The Daytona 500 is off to a thrilling start, and the qualifying results have everyone on the edge of their seats! But who secured the top spots in this iconic race? Hold onto your hats, racing fans!
On the evening of February 12, 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series drivers took to the track for the nail-biting Duel qualifiers, a 150-mile sprint to the finish. In a dramatic turn of events, Joey Logano claimed victory in the first Duel after a late caution flag, while Chase Elliott secured the win in the second. These two racing powerhouses will line up behind Kyle Busch, who set the pace on Wednesday, and his runner-up, Chase Briscoe, in the highly anticipated Great American Race on Sunday.
Logano, a seasoned veteran, added another feather to his cap with this win, marking his fourth Duel victory in his illustrious career. He dominated the race, leading for 15 laps. Meanwhile, Elliott showcased his prowess by leading for nine laps en route to his third Duel triumph.
But here's where it gets interesting: Casey Mears and BJ McLeod also secured their spots in the Daytona 500 as open entries, adding to the excitement of the upcoming race. The first Duel determined the starting order for the inside lane, while the second set the order for the outside lane.
The finishing order for the first Duel:
1. Joey Logano, No. 22
2. Ryan Blaney, No. 12
3. Austin Dillon, No. 3
...
23. Chris Buescher, No. 17
And the second Duel's results:
1. Chase Elliott, No. 9
2. Carson Hocevar, No. 77
3. Kyle Larson, No. 5
...
22. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 (disqualified)
As the dust settles on this exciting qualifying round, one question remains: Can anyone stop Logano and Elliott from dominating the Daytona 500? Share your predictions in the comments below, and let the racing debates begin!
