Dakoda Armstrong wins Subway Firecracker 250 pole in rain shortened session

In the rain shortened NASCAR Nationwide Series qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway, it’d be Dakoda Armstrong scoring the pole for the Subway Firecracker 250. It marks Armstrong’s first career Coors Light Pole Award in his 23rd career start.

Armstrong was one of the drivers who went out early in the session and was able to get the tow needed while drafting with fellow Ford drivers to post the quickest speed before the session was over. All of the teams were able to get out early in the session and heading into the final 10 minutes, some drivers headed out to try and improve their laps. However, as the group headed out to the backstretch in the final eight minutes, the skies opened up and rain would fall, resulting in nine cars wrecking. Mike Bliss was leading the group and got sideways first, before collecting the others. Matt Dibenedetto, Ross Chastain, Scott Lagasse Jr., Blake Koch, Benny Gordon, Joe Nemechek and Erik McClure would all get caught up in the wreck.

“I don’t know that there’s words that there is to describe it. We had no idea that it was raining as the spotter noticed it off the corner two,” McClure commented. “It’s disappointing with all the technology that we have and the spotters that a caution wasn’t thrown. It sucks due to the amount of TriStar Motorsports cars that are tore up. Its disappointing.”

With some rain continuing to fall and track drying commencing to get set for Sprint Cup Qualifying, NASCAR would deem the session over and with everyone having made an attempt, the speeds counting.

Trevor Bayne will start second as he looks to gain points on points leader Elliott Sadler and get back into the battle for the championship, followed by teammate Chris Buescher, Ryan Reed and Kyle Busch. Sadler will start sixth ahead of Chase Elliott, Regan Smith, Darrell Wallace Jr. and Kyle Larson.