The took to Daytona Worldwide Speedway on Wednesday night time, and we now have a set subject for the Duels post-qualifying. Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing personal the 1-2 honors on the entrance row. The producers discover themselves very unfold out with 4 Chevrolets, three Fords, and three Toyotas within the high 10.
Beneath, the open vehicles battled it out, and a few anticipated names earned their method in. Right here is how qualifying performed out throughout the 45-car subject.
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Kevin Harvick famous that is “probably the most combined up he is ever seen it.” We needs to be in for a implausible set of Duels on Thursday.
The Entrance Row
The ultimate spherical gave the impression to be a formality. The entrance row repeated itself precisely because it went 1-2 in spherical one, with for the primary time at Daytona in his 20-year profession.
Subsequent to Busch will likely be Chase Briscoe, as he appears to be like to mount a Championship season. Will probably be Ford and Toyota, with Chevrolet bearing down.
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Open Automobiles
NASCAR Cup Sequence driver Cory Heim throughout qualifying for the 2026 Daytona 500.©Mike Dinovo-Imagn Photos
(©Mike Dinovo-Imagn Photos)
The open vehicles battled it out to earn themselves a spot within the massive race. The highest two of the eight entries achieve a spot after . The following two will likely be decided within the Duels on Thursday night time.
The incomes open entries included Corey Heim, who entered the ultimate spherical and earned himself fifth place on the Duel grid. The following automobile was pushed by Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports, who completed 14th, one spot behind Corey LaJoie of RFK Racing.
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That is how all of them formed up:
Shock Risers
third: Ryan Preece — Preece adopted up his by qualifying third for the Daytona Duels. He’s the No. 1 RFK automobile within the subject, with Buescher to comply with in eighth. LaJoie is completed fifteenth, and an injured Keselowski in 18th.
fifth: Corey Heim — The beginner made a press release in his 2026 debut. He was the one open automobile to make the ultimate spherical of qualifying and earned a Duel beginning place of fifth. We’ll preserve an in depth eye on Heim-time within the Daytona Duels, as he hopes to retain an incredible beginning place for Sunday.
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Notable Fallers
forty fifth (DQ): Noah Gragson — In a pit highway interview, that he “completely forgot” in regards to the new hand rule. On this rule, you can not use your hand to redirect air in any method. He was disqualified and completed forty fifth on Thursday night time.
twenty second: William Byron — The back-to-back champion had a foul qualifying session. Byron completed 22-of-45.
thirtieth: — 23XI Racing had a poor debut outdoors of Heim. Wallace completed thirtieth, and he has a lot work to do.
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fortieth: Tyler Reddick — It isn’t too clear what occurred to Reddick, however his automobile was not equipped. He failed, ending within the backside 12% of vehicles.
This story was initially printed by on Feb 12, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
