DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Michael McDowell has opened the first Daytona 500 practice session with a top speed of 192.736 mph, the first time NASCAR showed off its new car at the track ahead of Sunday’s sold-out race.
McDowell was last season’s stunning winner who beat 100-1 odds to become Daytona 500 champion. He helped Ford sweep the top five spots Tuesday in a draft-heavy session at Daytona International Speedway.
The stakes are raised Wednesday night for qualifying.
