By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Despite running in the first Gander RV Duel, Ryan Truex waited until the checkered flag flew in the second duel to find out that he was one of two cars to miss the 61st running of the Daytona 500.
In the duel, Truex had to beat the No. 96 of Parker Kligerman in order to race his way into the Daytona 500 as Tyler Reddick was already locked into The Great American Race on speed.
In the closing laps, all three drivers were running together on the track; however, Kligerman received help from Toyota Racing teammate Kyle Busch. When that happened, Truex knew his chances were done.
“All three of us were on our own with no help,” Truex said. “I knew the 18 was going to push the Toyota. I tried to drag him back. We had a windshield brace break, so my car was draggy. Once the 18 cleared me and got to the 96, there was not much I could do to help the 31. Unfortunately, it was too late.”
Emotionally Truex knows the feeling of not making the Daytona 500.
“I missed one before so I know how it feels. I have more opportunities this year to go out and prove I can win races. This sucks, but I will move on from it,” he said.
Truex finished 14th in his duel, missing the race by only two spots.