The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session for the Daytona 500 is set to take place at Daytona International Speedway, where 45 drivers will each make a single-lap run on Wednesday evening to secure their spot in the starting lineup. This critical qualifying round will determine not only the two drivers locked into the front row but also outline starting positions for two key America 250 Florida Duel races, all part of the lead-up to Sunday’s iconic 68th Great American Race.
How Qualifying Shapes the Daytona 500 Grid
Each participating driver in the NASCAR Cup Series qualifying event will complete one lap in an individual time trial around the four-turn, 2.5-mile, high-banked oval located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The ten fastest drivers from this round will move on to a second session. In the decisive second round, the two quickest will earn the top starting positions for Sunday’s 200-lap event.
This process does more than just designate the front row; it also secures two coveted spots in the 41-car field for open entries without charters. The full results from qualifying on Wednesday will set the starting grids for Thursday night’s pair of 60-lap America 250 Florida Duel races, which further finalize the complete Daytona 500 lineup behind the front row.
America 250 Florida Duel Race Assignments
The lineup for each America 250 Florida Duel race is determined by the qualifying times, making every lap in Wednesday’s session pivotal. The outcome of Duel Race No. 1 and Duel Race No. 2 will ultimately fill out the rest of the Daytona 500 starting order for all remaining drivers after the front two positions have been established.
Daytona 500 Starting Order Revealed
The final, official lineup for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 will be set after the America 250 Florida Duel races conclude at Daytona International Speedway. Fans interested in watching the live coverage can tune in to Fox Sports 1 for the Duel races starting at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The main event, the Daytona 500, will be broadcast live on Fox this Sunday, February 15, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
What These Qualifying Rounds Mean
The structured format of NASCAR Cup Series qualifying ensures both excitement and unpredictability, giving open drivers a genuine chance to race their way into the field while upholding tradition at Daytona. This system not only elevates competition for both chartered and non-chartered teams but also keeps fans engaged from the very first time trial through to the green flag of the Daytona 500. As drivers and teams vie for prized starting spots, the stage is set for another memorable running of the sport’s most anticipated event.
