Who’s starting where and who’s going home for the Daytona 500 was decided via the second NASCAR Duel 150 race at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, February 12. When the checkered flag waved, it was Chase Elliott claiming victory and slotting himself to start fourth in the Great American Race.
Elliott started fourth in the No. 9 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports taking the lead late in 60-lap race. This was Elliott’s fourth career Deul victory.
He was followed to the checkered flag by Carson Hocevar, Kyle Larson, Micheal McDowell and Christopher Bell to round out the top-five finishers.
Another driver celebrating was Anthony Alfedo in the No. 62 Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports who utilized an 18th-place finish to claim the final available open position. Two drivers failed to race their way in, BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley
Chase Elliott Wins Second NASCAR Daytona 500 Duel
Unlike Duel No. 1, this 60-lap/150-mile race went caution free around the 2.5-mile, high-banked trioval. Another glaring aspect was how pit strategy played out during this race.
Drivers chose to pit on three different laps for enough fuel to make it to the finish. A group of five drivers pitted on Lap 46, another five on lap 47 and the remaining cars came in for service on lap 47.
When all cars regrouped afterwards is when Elliott made his way forward and into the lead. After two and three-wide racing, in the end it was Chevrolets occupying the first four finishing positions.
Anthony Alfredo Races His Way into Daytona 500
Alfredo will make his third start when the 68th running of the Daytona 500 begins on Sunday.
“The first year I came down here with Beard Motorsports, we made it on speed in qualifying,” Alfredo said. “I wasn’t too stressed about having to race our way in this year. I was fairly confident we could get the job done based off how we were in practice.
“I was really happy how our car raced and how it went drafting with other Chevrolet teams. It was a good showing with us leading the race at one point. Amy and Linda Beard (owners) have designed this team to win, not just ride around in races.
“The reason I dropped back at the end is because I was being smart with our car. We all saw what happened in the first race. When I found out the two guys I had to beat were 15 seconds behind me, I took my foot off the gas to be smart.”
Failed to Qualify for Sunday’s Race
With only position available for three non-chartered teams looking to make the race, that mean two drivers were left to watch Sunday’s race from afar.
McLeod drives the No. 78 Chevrolet for his self-owned Live Fast Motorsports team. JJ Yeley was piloting the No. 44 Chevrolet for NY Racing. They are the two drivers going home from Daytona.
With the 41-car field set, it’s 200 laps and 500 miles on Sunday to decide the 2026 Daytona 500 Champion. It will air live on FOX-TV, MRN Radio and Sirius XM Radio starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
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