Daytona 500 Qualifying Crowns Four Front-Row Earners and Sets Duel Field

Daytona Beach, FL – The quest for a coveted Daytona 500 victory officially intensified on Wednesday night as qualifying rounds at Daytona International Speedway determined the front row for the 2026 "Great American Race" and set the stage for the upcoming qualifying duels. Four teams emerged as immediate winners, securing their starting positions based on speed, with two directly earning front-row starts and two others clinching spots by being the fastest among the non-chartered entries.

Kyle Busch, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, captured the pole position, a significant achievement in his storied career. This marks Busch’s first-ever Daytona 500 pole, adding a new accolade to his impressive resume as he continues his pursuit of the iconic trophy. Alongside Busch on the front row will be Chase Briscoe in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Ford, who secured the second-fastest qualifying lap.

"Yeah, it’s a box we got to check," Busch commented on securing the pole. "Here we are. This is an opportunity to be able to do that. I’ve come down here a lot of years. I think I finished in about every position possible. It would be nice to close out 2026 with a victory here in the Daytona 500."

The pressure of the annual question regarding his Daytona 500 win total was acknowledged by Busch. "We just got to get the job done so we stop talking about it," he stated. "No better time than right now here in 2026. It’s just the nature of what this race is and what it holds. Being in the right place at the right time, making the right moves when you can. We were just talking about it. It would be nice to lead all 200 laps, stink up the show and win this thing. I don’t think you’ll make it on fuel if you did that. There’s all kinds of different strategies. There’s going to be 30 other guys plus that have that same opportunity that they believe they can win this race as well, too. That’s why you got to run the place and play it all out as it comes."

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Busch’s success is also attributed to the seamless integration of his new crew chief, Jim Pohlman. Busch highlighted Pohlman’s confidence and strategic approach throughout the offseason, noting that the entire team has embraced his methods, leading to immediate positive results. Team owner Richard Childress echoed these sentiments, expressing his satisfaction with Pohlman’s contribution to the RCR organization.

"Getting Jim on and just watching how he fit into our family at RCR, it’s great," Childress remarked. "I stand back and watch a lot. To watch how they worked this winter, the way they just do everything right now, I’m just happy and proud of all of ’em. Kyle, we got to get this 500."

For Chase Briscoe, this front-row start is his second consecutive at the Daytona 500, a testament to the continuous improvements within the Joe Gibbs Racing superspeedway program. "I felt like forever Hendrick cars on the front row, seven, eight years in a row," Briscoe reflected. "It’s cool for sure to be able to consistently two years in a row now. It’s really a testament to the folks back at JGR. We’ve made so many improvements on our superspeedway program. This race really comes down to, at least in qualifying, attention to detail (and) just doing every little thing."

Briscoe expressed his pride in his team’s consistent performance. "Just a lot of pride in that, right," he said. "I know for me, every week when I get in the car, I know I’m in arguably the best car every single week. When we come here and do stuff like we’ve done two years in a row validates that. It’s the kid in me to be able to lead the field to green two years — not lead the field, but being in the front row, for two years in a row at the Daytona 500."

Beyond the front row, two other drivers secured guaranteed starting berths by posting the fastest laps among the teams not already locked into the field via a charter. Corey Heim, piloting the No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota, and Justin Allgaier, in the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, achieved this crucial milestone.

Heim’s successful qualifying run comes as a significant relief after facing the challenge of qualifying for his first Daytona 500. Last season, his attempt to qualify at Chicago ended with a wall contact, an experience he was keen to avoid on this grander stage. "Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely been a lot of pressure," Heim admitted. "It’s been stressful I think just as a driver. You never can guarantee that you’re going to lock in qualifying. Looking back at last year, I kind of was able to see which teams were successful in the speedway qualifying side of things. It’s 99 percent car if not more as far as where you qualify here. Just kind of looking back at the other teams and how they qualified, I was like, ‘Dang, it’s going to be pretty tight,’ depending on how we unload."

Heim further elaborated on the team dynamic at 23XI Racing. "I mean, kind of like I said earlier, this is so dependent on the car that 23XI brings to the racetrack," Heim stated. "Obviously they brought a really good one for me. That’s what helped me lock into the show, whereas Chicago was just a mess-up on my part. Apples to oranges. At the end of the day, we’re all a team, all one. After that Chicago race, everyone really stuck behind me and understood that I’m a developing race car driver and I’ll make those mistakes. Worked their tails off to bring me a great Daytona 500 car. Super cool feeling to have that support. No one gave up on me after that race. Hopefully we can build off of this one and go race on Sunday and go compete in some more after this." Heim’s speed secured his spot by a mere 0.004 seconds over Corey LaJoie.

For Justin Allgaier and JR Motorsports, this marks their second consecutive Daytona 500 qualification. While last year’s achievement was met with unbridled elation, this year’s success is viewed with a sense of earned pride and a clear objective to contend. "Yeah, I mean, I think last year was so different emotionally," Allgaier explained. "I think, too, there is a lot of — I think everybody in our group feels the want to go be better this year, right? Last year we wanted to get in, we wanted to make laps and get JR Motorsports in the racetrack for the first time and do all these things. We hit all those markers, finished in the top 10, and it was great."

The team’s ambition now extends beyond merely participating. "Now, they want to lead laps and be one of the dominant cars, and maybe go challenge for the Harley J. Earl," Allgaier added.

Co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his perspective on the significance of earning a spot through speed, drawing parallels to the sport’s past. "We got here today and we had some nerves," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I kept thinking, Man, this is why it’s fun. If it was all handed to you, it wouldn’t be as much fun. Coming down here nervous and scared, standing out there worried, wondering if you’d run a good enough lap. I mean, that really is the payoff to being in racing and motorsports. It’s the anxiety and stuff, but it’s really enjoyable because when it works out, it’s such a great feeling. Enjoyed the process and everything out there."

Earnhardt Jr. views this second appearance for JR Motorsports as a rewarding extension of their debut. "I would say this is like just having more dessert, man," he commented. "We ate the whole course last year, and we’re getting to be back for seconds at the dessert table, just have a little more. Feel like we’re in bonus time, if you will."

With the front row set and two non-chartered teams locked in, the remaining positions for the Daytona 500 will be decided in the upcoming qualifying races. Drivers like Corey LaJoie, Chandler Smith, and Casey Mears will compete for spots in the first qualifying race, while Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and JJ Yeley will vie for berths in the second. These races will not only determine who else joins the field but also offer valuable track time and strategic insights for the main event on Sunday.

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