What You Need to Know Heading into the Duels at Daytona

What’s Happening?

Last night, the NASCAR Cup Series kicked off Daytona Speedweeks with front row qualifying for the Daytona 500. In Wednesday night’s time trials, we set the pole and outside pole positions. Additionally, two drivers locked their way into the 68th running of the Daytona 500 last night based on speed, and one driver locked in via the Open Exemption rule. That left thirty-five more spots up for grabs for forty cars. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s Duels at Daytona.

One night. Double the racing. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/uWGHlsoFtw

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 12, 2026

Duel 1 Starting Lineup

Duel 2 Starting Lineup

• Last night, we set the front row for the 68th running of the Daytona 500, and the same drivers were consistently fast in both qualifying sessions. These drivers can play it a little safter than others tonight as they have clinched their starting spots. Leading the field to the green on Sunday are Kyle Busch (No. 8) and Chase Briscoe (No. 19). This marks Busch’s first Daytona 500 pole and only his second superspeedway pole of his career. Chase Briscoe sat on the pole of last year’s race.
• While their starting positions may not yet be set, two drivers managed to qualify for the Daytona 500 on speed. The two fastest Open car drivers automatically advanced to the 500. Those drivers were Corey Heim (No. 67, 23XI Racing) and Justin Allgaier (No. 40, JR Motorsports). This will mark Heim’s first Daytona 500 start, and Justin Allgaier managed to race his way into the Great American Race last year in the duels.
• Jimmie Johnson (No. 84, Legacy Motor Club) also clinched a berth in the 68th Daytona 500. This is due to the Open Exemption rule. With this rule, Johnson will forfeit any potential purse money and points and is locked and loaded to start the 2026 Daytona 500 in the 41st provisional spot, regardless of his finishing position tonight. He is a two-time champion of the Daytona 500. After a third-place run last year, he’ll be going for his third Daytona 500 trophy.
• That leaves just two spots up for grabs tonight, one in each duel. Trying to race their way in tonight are Corey LaJoie (No. 99, RFK Racing), Anthony Alfredo (No. 62, Beard Motorsports), Chandler Smith (No. 36, Front Row Motorsports), B. J. McLeod (No. 78, Live Fast Motorsports), Casey Mears (No. 66, Garage 66), and J. J. Yeley (No. 44, NY Racing). Only two of these hopefuls will advance, while the remaining six will head to the house. Of them, LaJoie showed the most speed in single-car time trials.
• The Duel Races are the first real test for drivers heading into the 2026 season. There are always a lot of unknowns heading into a new season, and this is the first time drivers will get to see how their cars handle in a big pack. There’ll be a lot to learn tonight for drivers, teams, and fans alike.

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