Rain causes 7-car wreck in Nationwide qualifying

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) A small rain shower caused a seven-car accident during Nationwide Series qualifying at Daytona International Speedway.

Team spotters and NASCAR officials seemingly didn't see the rain until after a group of cars drove through it during the first session of knockout qualifying. Mike Bliss lost control of his No. 19 Toyota coming out of turn two, and several cars in the tight-knit pack got caught up in the accident.

Eric McClure, Robert Richardson Jr., Scott Lagasse Jr., Ross Chastain, Benny Gordon and Joe Nemechek also were involved.

NASCAR canceled the final two qualifying sessions, setting the field for Friday night's Subway Firecracker 250 by speeds from the rain-shortened session.

Dakoda Armstrong won his first pole in 23 starts. Five drivers, including Gordon and veteran Bobby Gerhart, failed to qualify.