How the 2026 Daytona 500 lineup is set with single-car qualifying, Duel races
The NASCAR Cup Series commences its 2026 season with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, HBO Max). The prestige of the Daytona 500 is unmatched, as well as the bragging rights that come with hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy in Victory Lane.
That said, the Daytona 500 features a much different qualifying procedure compared to other points-paying events on the calendar. Here’s how it works.
How the field is set
The drivers of all 36 Chartered entries are guaranteed spots into the Daytona 500.
Four additional spots are filled by non-Charter teams, often referred to as Open entries. Because Jimmie Johnson is utilizing the Open Exemption Provisional in the No. 84 Toyota, four Open entries and the No. 84 will be assigned starting positions.
Of the four spots for Open teams, the two fastest Open cars in single-car qualifying will lock into the field. The other two spots come from the top Open finisher in each Duel qualifying race.
Unofficially, the Open teams battling for four spots in this year’s field are: Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Corey Heim, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith and JJ Yeley. The official entry list will be out later this week. more
