The 38-year-old Almirola from Tampa, Florida, led 17 of 60 laps, including the final two to claim a second row starting spot for the Great American Race with his second career Duel win.
The reigning two-time Cup Series champion from Middletown, Connecticut, led the final 29 laps and edged Bell in a photo finish to win the first of two Duel events at Daytona.
NASCAR’S 75th season officially kicks off this week at Daytona International Speedway. Country music recording artist Dierks Bentley will provide the entertainment Sunday afternoon prior to the running of the historic 65th Daytona 500.
The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series will head back to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, with the doubleheader event featuring the opening race of the 2024 playoffs for NASCAR’s premier series with Sunday’s Quaker State 400.