Anthony Alfredo will not race in the Daytona 500 after NASCAR disqualified his No. 62 Beard Motorsports car following the second Duel qualifying race on February 12, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway.
The moment carried strong emotion for the driver, who showed visible relief after missing the race the previous year. But the result changed after post-race inspection revealed rule violations tied to disconnected cooling hoses.
NASCAR officials reviewed the findings and applied the penalty under qualifying rules. The decision removed Alfredo from the field and opened the door for another driver to take the available position in Sunday’s race.
NEWS: With the No. 62’s finishing position in Duel 2 disallowed following post-race inspection, @bjmcleod78 now joins @CJMearsGang as the remaining two open cars to qualify for the #DAYTONA500. pic.twitter.com/ugYSFL1AmJ
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 13, 2026
Inspection Finds Cooling Hose Violations
NASCAR officials identified two problems during the post-race inspection. Both involved hoses that must remain secure for safety and competition reasons.
Cup Series managing director Brad Moran explained the first issue.
“We have a hose that comes from the right-side quarter window and is supposed to go into the transaxle cooler. It needs to be airtight and properly fastened. As you all know, we have many rules stating that no parts can fall off the car, for obvious reasons. We don’t determine intent, but the parts must be secured properly, and unfortunately, this one wasn’t.”
Officials then found another disconnected hose tied to the driver’s cooling. Moran said the problem can affect airflow, which matters at superspeedways where speed and aerodynamics play a major role.
“There was also another hose disconnected for driver cooling, which affects airflow at a superspeedway. We all understand the importance of that. It’s unfortunate this happened during the qualifying race, which we consider qualifying per our rule book.”
NASCAR Applies Qualifying Penalty
Because the Duel races set the starting lineup for the Daytona 500, NASCAR treated the violation the same as a rejected qualifying lap.
“Similar to a disallowed qualifying time, he was put to the back of the field. That will take him out of the 500.”
The ruling ended Alfredo’s attempt to make the race despite earning the position on track. NASCAR rules require all parts to remain attached and properly installed, and penalties apply even when officials cannot confirm how a part became loose.
Inspection Process and Field Update
Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass asked whether the hose had been secure before the race. Moran said the car cleared standard inspection before taking the track.
“Every car is inspected. We conduct safety inspections, check the inside and outside of the car, the windows, the tightness, and the tires. This certainly wasn’t sitting on the passenger floor when the car went through inspection.”
He added that officials could not determine exactly when the hose detached, but stressed that the policy remains firm across all events.
“As far as whether we know how it came off, no. After every 500-mile race, and really any race, all hoses are checked. Brake hoses, transaxle hoses, driver cooling hoses. If anything like this is found during the season, it would be a disqualification.”
“We’ve been consistent with that and always will be, because there are reasons why something like this could come loose or fall off.”
Following the decision, BJ McLeod moved into the Daytona 500 field along with Casey Mears as the remaining open entries. McLeod now prepares to compete in NASCAR’s biggest race after the inspection outcome reshaped the final lineup.
NASCAR Shocker: Anthony Alfredo Disqualified from Daytona 500 After Duel Violation