LIVE Audio Coverage of the Duels Tonight at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway will host the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale this Saturday, August 23,
Kyle Busch delivered the strongest Daytona 500 qualifying performance of his career Wednesday night at Daytona International Speedway, securing his first pole for the “Great American Race.” His No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet topped the first round and backed it up with a 183.651 mph lap in the final session, edging Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe by 0.064 mph to lock in the top starting spot for Sunday’s race.
Busch, 40, enters his 21st Daytona 500 still seeking his first victory in the event. No driver has ever won the race after more than 20 attempts, adding another layer of intrigue to his Speedweeks storyline.
Briscoe, Heim, and Allgaier Lock Into the Field
Briscoe will start alongside Busch on the front row after another strong superspeedway qualifying effort for Joe Gibbs Racing. The 2025 polesitter praised the team’s offseason gains and the consistency of the No. 19 Toyota program.
Two Open drivers secured guaranteed Daytona 500 berths: 23XI Racing’s Corey Heim and JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier. Heim advanced to the final round and delivered a composed performance to earn his first Daytona 500 start. Allgaier claimed the final Open spot by a razor‑thin 0.004‑second margin over Corey LaJoie.
The remaining 500 starting positions will be determined in tonight’s America 250 Florida Duel races at 7 p.m. ET.
Manufacturers Battle in a Fast Final Round
The final round featured a balanced mix of manufacturers, with four Chevrolets, three Fords, and three Toyotas advancing. Nine of the 10 cars posted speeds faster than last year’s pole time, underscoring the intensity of the session.
Ryan Preece placed third in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, followed by three‑time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin in fourth. Heim rounded out the top five as the only Open driver in the final round.
Allgaier Returns to the 500 With JR Motorsports
Allgaier, the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, will make his second straight Daytona 500 start for JR Motorsports. His qualifying run secured the team’s entry without needing to race in through the Duels, a welcome change from last year’s dramatic Thursday night battle.
Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. acknowledged the stress of Open‑car qualifying but praised the group’s execution.
Gragson Penalized Under New Rule
Front Row Motorsports driver Noah Gragson had his qualifying time disallowed after using his hand to manipulate airflow, a violation of a new NASCAR rule implemented this season. He will start last in his Duel race.
