DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jimmie Johnson raced his way into the Daytona 500 with a three-wide move through the final turn in the first qualifying race Thursday night. But the Toyota's lacked speed Wednesday night in time trials and Johnson failed to earn a guaranteed spot in what will be his 21st Daytona 500. It meant that he had to beat J.J. Yeley in the first of two qualifying races Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway. Ross Chastain than checked up in traffic and Yeley dipped into an outside line to try to get around Chastain. With the push from Truex, Johnson slid into the center lane behind Chastain and the trio sailed past Yeley to the finish line.

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Persons: — Jimmie Johnson, Tyler Reddick, ” Johnson, He's, Johnson, J.J, “ I’ve, that’s, “, Martin Truex Jr, Ross Chastain, Chastain, ” Yeley, Truex Organizations: DAYTONA, 23XI Racing, NASCAR, of Fame, Legacy Motor, Chevrolet, Toyota, Daytona, Truex Locations: Fla, Yeley, Chastain