BJ McLeod secured his place in the Daytona 500 after a dramatic turn during post-race inspection, where Anthony Alfredo was disqualified for technical violations on Thursday night. The inspection results immediately altered the BJ McLeod Daytona 500 qualification landscape at Daytona International Speedway, with McLeod stepping in after previously missing out on a transfer spot during the Duel.
Technical Inspection Issues Lead to Alfredo’s Removal
Anthony Alfredo initially finished 18th in the second Duel, which appeared set to earn him entry into the 68th running of the Daytona 500. However, NASCAR officials conducted a post-race inspection and determined that Alfredo’s No. 62 Chevrolet had not conformed to technical requirements. Specifically, a transaxle cooling hose was improperly secured, and a driver’s cooling hose was also misattached. Due to these infractions and because the Duels serve as qualifying events, the penalties imposed were not subject to appeal. Consequently, Alfredo was removed from the Daytona 500 field altogether.
BJ McLeod Moves Into the Race After Passing Tech
Alfredo’s disqualification led to McLeod’s advancement in the finishing order, moving the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet into the top open-entry transfer position. NASCAR cleared McLeod’s vehicle after it successfully met all checks during post-race inspection, confirming his official entry into the Daytona 500. This marks McLeod’s return to the marquee race after last participating in 2023. He was reportedly unaware of the ongoing situation until he arrived at the technical inspection area, learning of his new opportunity on the spot.
“I was walking down to tech to talk to my crew chief about Atlanta next week. I had no idea any of this was going on. I missed the boat on it. I guess I wasn’t looking at my phone. I had my ringer off. So I get down here and I hear that the 62’s had some issues and we’re going to roll through tech.”
“And once we clear tech, we’re running the 500. And believe me, there’s an extreme level of excitement. And I’m very, very thankful. The opportunity to race in the Daytona 500 is something that doesn’t happen many times in life.”
– BJ McLeod, Driver
Reaction from Anthony Alfredo and Beard Motorsports
Anthony Alfredo expressed confusion and disappointment after learning about the disqualification. He defended his team and explained that he had been unaware of the infraction until contacted by fans on social media. Alfredo, who represents Beard Motorsports and competes full-time for Viking Motorsports in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, shared his determination to clarify the specifics of the rule violation with NASCAR directly.
“I’m going to talk to NASCAR about it, because I want to actually have a better understanding of what the rule is and what it says. … Obviously, no malpractice, because if it was anything advantageous, we would have done it yesterday and qualified into the race. It wouldn’t be anything to benefit us in the duels,”
– Anthony Alfredo, Driver
Alfredo also admitted that he was unaware of his removal until online reactions began to surface. He only saw updates after fans pointed them out, highlighting the abrupt and public nature of the news.
“I think one thing I’d like to say is, Bob, please at me next time, because I’m sitting there posting things and sharing things about making the race, and I hadn’t seen his tweet yet that there was issues in tech until people started trolling me on social media,”
– Anthony Alfredo, Driver
Emotional Fallout and New Focus
The heightened emotions across both McLeod and Alfredo’s teams underscored the intensified atmosphere surrounding the Daytona 500 qualification battles. McLeod described the excitement and gratitude for the rare opportunity to compete in NASCAR’s iconic race, while Alfredo resolved to focus his energy on the upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts Series opener for Viking Motorsports. Though his Daytona dreams were dashed for now, Alfredo pointed to his intent on bouncing back in the season opener on Saturday.
Implications for the 2026 Daytona 500
This post-inspection drama has not only shaken up the official starting lineup but has also intensified discussions around the rigor of NASCAR’s technical compliance processes. Notable drivers and teams—such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Justin Allgaier, and organizations like Live Fast Motorsports and Beard Motorsports—remain alert as the Daytona 500 approaches. The credibility of technical inspections and transparency in rulings will remain central topics well into race day, especially as social media increasingly becomes a source of breaking news for drivers and fans alike.
McLeod’s late addition to the Daytona 500 field after intense scrutiny reinforces the critical role of inspections and the high stakes for all participants. As the racing season advances, drivers and teams will be reminded that one technical misstep can determine the fate of their ambitions on NASCAR’s grandest stage.
BJ McLeod wasn’t looking at his phone when the news broke. pic.twitter.com/myCEBbeNBP
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 13, 2026
Anthony Alfredo had no idea of his disqualification until people started commenting on his posts. pic.twitter.com/cWvz8NJgPz
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) February 13, 2026
