Amelia did it again.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove his favorite car, nicknamed Amelia, to a dominating victory in the first Can-Am Duel Daytona 500 qualifying race Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway.
It was the second consecutive year Earnhardt drove the same Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to victory. Defending Daytona 500 winner Joey Logano finished second in a Team Penske Ford, ahead of the Wood Brothers Racing Ford of Ryan Blaney.
Earnhardt took the lead from pole-sitter and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott on Lap 3 and proceeded to dominate the early part of the race. Team Penske teammates Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano pressured Earnhardt for much of the first half of the race, but Earnhardt led 28 of the first 30 laps.
On Lap 40, Earnhardt pitted and Denny Hamlin took the lead. Shortly thereafter, Cole Whitt spun to bring out a caution flag.
The race restarted on Lap 48, with Hamlin in control out front.
With less than 10 laps to go, Earnhardt begun pressuring Hamlin for the lead. With six laps to go, Earnhardt got past Hamlin and went into the lead and onto victory. All told, Earnhardt led 43 of 60 laps.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.