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Daniel Suarez eligible to compete in the Clash at Daytona

NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300

KANSAS CITY, KS - OCTOBER 15: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, looks on prior to the NASCAR XFINITY Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway on October 15, 2016 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)

Getty Images

NASCAR has confirmed that Daniel Suarez is eligible to compete in the Advanced Auto Parts Clash on Feb. 18 at Daytona International Speedway.

Suarez is the replacement for Carl Edwards in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19. He is eligible for the 75-lap exhibition race due to NASCAR citing the unique situation of JGR having prepared a car with sponsorship prior to Edwards’ surprise departure from the sport.

Edwards had qualified for the race through his career best six poles in 2016.

Clint Bowyer, who is replacing Tony Stewart in the No. 14, is not eligible for the event due to Stewart-Haas Racing knowing about Stewart’s retirement ahead of time and not preparing a car.

In December, Hendrick Motorsports announced Alex Bowman would drive the No. 88 in the Clash after he won the pole for the fall race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Greg Biffle is eligible for the event, but does not have a ride announced for 2017.

Drivers can become eligible for the Clash in four ways:

Winning a pole the previous season, being a previous Clash winner, being a past Daytona 500 pole-winner and qualifying for the previous season’s Chase.

Here are the drivers eligible for this year’s Clash.

2016 Coors Light Pole Awards winners (14)
Greg Biffle, Alex Bowman, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Carl Edwards (Daniel Suarez), Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.

Former Clash Race Winners (2)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart (retired)

Former Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Award winners (1)
Danica Patrick

2016 Chase drivers (3)
Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray

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