<P> In 2014, NASCAR adopted, starting with the second race of the year in Phoenix, a Formula One - style knockout qualifying system . After tweaking it in the 2014 GEICO 500 at Talladega, the format became three five - minute rounds, with the first round being split as two five - minute rounds with half the field in each round . As is the case for standard knockout qualifying, the top 24 advanced to the second round, and the top 12 advancing to the final round . This format was used at the Daytona 500 for the first time in 2015, but was soon abandoned for restrictor plate races after a series of incidents taking place during qualifying . </P> <P> Restrictor plate races eventually gets a new two - round qualifying format starting from the first Talladega race . In round 1, each car goes out one at a time for one warm - up, one timed, and one cool down lap . The order for the cars released was determined by a random draw . NASCAR will release the next car to begin their lap while the current car is finishing their timed lap with the goal to have the next car start their timed lap no more than 20 seconds after the previous car finishes . The top 12 cars from round 1 will make a second run in the same format to determine the starting lineup for positions 1--12, with the order of cars released are the invert of round 1 result (i.e. the 12th placed car will be released first). Positions 13th and below are determined by round 1 result . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Year of event </Th> <Th> Driver </Th> <Th> Car make </Th> <Th> Average speed </Th> <Th> Restrictor plate </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1959 </Td> <Td> Welborn, Bob Bob Welborn </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 140.121 mph (225.503 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below); Entire lineup set by Qualifying races </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1960 </Td> <Td> Owens, Cotton Cotton Owens </Td> <Td> Pontiac </Td> <Td> 149.892 mph (241.228 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1961 </Td> <Td> Roberts, Fireball Fireball Roberts </Td> <Td> 155.709 mph (250.589 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Qualifying race </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1962 </Td> <Td> 156.999 mph (252.665 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Qualifying race; won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1963 </Td> <Td> 160.943 mph (259.013 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1964 </Td> <Td> Goldsmith, Paul Paul Goldsmith </Td> <Td> Plymouth </Td> <Td> 174.910 mph (281.490 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Track record at time (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1965 </Td> <Td> Dieringer, Darel Darel Dieringer </Td> <Td> Mercury </Td> <Td> 171.151 mph (275.441 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Also won Qualifying race </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1966 </Td> <Td> Petty, Richard Richard Petty </Td> <Td> Plymouth </Td> <Td> 175.165 mph (281.901 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1967 </Td> <Td> Turner, Curtis Curtis Turner </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 180.831 mph (291.019 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1968 </Td> <Td> Yarborough, Cale Cale Yarborough </Td> <Td> Mercury </Td> <Td> 189.222 mph (304.523 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1969 </Td> <Td> Baker, Buddy Buddy Baker (1) </Td> <Td> Dodge </Td> <Td> 188.901 mph (304.007 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1970 </Td> <Td> Yarborough, Cale Cale Yarborough (2) </Td> <Td> Mercury </Td> <Td> 194.015 mph (312.237 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1971 </Td> <Td> Foyt, A.J. A.J. Foyt </Td> <Td> 182.744 mph (294.098 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1972 </Td> <Td> Isaac, Bobby Bobby Isaac </Td> <Td> Dodge </Td> <Td> 186.632 mph (300.355 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1973 </Td> <Td> Baker, Buddy Buddy Baker (2) </Td> <Td> 185.662 mph (298.794 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Pearson, David David Pearson </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 185.017 mph (297.756 km / h) First season of 5900cc engine formula (358 cubic inches). </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Allison, Donnie Donnie Allison (1) </Td> <Td> 185.827 mph (299.060 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1976 </Td> <Td> Stott, Ramo Ramo Stott </Td> <Td> 183.456 mph (295.244 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1977 </Td> <Td> Allison, Donnie Donnie Allison (2) </Td> <Td> 188.048 mph (302.634 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1978 </Td> <Td> Yarborough, Cale Cale Yarborough (3) </Td> <Td> Oldsmobile </Td> <Td> 187.536 mph (301.810 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1979 </Td> <Td> Baker, Buddy Buddy Baker (4) </Td> <Td> 196.049 mph (315.510 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1980 </Td> <Td> 194.099 mph (312.372 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below); Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1981 </Td> <Td> Allison, Bobby Bobby Allison </Td> <Td> Pontiac </Td> <Td> 194.624 mph (313.217 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1982 </Td> <Td> Parsons, Benny Benny Parsons </Td> <Td> 196.317 mph (315.942 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Rudd, Ricky Ricky Rudd </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 198.864 mph (320.041 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1984 </Td> <Td> Yarborough, Cale Cale Yarborough (4) </Td> <Td> 201.848 mph (324.843 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1985 </Td> <Td> Elliott, Bill Bill Elliott </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 205.114 mph (330.099 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1986 </Td> <Td> 205.039 mph (329.978 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 210.364 mph (338.548 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> All - time track record; Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1988 </Td> <Td> Schrader, Ken Ken Schrader </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 193.823 mph (311.928 km / h) </Td> <Td> 1.000 1 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1989 </Td> <Td> 196.996 mph (317.034 km / h) </Td> <Td> 1.000 1 inch plate </Td> <Td> Also won first qualifying race </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1990 </Td> <Td> 196.515 mph (316.260 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.9375 15 / 16 inch plate </Td> <Td> Geoff Bodine started on pole (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1991 </Td> <Td> Allison, Davey Davey Allison </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 195.955 mph (315.359 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1992 </Td> <Td> Marlin, Sterling Sterling Marlin </Td> <Td> 192.213 mph (309.337 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1993 </Td> <Td> Petty, Kyle Kyle Petty </Td> <Td> Pontiac </Td> <Td> 189.426 mph (304.852 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1994 </Td> <Td> Allen, Jr., Loy Loy Allen, Jr . </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 190.158 mph (306.030 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> Allen was the first rookie pole winner </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1995 </Td> <Td> Jarrett, Dale Dale Jarrett (1) </Td> <Td> 196.498 mph (316.233 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Earnhardt, Dale Dale Earnhardt </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 189.510 mph (304.987 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate Compression ratio limit on engines established at 14: 1 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1997 </Td> <Td> Skinner, Mike Mike Skinner </Td> <Td> 189.813 mph (305.474 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1998 </Td> <Td> Labonte, Bobby Bobby Labonte </Td> <Td> Pontiac </Td> <Td> 192.415 mph (309.662 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate Compression ratio limit on engines reduced to 12: 1 . </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1999 </Td> <Td> Gordon, Jeff Jeff Gordon (1) </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 195.067 mph (313.930 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2000 </Td> <Td> Jarrett, Dale Dale Jarrett (2) </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 191.091 mph (307.531 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> Won Daytona 500 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2001 </Td> <Td> Elliott, Bill Bill Elliott (4) </Td> <Td> Dodge </Td> <Td> 183.565 mph (295.419 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.9375 15 / 16 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2002 </Td> <Td> Johnson, Jimmie Jimmie Johnson (1) </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 185.831 mph (299.066 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.9375 15 / 16 inch plate </Td> <Td> Johnson's rookie season, having run only three races in 2001 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2003 </Td> <Td> Green, Jeff Jeff Green </Td> <Td> 186.606 mph (300.313 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Biffle, Greg Greg Biffle </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 188.387 mph (303.179 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> Engine failed in final practice; Dale Earnhardt, Jr. started first and won race (see below) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2005 </Td> <Td> Jarrett, Dale Dale Jarrett (3) </Td> <Td> 188.312 mph (303.059 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.890625 57 / 64 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2006 </Td> <Td> Burton, Jeff Jeff Burton </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 189.151 mph (304.409 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.890625 57 / 64 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2007 </Td> <Td> Gilliland, David David Gilliland </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 186.320 mph (299.853 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.875 7 / 8 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2008 </Td> <Td> Johnson, Jimmie Jimmie Johnson (2) </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 187.075 mph (301.068 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.96875 31 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2009 </Td> <Td> Truex, Jr., Martin Martin Truex, Jr . </Td> <Td> 188.001 mph (302.558 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.96875 31 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Martin, Mark Mark Martin </Td> <Td> 191.188 mph (307.687 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.984375 63 / 64 inch plate </Td> <Td> Oldest Daytona 500 pole - sitter at age of 51 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2011 </Td> <Td> Earnhardt, Jr., Dale Dale Earnhardt, Jr . </Td> <Td> 186.089 mph (299.481 km / h) </Td> <Td> 0.90625 29 / 32 inch plate </Td> <Td> Crashed in Wednesday practice; Kurt Busch, who won the first Duel, started first . First race to use fuel injection system after engine formula changed . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2012 </Td> <Td> Edwards, Carl Carl Edwards </Td> <Td> Ford </Td> <Td> 194.738 mph (313.400 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2013 </Td> <Td> Patrick, Danica Danica Patrick </Td> <Td> Chevrolet </Td> <Td> 196.434 mph (316.130 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> First woman to win a pole in the Daytona 500 and first woman to win a pole in a Cup race . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2014 </Td> <Td> Dillon, Austin Austin Dillon </Td> <Td> 196.019 mph (315.462 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> First time the No. 3 car has gone to the pole in Daytona since 1996, and the first appearance for the No. 3 in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2001 . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2015 </Td> <Td> Gordon, Jeff Jeff Gordon (2) </Td> <Td> 201.293 mph (323.950 km / h) (Q3) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Not fastest qualifier; Three - round Formula One - style group knockout qualifying used . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2016 </Td> <Td> Elliott, Chase Chase Elliott </Td> <Td> 196.314 mph (315.937 km / h) (Q2) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> The youngest pole - sitter in 500 history at the age of 20 . Indianapolis 500 style two - round qualifying system used (all cars take one round, then top 12 cars take a second round for pole). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2017 </Td> <Td> Elliott, Chase Chase Elliott (2) </Td> <Td> 192.872 mph (310.397 km / h) (Q2) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Second consecutive pole for Elliott and third consecutive for crew chief Alan Gustafson . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2018 </Td> <Td> Bowman, Alex Alex Bowman </Td> <Td> 195.644 mph (314.858 km / h) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Year of event </Th> <Th> Driver </Th> <Th> Car make </Th> <Th> Average speed </Th> <Th> Restrictor plate </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Who's sitting on the pole for the daytona 500