Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch win Daytona qualifying races

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Can-Am Duels at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

It was Earnhardt’s 17th career win at Daytona International Speedway, and came on the 15th anniversary of his father’s death. With six laps to go, Earnhardt got past Hamlin and went into the lead and onto victory.

Earnhardt got the lead on Lap 55 of 60, diving to the inside and pulling up beside Hamlin, who was leading at the time.

Harvick got by Earnhardt for second on the restart, but Earnhardt quickly moved back into second and by four to go took the lead from Hamlin and held on the rest of the way.

It was the second consecutive year Earnhardt drove the same Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to victory.

Kyle Busch, the reigning Sprint Cup champion, won the second qualifying race, but several contenders wrecked their prized cars in a last-lap accident. “If we beat the No. 30 [Josh Wise] and the 98, we would have a spot in the Daytona 500 no matter where the 21 [Blaney] finished, and that’s what we did”.

The race was slowed by one caution when Cole Whitt, who was battling with McDowell for what at the time would have been the final 500 transfer spot, spun through Turns 1 and 2. Blaney had already earned a guaranteed berth in the race by posting the fastest qualifying speed among non-charter teams in his Wood Brothers Ford. “We’re racing Sunday and I can’t wait to get going”.

“We knew we were locked in before, but it’s nice to know we raced our way in”, Blaney said.

The third position on the Daytona 500 starting grid was the highest starting spot still available.

Earnhardt positioned himself to win a third Daytona 500 Sunday.