Heading into Thursday’s Bluegreen Vacation Duel at Daytona, JJ Yeley and the No. 44 NY Racing team had been the punchline of a lot of jokes. However, in the closing laps of the opening Duel, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson wasn’t laughing. He was worrying.
However, Johnson was able to narrowly squeeze by Yeley in the final stretch of the final lap after Ross Chastain got stalled out in the middle lane. Yeley chose to knife to the outside of Johnson, while Johnson opted to push Chastain. With Johnson’s push, Chastain got moving, and they scooted by Yeley who was effectively hung out of the draft as a result of his move.
Here is the video of the wild last lap of Duel No. 1:
Tyler Reddick wins Duel 1 at Daytona! Jimmie Johnson races his way in. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/t9i2o7igOr
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2024
