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The NASCAR America 250 Florida Duel races at Daytona International Speedway tonight will decide the starting grid for the 2026 Daytona 500, scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15.

Front‑row qualifiers lead the Duels

Kyle Busch (car 8) and Chase Briscoe (car 19) earned the pole positions in Wednesday’s single‑car qualifying and now sit at the front of the field in Duel 1 and Duel 2 respectively. William Byron is also in the mix, chasing a third straight Daytona 500 victory.

Duels in progress

In Duel 2, Chase Briscoe has dominated, leading every lap of the first half while Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson trail him. Each car will need to make one pit stop before the 60‑lap race ends.

In Duel 1, Joey Logano captured the win after a late‑race caution. Ryan Blaney finished second, Austin Dillon third, John Hunter Nemechek fourth and Brad Keselowski fifth.

Crashes shape the outcome

A multicar wreck near the end of Duel 1 involved Bubba Wallace, Chris Buescher, William Byron and Chandler Smith after Wallace was rear‑ended by Austin Dillon. The incident left two laps remaining under caution.

Later, Casey Mears and Noah Gragson collided on pit road with less than 20 laps to go, prompting another caution.

Did You Know? The two 60‑lap, 150‑mile Duel races set the inside row (Duel 1) and the outside row (Duel 2) for the Daytona 500 starting grid.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Briscoe’s control of Duel 2 gives his team a strategic advantage, as a front‑row start can dictate early race pace and reduce exposure to the “big one” crashes that often unfold in the pack. Conversely, Logano’s overtime win in Duel 1 underscores how late‑race cautions can reshuffle positions and affect points earned for the regular season.

Implications for Sunday’s race

The finishing order of each Duel determines the inside and outside drivers for every row in the Daytona 500, and the top ten finishers in each Duel earn regular‑season points. Drivers who survive the late‑race incidents will start deeper in the field, potentially influencing their race strategy.

Looking ahead

Analysts expect that the front‑row starters—Busch, Briscoe, Logano and others—may dictate the early tempo of the Daytona 500, while those who endured the crashes could face traffic challenges. Pit strategy and caution timing will likely remain critical factors as the race unfolds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the Duel lineups determined?

Drivers who qualify in odd‑numbered positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) form the Duel 1 lineup, while those in even‑numbered positions (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) make up Duel 2.

How do the Duels set the Daytona 500 starting grid?

The finishing order of Duel 1 sets the inside driver for each row, and the finishing order of Duel 2 sets the outside driver for each row in the Daytona 500. The top ten finishers in each Duel also receive regular‑season points.

What happens if a driver crashes during a Duel?

A crash that brings out a caution can end the race under yellow, as happened when Corey LaJoie’s wreck on the final lap of Duel 1 prevented him from qualifying for the Daytona 500, while allowing Casey Mears to secure a spot.

Which driver’s performance in the Duels do you think will have the biggest impact on the Daytona 500 lineup?