DAYTONA BEACH, Fla – It took less than two hours to race 120 laps in Thursday night’s Gander RV Duels in Daytona. The two twin 150 mile qualifying races for Sunday’s 61st annual Daytona 500 (2:30 p.m. ET/FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) were about as clean as they could go.

Combined, we saw just one caution and just one pass for the lead.

That’s a big story in itself.

Here are the top takeaways from both Duels.

Ho Hum Racing

Is this how Sunday’s Daytona 500 is going to look? The Clash last Sunday saw no passes for the lead other than Jimmie Johnson crashing Paul Menard on the backstretch on Lap 55 of the rain shortened event.

The Duels on Thursday night saw one pass for the lead combined.

While there were six lead changes on the night, five of which occurred during pit sequences. The only pass for the lead came at a crucial time too when Joey Logano made a very calculated move to go from third to first on the final lap of the second Duel.

Other than that, both races were full on 21 drivers going to the top and riding the high line around the 2.5-mile oval. The reason is because the teams figured out how to massage their cars to where you really can’t get a big side draft on the left side anymore. Then, the high line can pack enough RPM’s to not allow the low line to get any runs. Plus, you can get a natural side draft off the SAFER barrier to bolster the momentum even more.

So, for a majority of both races on Thursday, we saw a high speed parade around the top of the banking at Daytona.

One caution, one pass of the lead.

Ford’s Dominate

Paul Menard, a Ford driver, led 52 of 59 laps in Sunday’s Clash. The Ford’s were by far the top manufacturer in that race. In Thursday night’s Duels, Ford’s dominated even more.

Combined, they led 86 of the 120 laps.

Kevin Harvick took the lead after the first pit sequence in the opening Duel and never looked back. He led the final 44 laps en route to the win.

In the second Duel, Clint Bowyer inherited the lead after the first pit sequence ended and would led the next 39 laps. Unfortunately for him, Logano passed him for the win. Logano though, is a Ford driver too.

Ford’s took the top three finishing positions in each Duel and will have six cars start in the first 4 Rows on Sunday.

They’ve won 13 of the last 18 points paying restrictor plate races and look as good now as they ever have.

Time To Change The Duels?

The Duels used to race in the day. It only made sense since the Daytona 500 runs in the day. So, if you’re going to set the field for the ‘500 by qualifying races, it’s only fair to do so in similar conditions.

But, a few years ago the Duels were moved to a primetime start – under the lights. It was a made for TV event. Fox Sports were hoping for higher ratings with this move.

Well, the anticipation is high, but racing isn’t working.

The races have been ho-hum with a ton of single file action in drivers not wanting to wreck their ‘500 cars. By virtue of that as well as extra added grip by running at night, it’s a high speed follow the leader parade.

After one lead change for the top spot with a natural pass and only one caution, is it time to make changes?

I vote to move the races back to the day and shorten them back to 125 miles in length again.

The day time races could be hotter which makes the track slicker. That in turn creates better racing. Then, shorten them back again.

Drivers are gaming the system. The only reason it was extended to 150 miles in the first place is because the teams figured out how to make it all 125 miles without pitting. Now though, teams are pitting within 12 laps at the beginning of the Duels and knowing that they can make it to the end of the race easily. They’re not even taking tires for crying out loud.

Well, lets make it a true sprint race again. No pit stops and going all out may create tighter racing. That combined with a day time event will make this race relevant again.

2018’s Best Shine Still

No one won as many races at Kevin Harvick in 2018. The 2018 champion though was Joey Logano. After two races on Thursday night, both were celebrating in victory lane.

Harvick, led the final 44 laps in Thursday night’s first Duel. Logano, made a bold pass on Clint Bowyer on the final lap in his Duel for the thrilling victory.

Is it a surprise the top two drivers in 2018 for the season are in victory lane this early in 2019?