The 2026 Daytona 500 qualifying results have become one of the most anticipated parts of NASCAR’s Speedweeks, with drivers fighting not just for speed but for position and momentum as the season gets underway at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This week’s single-car qualifying session and the follow-on Duel races are shaping up to determine the full lineup for the 68th running of NASCAR’s crown jewel event. Early action has already given fans a taste of who might thrive when the green flag drops on Sunday. Click below to explore the latest from the track and what it all means for the field and fans.
Get the lineup details and expert analysis as qualifying wraps up tonight!
What Happened in Practice Before Qualifying
Teams and drivers took to the 2.5-mile high-banked oval on Wednesday for practice ahead of the qualifying session. Austin Cindric posted the fastest lap in the session with a blistering 48.025-second lap around the superspeedway, showing speed that could translate well into the qualifying format. Ross Chastain and Corey LaJoie also put in strong laps, indicating a competitive field spread across veteran stars and new contenders alike. These practice efforts give a snapshot of potential speed when the real qualifying runs are made later tonight.
How the Daytona 500 Qualifying System Works
Unlike typical NASCAR races where group qualifying might be used, the Daytona 500 field is determined through a unique combination of timed laps and Duel races. Here’s how the process unfolds this week:
- Single-Car Qualifying: All 45 entered cars will run individual timed laps Wednesday night. The fastest 10 from this round will advance to a final round.
- Front Row Lock-In: The top two fastest drivers after the final round will earn the coveted front row for the Daytona 500.
- Duel Races For the Field: Thursday night’s America 250 Florida Duel races will use the results of Wednesday’s qualifying runs to set their starting grids. The finishing order in the Duels determines most of the rest of the Daytona 500 lineup.
- Open Teams Fight for Spots: In addition to the 36 chartered teams with guaranteed entries, the single-car qualifying results and Duel finishes will decide which open entries make the final 41-car field.
This multi-step system ensures speed matters, but race craft and strategy in the Duels are also critical factors in shaping the final starting lineup.
Drivers to Watch in Qualifying
Several top competitors have been in the spotlight during practice and are expected to battle for top qualifying positions:
- Austin Cindric: His practice speed shows the Team Penske driver could be a serious contender in one-lap qualifying.
- Ross Chastain: A consistent performer in practice, Chastain’s speed could carry him into the final rounds of qualifying.
- Corey LaJoie: Another driver showing early speed, LaJoie’s run could put him in a great position before the Duel races.
Watch for these drivers to push hard in the timed laps, but remember that anything can happen at Daytona thanks to the nature of restrictor-plate racing and drafting.
What’s at Stake With the Daytona 500 Qualifying Results
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 isn’t just about starting position — it can affect strategy and confidence as drivers head into one of NASCAR’s longest and most grueling races:
- Front Row Advantage: Starting on the front row can help avoid early traffic and incidents that commonly occur deeper in the pack.
- Duel Momentum: Drivers who post fast qualifying times often carry that confidence into Thursday’s Duel races, where finishing well can secure stronger lineup spots.
- Open Team Entry Battles: For non-chartered teams, every lap in qualifying is essentially a battle for their NASCAR season. Locking into the Daytona 500 means exposure and opportunity they might not otherwise get.
Fan Experience and Coverage
Fans at Daytona and around the country have plenty of ways to follow all of the action this week:
- TV Coverage: Qualifying airs live on FS1 Wednesday night, starting at 8:15 p.m. ET.
- Duel Races: The America 250 Duels air Thursday evening on FS1, with the first Duel at 7 p.m. ET and the second following later.
- Practice Insights and Track Data: Early practice times and in-car telemetry give enthusiasts an edge in predicting how qualifying and Duels might play out.
Trackside events, driver autograph sessions, and fan zones throughout Speedweeks add to the energy leading up to Sunday’s race.
What’s Next After Qualifying
Once qualifying is complete and the Duels decide the rest of the grid, teams will fine-tune their cars in additional practice sessions ahead of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15. Weather, drafting practice, and pit strategy rehearsals will all be important as teams prepare for 200 laps of high-speed racing.
With the qualifying results in hand and starting positions finalized, all eyes will turn to the “Great American Race,” where legends are made and NASCAR history is rewritten.
We want to hear from you — share your thoughts on who you think will score a top starting spot and make noise in the Daytona 500!