Alex Bowman wins pole for Daytona 500

Alex Bowman will lead the field to the green flag in the 63rd annual Daytona 500.

Bowman posted a lap of 47.026-second lap time at Daytona International Speedway Wednesday night, securing his third career pole and second in the Daytona 500.

“It doesn’t really have to do a whole lot with me, it has to do with these guys,” Bowman said of his team. “Just really proud of all our partners at Hendrick.”

William Byron qualified second with a lap time of 47.314 seconds.

Bubba Wallace, who led the field in the only practice session Wednesday, qualified fourth.

Last year’s polesitter, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., qualified fifth-fastest.

Denny Hamlin, winner of the last two Daytona 500’s, qualified 12th fastest.

The rest of the field will be set with the two 125-mile duel races Thursday night.

The 63rd installment of “The Great American Race” is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 14 and will be televised on FOX.