DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The excitement surrounding Speedweek at Daytona International Speedway intensified as the first day of qualifying concluded, revealing the top contenders for the highly anticipated DAYTONA 500.
Qualifying took place over two rounds, where the ten fastest drivers advanced to the second round to compete for pole position. Among the standout performances was Alex Bowman, who clocked a remarkable sixth-fastest lap at 49.152 seconds. Close behind him was teammate Kyle Larson with a lap time of 49.158 seconds. Chase Elliott also made a strong showing, securing ninth place in qualifying with a time of 49.22 seconds.
In a unique twist to the qualifying process that differs from other races in the Cup Series, the final starting grid for the DAYTONA 500 will only be partially determined by these times. The front row is established from Wednesday’s qualifying runs, while the remaining positions will be filled during the Duel at DAYTONA races on Thursday night. Bowman’s and William Byron’s placements will be determined in the first Duel, with Larson and Elliott competing in the second Duel. The results of these races will set the odd-numbered positions for Sunday’s race, while the even-numbered slots will be filled based on the second Duel outcomes. With 41 cars vying for a spot on the starting grid, four open entries will be eliminated after Thursday’s events.
The qualifying results set the stage for a thrilling weekend of racing at Daytona, showcasing the talent and determination of drivers as they aim for a prominent position in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events.