Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, recently hosted its qualifying duels ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500. Normally, NASCAR drivers are left puzzled by opponents’ drafting moves after races on superspeedways, but after Thursday’s duels, many were baffled by how difficult it was to control their cars during the two 150-mile races. The first duel was claimed by Joey Logano, while Chase Elliott triumphed in the second, officially setting the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Logano noted in the post-race press conference that the Daytona 500 often turns into a chaotic event. He explained that the duels act like heat races where everyone tries to avoid wrecking but still needs to perform at their best. He sympathized with drivers who didn’t make it, expressing worry for those who missed the cut.
Casey Mears secured the final spot from the first duel, and BJ McLeod earned the last place from the second. McLeod’s path was unusual because Anthony Alfredo, who dominated his duel, was disqualified post-race for failing inspection due to improperly secured hoses in his car. NASCAR officials clarified that both a transaxle cooling hose and a driver comfort hose were not installed correctly, a violation that led to Alfredo’s automatic disqualification, though the team may appeal.
Mears seemed unlikely to make the cut until the last lap when a comeback helped him fend off competitors despite sustaining damage. Reflecting on his performance, Mears said he was thankful for the chance to compete and capitalized on the opportunity when it arose.
Meanwhile, Corey LaJoie was left feeling crushed, having thought he qualified after running near the front but ultimately missing out. Daniel Suarez’s attempt to make the Daytona 500 ended prematurely following a crash caused by a chain reaction involving Shane van Gisbergen, which impacted Rajoy’s car.
Experience proved crucial, with both Logano—a former Daytona 500 winner and multiple Cup Series champion—and Elliott, a seasoned racer with several draft-track wins, prevailing in their duels. Elliott credited Carson Josevar’s strong push during the race as key to maintaining control and securing victory.
The first duel featured numerous wrecks, and Logano remarked that having the entire field so tightly packed led to chaos on the track. While the second duel had fewer crashes, drivers still felt the cars were difficult to handle. Chase Briscoe noted that the new generation cars seemed more prone to going out of control than ever before, making the races particularly challenging.
Looking ahead, teams have two practice sessions scheduled before the big race, but some might skip Saturday’s practice to avoid risks. Due to crashes in the duels, at least three teams, including those of two-time Daytona 500 winner William Byron, Chris Buescher, Daniel Suarez, and Ross Chastain, plan to switch to backup cars. Byron expressed disappointment over this setback, though he remained hopeful based on past success using a backup car.
Fan Take:
This intense and unpredictable qualifying showdown highlights just how thrilling and perilous superspeedway racing can be, underscoring the skill and strategy needed to succeed at Daytona. For NASCAR fans, it promises an electrifying Daytona 500 filled with seasoned veterans battling high stakes and high speeds, adding to the drama and excitement of one of the sport’s most iconic events.
