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Alex Bowman ran an electrifying 46.002-second lap to secure the pole for next Sunday's 60th running of the Daytona 500. Denny Hamlin ran a 46.132 and will start the race second. 

The remainder of the field for the Great American Race will be decided Thursday in the Can-Am duels. Starting position for each duel has been determined by Sunday's qualifying times. Odd-positioned cars will line up for the first headlined by Bowman while Hamlin will lead the even-qualified cars to green in the second duel.

Bowman has big shoes to fill this season, taking the place of NASCAR's Most Popular Driver for the past 15 seasons, Dale Earnhardt Jr. The 24-year-old Bowman has 81 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts under his belt, with many coming during the 2016 season as a replacement for the then-injured Earnhardt. 

It is the second career pole of Bowman's career, with the first coming at Phoenix during the 2016 season. Danica Patrick ran 28th-fastest on Sunday, and will look to improve starting position time in Thursday's second duel.

How to watch the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duels

Location: Daytona International Speedway
Date: Thursday, Feb. 15
Time: Starts at 7 p.m. ET
Length: 60 laps/150 miles (two races)
TV: FS1
Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free) 

Projected starting lineup for Can-Am Duel No. 1

  1. Alex Bowman
  2. Jimmie Johnson
  3. William Byron
  4. Daniel Suarez
  5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  6. Joey Logano
  7. Aric Almirola
  8. Ryan Blaney
  9. Kurt Busch
  10. Brad Keselowski
  11. Ryan Newman
  12. Jamie McMurray
  13. Darrell Wallace Jr.
  14. Ty Dillon
  15. Chris Buescher
  16. Brendan Gaughan
  17. Matt DiBenedetto
  18. Jeffrey Earnhardt
  19. Mark Thompson
  20. Gray Gaulding

Projected starting lineup for Can-Am Duel No. 2

  1. Denny Hamlin
  2. Kyle Busch
  3. Erik Jones
  4. Kevin Harvick
  5. Chase Elliott
  6. Paul Menard
  7. Austin Dillon
  8. Clint Bowyer
  9. Kasey Kahne
  10. Trevor Bayne
  11. Kyle Larson
  12. Michael McDowell
  13. Martin Truex Jr.
  14. Danica Patrick
  15. AJ Allmendinger
  16. Justin Marks
  17. DJ Kennington
  18. David Gilliland
  19. Corey LaJoie
  20. David Ragan

In between front-row qualifying and the duels came the Advance Auto Parts Clash, formerly known as the Budweiser Shootout. Daytona 500 betting favorite Brad Keselowski took home the checkered flag in that one followed by teammate Joey Logano.

Advance Auto Parts Clash results

  1. Brad Keselowski
  2. Joey Logano
  3. Kurt Busch
  4. Ryan Blaney
  5. Austin Dillon
  6. Denny Hamlin
  7. Kyle Busch
  8. Erik Jones
  9. Kevin Harvick
  10. Kyle Larson
  11. Ryan Newman
  12. Jimmie Johnson
  13. Chase Elliott
  14. Martin Truex Jr.
  15. Kasey Kahne
  16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  17. Jamie McMurray

As far as the Daytona 500 itself goes, the spotlight shifts from Earnhardt to the up-and-comers. Playoff contenders Chase Elliott (last year's pole winner) and Ryan Blaney along with rookies William Byron and Darrell "Bubba" Wallace will be looking to make their mark. Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez are among those looking for success in their sophomore campaigns while Alex Bowman takes over for Dale Jr. in the No. 88.

The Great American Race will also signal Patrick's farewell to NASCAR. Patrick announced before the end of last season that her final two races would be the Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500. The 35-year-old will be teaming up with original sponsor GoDaddy in the No. 7 for her sendoff. 

Martin Truex Jr. is preparing to begin his title defense in the same state where he won the 2017 Championship less than three months ago. The 37-year-old won eight races, including the final one at Homestead Miami-Speedway. Truex has an average finish of 18.28 at Daytona, with his best being second place in 2016. 

How to watch the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500

Location: Daytona International Speedway
Date: Sunday, Feb. 18
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Length: 200 laps/500 miles
Stage 1: Ends on lap 60
Stage 2: Ends on lap 120
Final stage: Scheduled for lap 200
TV: Fox
Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)