Chase Elliott Becomes Youngest Daytona 500 Pole-Setter

Rookie Chase Elliott had the fastest lap (196.314 mph) in Sunday’s time trials to earn the pole position in next week’s Daytona 500 stock car race.

The 20-year-old is the youngest pole-sitter in the so-called Great American Race, which now is in its 58th year. He also is one of four father-son combinations to win poles for the event—his father Bill started first four times in Daytona and won the race twice (1985 and 1987).

The younger Elliott succeeds four-time Daytona champion and last year’s pole winner Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He’ll be joined on the front row this year by Matt Kenseth, who posted a speed of 196.036 mph in his Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.

The remaining starting positions for the other 42 drivers will be determined on Thursday.