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
EDIT: Late Thursday night, NASCAR disqualified Alfredo after post-race inspection. BJ McLeod is now in the Daytona 500
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 top four positions.
“A great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night,” Elliott said. “There was a lot going on those last handful, really ever since we came off of pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.
“Carson (Hocevar) did a great job helping me control those lanes, I certainly owe him an appreciation for just kind of sticking with it, also pushing me well. Not a 500. I’ve been here before and not the other one, so you have to kind of learn to take it a day at a time.
“Fortunately, we’ve won this race here tonight before, like I said. I’m excited, but I’m also kind of cautiously realizing what Sunday brings. Obviously, that’s the big prize we all want. Certainly, will enjoy tonight and we’ll think about what we can do to do better.”
“We’ll be ready to come to work come Sunday.”
Anthony Alfredo Races His Way In
Alfredo is making his third Daytona 500 start on Sunday.
“When I came here with Beard Motorsports before, 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 a bit.”
Failed to Qualify for Sunday’s Race
With only one open position remaining for the three non-chartered teams, that meant 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.
Chase Elliott Wins NASCAR’s Duel No. 2 to Decide Final Daytona 500 Line up