Earnhardt, Johnson win Budweiser Duels

The Hendrick Motorsports cars of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson, two of the fastest cars in Speedweeks thus far, raced to victory in the Budweiser Duel qualifying races for the Daytona 500 on Thursday evening. Earnhardt raced his way from the back of the first Duel field after failing post-qualifying inspection on Sunday along with Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. Earnhardt, who won the Daytona 500 last year, is in his first year with new crew chief Greg Ives and has carried over a surge of momentum from 2014. Meanwhile, Johnson is starting on the outside pole in Sunday's race next to teammate Jeff Gordon.