Daytona 500 starting spot … 

 Running P5, Zane Smith’s machine suffered a cut right front tire along Turn 2 and caused the first caution on Lap 3 … 

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 … 

 Welcome to Daytona, Helio Castroneves … 

 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 … 

 Wallace pulls out the win …

Father-son moment …

Wallace celebrates in Victory Lane …