The NASCAR Daytona 500, one of the sport’s marquee events, will see four top drivers face penalties related to violations following the America 250 Florida Duel qualifying at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR officials confirmed that Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Daniel Suarez—all regular competitors in the Cup Series—must switch to backup cars, resulting in mandatory starts from the rear for Sunday’s much-anticipated season opener. The issue arose as a direct result of contact and crashes during Thursday night’s Duels, escalating the pre-race pressure and triggering simmering frustration among teams and fans.
Chaotic Duels Lead to Major Changes on the Starting Grid
The qualifying Duels, which decided the starting order from positions three through forty-one, saw several contenders face unforeseen setbacks. Each affected team determined their primary cars were too badly damaged for quick repairs, pushing them to make the crucial decision to utilize backup vehicles for The Great American Race. The four impacted drivers—Chastain, Buescher, Byron, and Suarez—will now have to relinquish their hard-fought qualifying spots and drop to the rear, as required by NASCAR’s official rules. This rule states that once a backup is used after qualifying, a driver cannot retain their earned position, regardless of their prior performance.
Ross Chastain’s night ended on a sour note after his car sustained notable damage in an early incident, securing his place near the back of the grid. Chris Buescher, representing RFK Racing, was another casualty of the night’s melee; he is set to begin Sunday’s race from the very last row. Daniel Suarez, who managed a solid seventh-place finish in his qualifying race for Spire Motorsports, still found his Daytona dreams temporarily derailed as he, too, will line up near the rear among the pack.
Defending Champion William Byron Faces an Uphill Battle
William Byron, two-time Daytona 500 victor and last season’s champion, was not spared from the chaos. The #24 Chevrolet he drives was wrecked during the Duel, making a switch to a backup car unavoidable. As Byron chases the prospect of a third consecutive victory, his chances now seem more uncertain, starting from the depths of the field when the green flag drops. Despite this setback, Byron’s previous triumph in the season-opening race after switching to a backup car in 2024 offers a glimmer of hope for his fans and team heading into Sunday’s competition.
On Sunday, Suarez is slated to start 35th, Chastain 37th, Byron 39th, and Buescher 41st out of the 41-driver lineup, dramatically shifting the anticipated dynamic of the race from what fans and teams expected following qualifying performances.
Post-Race Inspection Shakes Up Final Field
Adding another layer of tension, Beard Motorsports’ #62 entry, driven by Anthony Alfredo, originally finished comfortably in 18th place and appeared to secure a grid spot. However, a post-race inspection led to Alfredo’s disqualification, allowing BJ McLeod to claim the final spot in the field. This sudden shakeup contributed even more unpredictability to an already contentious build-up toward the Daytona 500, as teams and fans adjust to the revised starting grid just days before the main event.
Implications for Sunday’s Season-Opening Race
The enforced penalties and switch to backup cars now mean that key drivers, including past champions like Byron, must work their way up from the tail end of the Daytona field. This scenario adds a layer of difficulty for competitors, puts more strategic burden on teams, and intensifies the overall tension at Daytona International Speedway. Fans and insiders can expect an aggressive charge from the rear, as these drivers and their organizations look to salvage their Daytona aspirations amid adversity. With such notable names forced into an underdog position, the 2026 Daytona 500 shaping up on Sunday promises an unpredictable and dramatic start to the new NASCAR season, pushing the importance of resilience and adaptability into the spotlight.
Add Suarez to a backup car for the 500. Chastain, Suarez, Byron, Buescher.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 13, 2026
