Daytona Duels 2026 live updates, results, highlights from Daytona 500 qualifying races

Daytona Duels 2026 live updates, results, highlights from Daytona 500 qualifying races originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cup Series calendar kicks off in earnest with Daytona Duels. It’s a welcome sight for NASCAR fans. After all, it indicates that the greatest spectacle in stock car racing — the Daytona 500 — is on the horizon.

Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe embraced the spotlight during Wednesday’s qualifying session, bursting around the bend to secure front-row placement in Sunday’s race. They, too, will join the ranks of Daytona Duels contestants, surrounded by a cadre of drivers hoping to get their Cup Series campaigns off on the right foot.

The shortened nature of the run, coupled with the perilousness of Daytona International Speedway’s winding thoroughfare, could precipitate fireworks across two heats. The Big One looms like a shadow for all those who prance inside the coliseum’s hallowed halls. Thursday’s outing could provide a preview.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Thursday’s Daytona Duels. Follow below for highlights, results and more from the night races at Daytona International Speedway.

WATCH: Watch NASCAR’s Daytona Duels races live with Fubo

Daytona Duels 2026 live updates, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Updates will start closer to Duel 1’s 7:00 p.m. ET start time.

Duel 1 starting lineup

Pos.	Driver	Car No.	Team
1	Kyle Busch	8	Richard Childress Racing
2	Ryan Preece	60	RFK Racing
3	Corey Heim	67	23XI Racing
4	Alex Bowman	48	Hendrick Motorsports
5	Chris Buescher	17	RFK Racing
6	Joey Logano	22	Team Penske
7	Austin Dillon	3	Richard Childress Racing
8	Corey LaJoie	99	RFK Racing
9	John Hunter Nemechek	42	Legacy Motor Club
10	Brad Keselowski	6	RFK Racing
11	Ryan Blaney	12	Team Penske
12	William Byron	24	Hendrick Motorsports
13	Cole Custer	41	Haas Factory Team
14	Cody Ware	51	Rick Ware Racing
15	Jimmie Johnson	84	Legacy Motor Club
16	Bubba Wallace	23	23XI Racing
17	AJ Allmendinger	16	Kaulig Racing
18	Ross Chastain	1	Trackhouse Racing
19	Shane van Gisbergen	97	Trackhouse Racing
20	Daniel Suarez	7	Spire Motorsports
21	Chandler Smith	36	JTG Daugherty Racing
22	Casey Mears	66	Garage 66
23	Noah Gragson	4	Front Row Motorsports

Duel 2 starting lineup

Pos.	Driver	Car No.	Team
1	Chase Briscoe	19	Joe Gibbs Racing
2	Denny Hamlin	11	Joe Gibbs Racing
3	Kyle Larson	5	Hendrick Motorsports
4	Chase Elliott	9	Hendrick Motorsports
5	Ty Gibbs	54	Joe Gibbs Racing
6	Christopher Bell	20	Joe Gibbs Racing
7	Justin Allgaier	40	JR Motorsports
8	Austin Cindric	2	Team Penske
9	Zane Smith	38	Front Row Motorsports
10	Michael McDowell	71	Front Row Motorsports
11	Connor Zilisch	88	Trackhouse Racing
12	Erik Jones	43	Legacy Motor Club
13	Josh Berry	21	Wood Brothers Racing
14	Carson Hocevar	77	Spire Motorsports
15	Riley Herbst	35	23XI Racing
16	Todd Gilliland	34	Front Row Motorsports
17	Anthony Alfredo	62	Beard Motorsports
18	Ty Dillon	10	Kaulig Racing
19	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	47	Hyak Motorsports
20	Tyler Reddick	45	23XI Racing
21	BJ McLeod	78	Live Fast Motorsports
22	J.J. Yeley	44	NY Racing Team

Daytona Duels 2026 start times

Duel 2: 8:45 p.m. ET (approx.)

Duel 1 will consist of odd-number finishers (one, three, five, etc.) from time trials. Duel 2 will feature the trial’s even-numbered participants (two, four, six, etc.)

Daytona Duels 2026 TV channel

TV networks: FS1 (U.S.), TSN5 (Canada)

Thursday’s races will be broadcast on FS1 nationally. Mike Joy (play-by-play) will lead the call; he’ll be joined by analysts Clint Bowyer and Larry McReynolds, who will offer occasional musings from the booth.

The races can be streamed on Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

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