NASCAR’s 2025 Daytona 500: TV Schedule, Entry Lists, Race Info, and More
What’s Happening? The 67th Daytona 500 and annual speed weeks take place from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16. With all three…
The annual Duels at Daytona take place Thursday; these 150-mile qualifiers are unlike anything else in NASCAR. So what do you need to know about them, and why does NASCAR take a rather bizarre route to setting the field for its biggest race?
What’s Happening? The 67th Daytona 500 and annual speed weeks take place from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16. With all three…
The Daytona Duels set the field for the Daytona 500. The only drivers entering the race locked into their spots are the front-row qualifiers, who are assigned to each duel. Every other driver will race for their starting position in Sunday’s Daytona 500.
While not necessary in the Charter era of NASCAR, these races also eliminate select “open” or unchartered entries from entering the Daytona 500. NASCAR fields are limited to 40 cars unless a new provisional is used; often, more than four unchartered cars arrive at Daytona, meaning NASCAR will send several cars home.
It’s hard to imagine risking your race car in the duels, as these races often have accidents. However, there are benefits to racing in them. These races may not seem necessary for those already in the race, but they give drivers a real chance to get a feel for their car in the draft.
For drivers pursuing a championship, the top ten finishers of the duels are awarded regular season points; the winner receives ten and drops by one-point intervals.
As previously stated, the 36 chartered teams are in the Daytona 500 no matter what. However, in 2025, nine open cars will fight for four positions.
Of these open cars, Hélio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 Champion, is in the race even if he is slow in qualifying, finishes poorly in his duel, or wrecks in his duel. This entry is thanks to NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional, which allows top part-time drivers, both from NASCAR and internationally, to automatically enter points races with approval from NASCAR.
This OEP will expand the field to 41 cars only if Castroneves finishes outside the top 40 on speed or fails to qualify in his duel race. However, the two fastest open drivers in Wednesday night’s qualifying automatically qualify for the race despite their finishing position in the duel.
This automatic qualification means that only two spots will be up for grabs in these duel races. The uneven number of drivers will split into four in one duel and five in the other. The highest finishing open car from each duel makes the 500.
These races are intense, not for who wins, but rather for who finishes highest among the open cars. Last year, J.J. Yeley and underdog NY Racing almost eliminated Seven-Time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson.
What’s Happening? One of the best parts of the Daytona 500 is the open entries. These open or unchartered cars face…
1. What Happens to the Drivers Who Don’t Qualify?
2. What Happens if the Duels Are Rained Out?
What’s Happening? The Daytona 500 is the pinnacle of the NASCAR season. Opening up the season with such an important event,…
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