The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race, has a unique and exciting qualifying format. Unlike traditional races where the starting lineup is determined solely by single-car qualifying or practice sessions, the Daytona 500 lineup is set through a combination of time trials and Duel qualifying races. These Duel races are crucial, as they finalize the starting order and allow some drivers to secure their spot in the main event.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the starting lineups for the two Daytona 500 Duel races, explaining how they are determined and what to expect from each event.
How Daytona 500 Qualifying Works
The qualifying process for the Daytona 500 is different from any other NASCAR Cup Series event. It involves two key stages:
1. Single-Car Qualifying
Drivers first participate in a time trial session where they complete a single lap around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. The two fastest drivers from this session lock in the front row starting positions for the Daytona 500.
2. Duel Qualifying Races
The remaining drivers are split into two 150-mile (60-lap) Duel races, which determine the starting order for the rest of the grid.
- Duel 1 decides the lineup for the inside row (odd-numbered positions).
- Duel 2 sets the outside row (even-numbered positions).
Additionally, the Duel races are critical for open (non-chartered) teams that do not have guaranteed entry into the Daytona 500. These drivers must either race their way in or rely on their qualifying times to secure a starting spot.
2025 Daytona 500 Front Row Qualifiers
For the 2025 Daytona 500, the front row was determined through single-car qualifying:
- Pole Position: Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Second Place: Austin Cindric (No. 2 Ford, Team Penske)
Briscoe’s pole position was notable as it marked Toyota’s first-ever Daytona 500 pole, showcasing the manufacturer’s strong presence in the Cup Series.
Starting Lineups for the Duel Races
Below are the expected starting lineups for the two Duel races based on qualifying results.
Duel 1 Starting Lineup (Inside Row for Daytona 500)
- Chase Briscoe (No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Ryan Preece (No. 60 Ford, RFK Racing)
- Josh Berry (No. 21 Ford, Wood Brothers Racing)
- Austin Dillon (No. 3 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing)
- Ty Dillon (No. 10 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing)
- Zane Smith (No. 38 Ford, Front Row Motorsports)
- Kyle Busch (No. 8 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing)
- Chase Elliott (No. 9 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports)
- Michael McDowell (No. 71 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports)
- AJ Allmendinger (No. 16 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing)
- William Byron (No. 24 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports)
- Todd Gilliland (No. 36 Ford, Front Row Motorsports)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (No. 47 Chevrolet, JTG Daugherty Racing)
- Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Kaz Grala (No. 15 Ford, Rick Ware Racing)
- Daniel Hemric (No. 31 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing)
- Jimmie Johnson (No. 84 Chevrolet, Legacy Motor Club)
Note: Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is racing in an open car and will need a strong Duel finish to make the Daytona 500 field.
Duel 2 Starting Lineup (Outside Row for Daytona 500)
- Austin Cindric (No. 2 Ford, Team Penske)
- Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Joey Logano (No. 22 Ford, Team Penske)
- Ross Chastain (No. 1 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing)
- Christopher Bell (No. 20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Brad Keselowski (No. 6 Ford, RFK Racing)
- Bubba Wallace (No. 23 Toyota, 23XI Racing)
- Tyler Reddick (No. 45 Toyota, 23XI Racing)
- Erik Jones (No. 43 Chevrolet, Legacy Motor Club)
- Noah Gragson (No. 42 Chevrolet, Legacy Motor Club)
- Harrison Burton (No. 21 Ford, Wood Brothers Racing)
- Justin Haley (No. 51 Ford, Rick Ware Racing)
- Corey LaJoie (No. 7 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports)
- David Ragan (No. 36 Ford, Front Row Motorsports)
- Austin Hill (No. 33 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing)
- JJ Yeley (No. 55 Ford, MBM Motorsports)
- BJ McLeod (No. 78 Chevrolet, Live Fast Motorsports)
Key Storylines to Watch in the Duel Races
1. Can Open Cars Secure Their Spot?
Several drivers in non-chartered cars must either race their way in or rely on qualifying times. Veterans like Jimmie Johnson and David Ragan will need strong performances to make the Daytona 500.
2. Manufacturer Battles
- Ford has historically dominated at Daytona but faces stiff competition from Toyota and Chevrolet.
- Toyota secured its first pole in Daytona 500 history, raising expectations for a strong performance.
3. Aggressive Racing & Drafting Strategies
- Daytona is a superspeedway, meaning drafting and teamwork will play a huge role in the Duel races.
- Expect teammates to work together to push each other to better starting positions.
4. Avoiding “The Big One”
- Daytona is notorious for multi-car wrecks, and aggressive racing in the Duel events could lead to crashes.
- Teams will aim to balance pushing for position while avoiding wrecks that could damage their primary cars.
Conclusion: Setting the Stage for the Daytona 500
The Duel qualifying races add an extra layer of excitement to the Daytona 500 by determining the final grid and allowing drivers to showcase their drafting skills. With an intriguing mix of veterans, rising stars, and open teams fighting for spots, these races promise intense action and drama.