The NASCAR Cup Series kicks off the 2025 season with the sport’s premier crown-jewel event: the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Qualifying for this race is unlike any other on the circuit. The format includes two rounds of single-car qualifying to set the front row of the Daytona 500, plus a pair of 60-lap Duel races that sets the remainder of the field and the official starting lineup for the “Great American Race.”
RELATED: Full Daytona schedule | TV schedule for Daytona 500 week
How the field is set
The 36 drivers of Chartered cars are guaranteed to be in the race. Their starting positions are determined by both single-car qualifying and the Duel races. The remaining four spots in the field are filled by drivers in non-Chartered, or Open, cars.
The two fastest non-Charter cars in single-car qualifying will lock into the field — they could still advance their Daytona 500 starting spot with their performance in the Duel races but can fall back on their time if needed. The final two positions are determined by the highest-finishing non-Charter car in each Duel race.
New for 2025 is the Open Exemption Provisional, which NASCAR can give to a special or invited entrant on a case-by-case basis. NASCAR announced that Hélio Castroneves would be awarded the provisional for the Daytona 500 if needed. Castroneves, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, can still qualify for the Daytona 500 via the standard qualifying procedure. But if he doesn’t, he would slot in as a special entrant and start 41st. For more information on the OEP, read here.
MORE: Active drivers with Daytona 500 victory | Daytona 500 pole winners
Daytona 500 single-car qualifying
The single-car qualifying session is Wednesday, Feb. 12 (8 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
Each driver will run one timed lap around the 2.5-mile Florida superspeedway. The top 10 fastest drivers will then advance to Round 2 to fight for the pole position. The two fastest drivers in the final round lock themselves on the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500 (1:30 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), with the fastest claiming the pole. The rest of the lineup for the “Great American Race” is determined by the Duel races on Thursday (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The lineups for the two Duel races are determined by the qualifying speed chart. Those finishing first, third, fifth, etc. will race in Duel 1. Those finishing second, fourth, sixth, etc. will race in Duel 2, although NASCAR ensures there is an even number of Charter cars and non-Charter cars in each Duel race.
How do the Duels set the starting lineup for the Daytona 500?
The Duels consist of two 60-lap, 150-mile qualifying races that set positions third to 40th in the Daytona 500. The finishing order from Duel No. 1 will make up the inside rows for the Daytona 500. Then, those participating in Duel No. 2 will complete the outside rows for the “Great American Race.” Remember, the starting front row for the Daytona 500 was previously determined via single-car qualifying.
Duel No. 1 is set to get underway Thursday, Feb. 13 (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Meanwhile, Duel No. 2 is tentatively scheduled for 8:45 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
SHOP: Gear up for the Daytona 500
Are points awarded in the Duels?
The top-10 finishers in each Duel will be rewarded points that count toward the regular season. However, no playoff points will be awarded to the winners of each Duel race.
The winning driver of each Duel race will receive 10 points. Second place will earn nine points, and so on, down to the 10th-place finishers, who will get one point.