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Where is Your Favorite Driver Starting in the 68th Daytona 500?

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Castrol Ford, race during Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Cody Williams

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

With time trials Wednesday night in the books and the front row for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 set, it was time to decide where everyone else would roll off for Sunday’s Great American Race at the World Center of Racing. On Thursday evening, the NASCAR Cup Series took to the track for the first official race of 2026 Daytona Speedweeks. These always thrilling races were packed with triumph and heartbreak. Here’s everything you need to know coming out of the Daytona Duels.


UPDATE February 12, 11:30 EST: Alfredo’s Finish Disallowed, McLeod in 500

Anthony Alfredo and Beard Motorsports will not be in the 2026 Daytona 500 after failing post-duel inspection. In his place, B.J. McLeod’s No. 78 will start as the final open car in the 41-car field. An updated entry list is featured below.

2026 Daytona 500 Starting Grid

  • The RFK cars set the race pace for the first two-thirds of Duel 1. 2026 Cookout Clash winner, Ryan Preece, dominated the opening laps of the first duel, leading the way all the way until an ill-fated round of green flag pit stops. Fords continued to hold strong, though, in the wild closing laps with Joey Logano scoring his fourth career Duel win. He will roll off on Sunday in the 3rd position. His teammate, Ryan Blaney, finished right behind and will start the 500 in 5th.
  • Similar to the first duel, Chase Briscoe dominated the opening laps of Duel 2 only for a pit road mishap to torpedo his chances. In the end, Chase Elliott was able to hold off his teammate Kyle Larson and the Spire duo of Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell to win the race. It was Elliott’s second Duel victory. Elliott will start 4th on Sunday, Hocevar 6th, Larson 8th, and McDowell will roll off in 10th.
  • Prior to tonight’s twin races, three open cars had already locked their way into Sunday’s Great American Race. Both Corey Heim (No. 67, 23XI Racing) and Justin Allgaier (No. 40, JR Motorsports) locked in based on speed in their time trials on Wednesday night. Based on tonight’s Duel finishes, they’ll be starting in the 29th and 40th positions, respectively. Additionally, 2-time Daytona 500 champion and NASCAR Hall-of-Famer, Jimmie Johnson (No. 84, Legacy Motor Club), is locked in via the Open Exemption Provisional. He’ll roll off in the 31st position. Two other drivers managed to race their way into the main event in tonight’s Duel races. They were veteran Casey Mears (No. 66, Garage 66, starting 17th) and Anthony Alfredo (No. 62, Beard Motorsports, starting 38th).
  • From Duel 1, two drivers missed the cut. Ironically, they were the two who were the farthest up front of the three. Chandler Smith (No. 36, Front Row Motorsports) saw his chances end when he was shuffled back late. And Corey LaJoie (No. 99, RFK Racing), who was caught up in the last lap crash that ended the race officially under caution. In Duel 2, the drivers left on the cutting room floor were B. J. McLeod (No. 78, Live Fast) and J. J. Yeley (No. 44, NY Motorsports).
  • The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is looking to be a real thriller, as there were several camps that looked good tonight. Predictably, the Hendrick cars, JGR/23XI, and Ford in general showed a ton of speed. Other top finishers and their starting positions on Sunday include Christopher Bell (12th), Denny Hamlin (22nd), Bubba Wallace (27th), and William Byron (39th).

Duel 1 Race Results

Duel 2 Race Results

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