Tyler Reddick wins first Duel at Daytona, Jimmie Johnson makes the 500

In an exciting first Duel race at Daytona, it was Tyler Reddick with a great move to win, and Jimmie Johnson with a move of his own. These two Toyota drivers both made incredible moves to get the job done on NASCAR‘s biggest stage.

Tyler Reddick started P19 and finished P1. That is an impressive run. Jimmie Johnson just put the moves on JJ Yeley down the last front stretch and earned his way into the Daytona 500 like only Seven-Time could. And it came after taking damage in a wreck!

These Toyotas might just be worth something, folk. Reddick and Johnson are going to be the story of the first Duel at Daytona this week.

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

This Duel was a back-and-forth for most of the race. The Fords started quick, ten the Chevys started to come back. Finally, we saw a little action from Toyota. After the pit stops, all of that went out the window. It was everybody for themselves.

For Tyler Reddick to move up through the field as he did is impressive. He put on a great display at the end of that race and we will only be so lucky to get a finish like that in race two, let alone the Daytona 500.

The fact that Jimmie Johnson is in after all that went wrong from qualifying to the wreck in the Duels – he’s back in the Daytona 500 once again. This time, he had to earn it the hard way.

Tyler Reddick shows out in Duels

A fairly quiet race from Tyler Reddick, he didn’t come on until late. Again, the green flag stops as well as the wreck that collected four cars changed everything. It made this race wide open. When it felt like Kyle Larson would run away with it carrying Chase Elliott behind him, here comes the 45.

Reddick was lucky. He was almost caught up in his own wreck while trying to get to pit road. He made contact with Ty Gibbs and things about got bad. Instead, they both kept their cars straight and were able to finish the race.

Nothing ever goes how you think it will when you’re at Daytona. You can feel lost in the draft and struggling to make passes. Then, a moment happens and everything opens up for you. Reddick was in the right place at the right time.

The second race of the Duels is going to give us another 60 laps of excitement. Who will join Tyler Reddick as a winner tonight?