In Saturday’s final Sprint Cup practice, Earnhardt went 197.131 mph around the 2.5-mile restrictor-plate track.

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Earnhardt has been fast throughout Speedweeks at the wheel of a racecar he dubbed Amelia. He has the best time in Feb. 13’s first practice session and won Thursday’s first Can-Am Duels race. That set him up to start third on Sunday, but he could move up to head of the field.

Matt Kenseth, second-fastest in Feb. 14’s qualifications, was forced to use a backup car after crashing on Thursday. As a result, he will start at the back of the 40-car field.

If fastest qualifier Chase Elliott chooses the top lane on Sunday, Junior will start front the first row. But if the rookie decides to take the bottom, Kyle Busch will start second, with Earnhardt rolling off third.

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Earnhardt is seeking his third Daytona 500 victory. Only five drivers have at least three: Richard Petty (seven), Cale Yarborough (four), Bobby Allison (three), Dale Jarrett (three) and Jeff Gordon (three). Junior finished third or better in the past four Daytona 500s. His four Daytona 500 runner-ups are the most among active drivers.

Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, and Wood Brothers Racing’s Ryan Blaney drafted together throughout the session, putting their Fords at the top of the leaderboard behind Earnhardt.

Logano was second-fastest in Saturday’s final practice (196.369 mph). Blaney came up third (196.288 mph) with Keselowski at 196.262 mph.

Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Kurt Busch (196.061 mph) and Kevin Harvick (196.014 mph) rounded out the top six, respectively.

Jimmie Johnson (18th in Saturday’s practice), Kenseth (21st) and Brian Scott (23rd) were making their final rounds in backup cars after crashing during Thursday’s Duels. Like Kenseth, they will start from the back of the field.

Only 25 of the 40 cars in Sunday’s field participated in Saturday’s final practice.

Saturday’s practice results (* — open car; # — rookie):

Position, car number, driver, speed 1. 88, Dale Earnhardt Jr., 197.131 2. 22, Joey Logano, 196.369 3. *21, Ryan Blaney #, 196.288 4. 2, Brad Keselowski, 196.262 5. 41, Kurt Busch, 196.061 6. 4, Kevin Harvick, 196.014 7. 16, Greg Biffle, 195.959 8. 24, Chase Elliott #, 195.839 9. 14, Brian Vickers, 195.814 10. 15, Clint Bowyer, 195.763 11. 38, Landon Cassill, 195.236 12. 7, Regan Smith, 195.135 13. 5, Kasey Kahne, 194.397 14. 23, David Ragan, 194.384 15. *26, Robert Richardson Jr., 194.342 16. 6, Trevor Bayne, 194.280 17. 46, Michael Annett, 194.221 18. 48, Jimmie Johnson, 193.719 19. 1, Jamie McMurray, 193.075 20. 95, Ty Dillon, 192.951 21. 20, Matt Kenseth, 192.806 22. 43, Aric Almirola, 192.201 23. 44, Brian Scott #, 192.160 24. 31, Ryan Newman, 191.111 25. 34, Chris Buescher #, 190.392