Projecting the lineups for Duel races, 2024 Daytona 500
Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images
Each year, the NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the season with its pinnacle event -- the Daytona 500. The 66th annual running is set for Monday, Feb. 19 (4 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). And, like any big event, some unique quirks are part of the build-up.
The most notable difference in the "Great American Race" compared to any other on the Cup schedule is how the starting lineup is set. Forty cars will make the Daytona 500 starting grid. Thirty-six teams are guaranteed starting spots thanks to their Charters, leaving only four spots available for Open teams.
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The process begins with single-car qualifying on Wednesday, where the two fastest drivers -- Joey Logano and Michael McDowell -- secured the front-row starting positions for Monday's race. Additionally, the two fastest Open cars -- Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan -- clinched a spot in Monday's main event
The remaining results from single-car qualifying set the field for the two Bluegreen Vacations Duel races on Thursday. The duel races are 60-lap affairs, the results of which set the lineup for the Daytona 500 itself.
Drivers who are in odd-numbered positions on the speed chart from single-car qualifying make up the starting grid of Duel No. 1, while those who qualify in even-numbered positions make up Duel No. 2 (although NASCAR ensures an even number of Open cars in each race, so there may be slight adjustments). The highest-finishing Open car in each duel advances into the Daytona 500.
The results of Duel No. 1 set the inside row for the 2024 Daytona 500, while the results of Duel No. 2 set the outside row for Monday's race.
Below are the results of the Duel races and the Daytona 500 starting lineup.