What’s Happening?

It’s Daytona cutline day, and with two open cars locked into the 2026 Daytona 500, six drivers will compete for the final two open spots in tonight’s two 150-mile duel races.

Who Has Already Locked Themselves Into the 500?

Yesterday, 45 cars took to the track to practice and qualify for the 68th running of the Daytona 500. Per the usual, with the traditional 40 starting spots in the race, a handful of drivers entered this weekend knowing they would not make the race.

The bulk of the 45 entries, 36 in total, know that they will race in Sunday’s 500-mile feature, as they race with one of NASCAR’s 36 Charters, which guarantees their entry into all 36 races across the season.

The other nine entries are considered “open” or non-chartered, meaning if they aren’t fast enough, they could face a long drive home following Thursday night 150 nile 150-mile races.

One of the nine open entries is safe, however, as Jimmie Johnson and his Legacy Motor Club No. 84 team are using the OEP, Open Exemption Provisional, which, with NASCAR permission, allows a world-class racing driver automatic entry into a NASCAR Cup Series race, though they format all winnings and points in doing so.

While Johnson is technically non-chartered, his OEP status expands the field to 41 cars, leaving the final eight open entries to race for four total spots.

2026 Non-OEP Open Entries:

• No. 36 – Chandler Smith – Front Row Motorsports
• No. 40 – Justin Allgaier – JR Motorsports
• No. 44 – J.J. Yeley – NY Racing Team
• No. 62 – Anthony Alfredo – Beard Motorsports
• No. 66 – Casey Mears – Garage 66
• No. 67 – Corey Heim – 23XI Racing
• No. 78 – B.J. McLeod – Live Fast Motorsports
• No. 99 – Corey LaJoie – RFK Racing

Last night, the two fastest open cars in single lap qualifying, the No. 67 of Corey Heim and the No. 40 of Justin Allgaier, locked themselves into the 500 based solely on speed, meaning the field of eight is cut down to six drivers racing for four spots.

So, What’s Next?

Thursday, NASCAR will divide the six remaining open drivers into two 150-mile qualifying races, with fields of 23 and 22 drivers, respectively.

These two races will set the field for the 500 from row two through row 21, but more importantly, they will determine which open drivers make the race.

Duel Lineups

Duel 1

Duel 2

How Many Can Get In and How Many Spots Are Left?

In the past, these races could have had many storylines going into them, based on who finished where in what race. In 2026, however, NASCAR simplified its rules, determining that the highest-finish open driver in each duel will be awarded one of the final two open slots in the Daytona 500.

The green flag for Duel one is set to drop at 7:00 PM ET, and will see three open drivers competing for an open spot.

Duel One Open Entries:

• No. 36 – Chandler Smith – Front Row Motorsports
• No. 66 – Casey Mears – Garage 66
• No. 99 – Corey LaJoie – RFK Racing

The green flag for Duel two is expected to drop at around 8:45 PM ET, and will see the other three open drivers competing for its open spot.

Duel Two Open Entries:

• No. 44 – J.J. Yeley – NY Racing Team
• No. 62 – Anthony Alfredo – Beard Motorsports
• No. 78 – B.J. McLeod – Live Fast Motorsports

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