DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Michael McDowell, driver of the #59 Thrivent Financial Chevrolet, drives during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Michael McDowell paced the first of two 45-minute practices Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway in advance of Thursday's Can-Am Duel qualifying race.
McDowell, one of eight drivers trying to qualify for the final four spots in the Daytona 500 field, set a fast lap of 200.173 miles per hour in the No. 59 Thrivent Financial/KLOVE Chevrolet.
Right behind McDowell were all three Roush Fenway Racing Fords, with Trevor Bayne leading Greg Biffle and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Casey Mears completed the top five.
As expected, it was a conservative session, as drivers are trying to protect their primary cars for the qualifying races and more importantly, Sunday's Daytona 500.
Tonight's second and final session runs from 6:10-6:55 p.m. and will be televised life on FS1.
Five cars will start the Can-Am Duels from the rear of the field: Martin Truex Jr., who did not make a qualifying attempt; Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Kevin Harvick and Brian Vickers had their qualifying times disallowed for track-bar violations; and Bayne and Biffle for gear changes.
Check out the complete results from the practice here:
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.