The crash has cleared, and all eyes are on Daytona.
So, what does the Daytona 500 lineup look like? It’s a bit complex—actually, quite complicated—but we’re here to break it down for you.
Related: Daytona 500 odds and insights
There will be 41 cars competing in the Daytona 500.
Out of those, 37 drivers have already secured their spots.
— Among the 36 charter drivers are AJ Allmendinger, Christopher Bell, Josh Berry, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Chase Brisco, Chris Buescher, Kyle Busch, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Cole Custer, Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, Chase Elliott, Ty Gibbs, Todd Gilliland, Noah G. Ragson, Denny Hamlin, Riley Herbst, Carson Josevar, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Michael McDowell, John Hunter Nemechek, Ryan Preece, Tyler Reddick, Zane Smith, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suarez, Shane Van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, Cody Ware, and Connor Girish.
— Jimmie Johnson, driving a non-charter (open) car, has guaranteed entry through the provisional open exemption system, which protects elite drivers who don’t compete full-time. By using this provisional—required to be declared before the race weekend starting last year—he will, however, forfeit all points and prize money.
There are eight open entries (note: the final entry list will be confirmed by Wednesday) competing for the remaining four spots. These drivers include Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Corey Haim, Corey Lajoie, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith, and JJ Yeley.
These four spots will be decided in Thursday’s 150-mile Duel races, where the highest-finishing open car in each Duel secures a place. The other two positions will go to the fastest remaining open drivers based on Wednesday’s single-car qualifying times.
Wednesday: Setting the front row
On Wednesday, drivers will participate in single-car, one-lap qualifying runs. The order of runs will be determined by a random draw, but the top 20 drivers based on 2025 owner points will occupy the final 20 positions in the lineup.
The fastest ten qualifiers will progress to a final round, where the pole position goes to the quickest car. The driver with the second-best time earns the outside front-row starting spot.
The two fastest open drivers are assured of their places in the Daytona 500 regardless of their Duel finishes, but if one of them wins the Duel among open cars, then the third and fourth fastest open drivers get a chance to prove their speed. The four slowest open drivers can only advance by being the highest finishing open car in their Duel.
Thursday: Duel Races
The remainder of the field beyond the front row is set through a pair of 150-mile Duel races.
The 45 cars are split almost evenly—23 in the first Duel and 22 in the second—based on Wednesday’s qualifying times.
The 36 charter teams, including Johnson, are divided between the two Duels, with odd-ranked qualifiers racing in the first Duel and even-ranked qualifiers in the second.
The eight open cars are also split, with the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th fastest open qualifiers in the first Duel and the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th in the second. Their starting positions depend on where their qualifying speeds place them relative to charter teams.
The Duel results determine the starting order for the Daytona 500 beyond the front row and which open cars make the race. The highest finishing open car in each Duel wins a spot.
The first Duel’s results fill the inside rows 2 through 20 for the Daytona 500, while the second Duel orders the outside rows 2 through 19.
The 40th and 41st places go to two open cars that didn’t win their Duel but advance based on qualifying speed.
Fan Take: This detailed qualifying procedure adds layers of strategy and excitement ahead of the Daytona 500, keeping fans on edge through multiple stages before race day. For NASCAR, it’s crucial as it balances tradition with competition, ensuring top talent makes the field while giving underdogs a real shot at the most prestigious race.
