The Daytona 500 is a race where every second matters, and for some, a single mistake means everything is over. In the battle for the final spots, four drivers saw their hopes vanish. Drivers who fell short of the Daytona 500 include Chandler Smith, Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and JJ Yeley, who all faced different setbacks. A costly crash, a late-race misstep, and pit road troubles shaped their fate. What exactly went wrong?
Key Highlights
- Chandler Smith failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 due to a crash caused by miscommunication with his spotter.
- Anthony Alfredo’s Daytona 500 dreams ended after being overtaken and crashing on the last lap of Duel 2.
- BJ McLeod missed qualification due to a prolonged pit stop, which compromised his track position despite having a fast car.
- JJ Yeley was among the drivers who did not secure a spot in the Daytona 500 line-up.
- Justin Allgaier and Corey LaJoie earned the final Daytona 500 spots through their performance in the Duels.
Daytona 500 Duel Results and Qualification
The Daytona 500 Duels, held at Daytona Beach on February 13, played a vital role in determining the final lineup for the upcoming Great American Race.
With 45 entries competing for a place in the prestigious Daytona 500, the Duels acted as a significant filter, ensuring only the most deserving made the cut.
Out of the 45 hopefuls, 36 drivers were assured entry through the NASCAR Cup Series charters. Meanwhile, Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson secured their spots during the qualifying rounds on February 12.
Helio Castroneves benefited from the new Open Exemption Provisional rule, guaranteeing his entry regardless of Duel performance.
The remaining six drivers contended fiercely for the final one or two available spots. Justin Allgaier and Corey LaJoie emerged victorious, securing their positions in the race.
Consequently, Chandler Smith, JJ Yeley, Anthony Alfredo, and BJ McLeod found themselves excluded from the Daytona 500 starting lineup.
Chandler Smith’s Crash and Apology
Post-incident, Chandler Smith clarified that he attempted to follow the cars ahead but failed to react swiftly.
Miscommunication with his spotter compounded the error, as Smith believed he was clear to move down.
“Just honestly didn’t know where the [No.] 7 was. My digital mirror stopped working after we got on the backstretch of the first lap, couldn’t see out of my left-side mirror unless they were 10 feet to my left side. I couldn’t really see where Justin [Haley] was.” – Chandler Smith
Big damage for Chandler Smith. pic.twitter.com/4yusjbCdop
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025
“Got all my track position. I was happy with it. I started fading bottom and didn’t get down quick enough. So it’s on me, and I apologize. There’s a lot of torn up racecars that were good, quality racecars. … Justin [Haley] tried lifting, Justin tried giving me a chance there. … It’s just a crappy racing deal.” – Chandler Smith
Despite the crash, Smith’s X-rays were negative, allowing him to continue racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Unfortunately, this marked his subsequent consecutive failure to qualify for the Daytona 500.
Impact on Helio Castroneves and Daytona 500 Grid
Helio Castroneves, a celebrated figure in the open-wheel racing world, faced an unexpected setback when a crash during the Daytona 500 qualifiers forced him to rely on the Owner’s Exemption Provision (OEP) to secure his spot in the race.
This development altered the dynamics of the Daytona 500 grid, as 41 cars were set to compete. Castroneves’ reliance on the OEP emphasized the unpredictable nature of racing qualifications, where even seasoned drivers can find themselves in precarious situations.
As the grid solidified, other drivers, such as Justin Allgaier and J.J. Yeley, fought fiercely in Duel 1 for their chance to race. Allgaier ultimately succeeded, but Yeley fell short despite a valiant effort.
“I was just trying to play a little chess match there. If I followed the [No.] 40, I was going to be stuck. With the [No.] 56 going to the back, I thought he was just going to ride. Once he [Truex] pushed to the outside, got three-wide and got clear of the [No.] 40, I just thought I need to go where they’re not.”
“The bottom had really good momentum there with five-six [laps] to go, and I thought I was gonna be in really good shape. I just didn’t have quite the pace those guys did. I was stuck going where the guys in front of me were. I couldn’t make anything happen.” – J.J. Yeley
Castroneves’ situation highlighted the intense stakes and competitive spirit that define the Daytona 500. His inclusion via the OEP serves as a demonstration of his reputation and the intricate balance of skill and circumstance in racing.
Anthony Alfredo and Corey LaJoie’s Duel 2 Battle
Although Duel 2 at the Daytona 500 qualifiers was filled with anticipation and competitive spirit, it became a crucial showdown for Anthony Alfredo and Corey LaJoie.
Alfredo, driving the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, initially positioned himself well after green-flag pit stops. However, a surge of Fords, including LaJoie’s, overtook Alfredo, leaving him outnumbered and without manufacturer support. Alfredo expressed that despite his car’s strength and tactical positioning, the lack of Chevrolet allies hindered his ability to maintain the lead.
“[It got away from me] by just being outnumbered by manufacturer, honestly, because there’s nothing anyone did wrong tonight.”
“The car was really strong. … I drove to the front by myself to put myself in position for that green-flag stop, came down with the few Chevy teammates I had out there. … Unfortunately, at the end, where we lined up, even after that wreck, every car in front of me was a Ford.
“So I just had nobody to go with. Every time I made a move, they would do the opposite of me, obviously trying to help out the [No.] 01, which is understandable.” – Anthony Alfredo
The situation intensified when Alfredo, trying to regain ground, received no drafting assistance from fellow drivers. His attempt to break free from the pack was unsuccessful, causing him to fall behind.
As the race concluded, a last-lap crash compounded Alfredo’s challenges, resulting in a damaged vehicle. While Alfredo will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity race, his Daytona 500 aspirations were dashed, leaving Beard Motorsports with an uncertain future.
BJ McLeod’s Missed Opportunity and Pit Stop Troubles
BJ McLeod’s attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 met a notable setback due to pit stop complications. Despite having a fast car, McLeod was unable to secure a position in the race. He attributed his missed opportunity to a prolonged pit stop, which compromised his track position.
“Once again, fast car. I feel like we made our own bed with the pit stop there. I felt like we stayed in our stall too long, because I saved fuel really well and did a better job than last year. … That took our track position away.” – BJ McLeod
McLeod expressed that he had managed fuel more effectively than the previous year but still fell short due to the pit stop delay.
Key factors in McLeod’s missed opportunity included:
- Prolonged duration in the pit stall, impacting track position.
- Improved fuel management compared to the prior year.
- Participation with Live Fast Motorsports in other major races.
- Consistent performance in drafting races and the Coca-Cola 600.
News in Brief: Drivers Who Fell Short of the Daytona 500
In the lead-up to the Daytona 500, the duels played a decisive role in shaping the starting grid. Chandler Smith’s crash not only impacted his chances but also those of Helio Castroneves, altering the lineup. Meanwhile, Anthony Alfredo and Corey LaJoie’s intense battle in Duel 2 emphasized the competitive nature of the qualifiers.
BJ McLeod faced setbacks with pit stop issues, illustrating the numerous challenges drivers face. These events highlighted the unpredictability and elevated risks of the duels.
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