Chase Elliott Triumphs in Duel 2; Anthony Alfredo Secures Emotional Daytona 500 Berth

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chase Elliott, piloting the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, secured a dominant victory in Thursday night’s second Duel qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway, setting the stage for the upcoming Daytona 500. The race, characterized by strategic pacing and a dramatic late-race surge, also saw Anthony Alfredo clinch a coveted spot in "The Great American Race" with an emotional performance.

Elliott’s win was a testament to calculated execution, as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Carson Hocevar, who finished second, worked in tandem for much of the latter half of the 60-lap event. The pair maintained a close cooperative front, avoiding aggressive maneuvers until the final circuits. Kyle Larson, also of Hendrick Motorsports, finished third, followed by Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell, rounding out the top five. The strategic alliance between the Hendrick and Spire Motorsports entries up front proved effective, showcasing a unified approach to securing strong starting positions for the main event.

“A great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night,” Elliott remarked post-race, reflecting on the intensity of the qualifying race. “There was a lot going on those last handful, really ever since we came off of pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.” He specifically acknowledged Hocevar’s role in their successful strategy: “Had some great support there. Carson [Hocevar] did a great job helping me control those lanes, helping get Team Chevy for Victory Lane tonight. Certainly owe him an appreciation for just kind of sticking with it, also pushing me well. It’s real easy to get people out of control. Appreciate that.”

Elliott’s victory marks a significant confidence boost for the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion and the No. 9 team as they aim for their first Daytona 500 title. “Nice to get the NAPA Chevy a win. Not a 500. I’ve been here before and not the other one, so you have to kind of learn to take it a day at a time. Look, a great way to start the speed week for our team. Proud of our effort, everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, the boss, from top to bottom. Their commitment and will to win it pretty darn high. Proud to be a part of their team.”

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The remainder of the top ten finishers included Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin, all of whom solidified their starting positions for the Daytona 500.

The true drama of the evening, however, unfolded in the battle for the remaining open spots in the Daytona 500 field. The final guaranteed entry was contested between Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and JJ Yeley. The caution-free nature of Duel 2 proved pivotal in this tightly contested battle for qualification.

Alfredo Makes the Show in Emotional Triumph

For Anthony Alfredo, the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet secured its place in the Daytona 500 with a hard-fought 18th-place finish. As the laps wound down, both BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley encountered difficulties maintaining pace within the draft, ultimately losing ground. This allowed Alfredo to navigate the closing stages of the race with a degree of relief, ensuring his participation in NASCAR’s premier event. The emotional weight of this accomplishment was palpable as Alfredo spoke to reporters, visibly moved.

“I definitely don’t want to be in that position,” Alfredo stated, his voice thick with emotion. “Making it on time is a lot easier. This is for the third time. It’s really cool (tearing up). My career has had a lot of ups and downs. You never know when you’re going to get another shot to race on any Sunday, especially the Daytona 500, The Great American Race.”

The significance of the moment was amplified by the presence of his family. “I have all my family here. My baby girl, Everleigh. I think I’ve only been this choked up twice in my life, when she was born, and (indiscernible) for the Daytona 500. It wouldn’t be possible without Beard Motorsports, a tremendous family. Women-owned NASCAR Cup Series team with a dream, carrying along Mark Beard Sr.’s legacy. And Dude Wipes. I wouldn’t be in my career without them. They’ve been my flagship partner in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. To come here and make the Daytona 500 together is a dream come true.”

The sting of missing last year’s Daytona 500 was a driving force for Alfredo. “I mean, missing it last year has haunted me until this very moment. This is the only thing that could blow that black cloud over.” This marks Alfredo’s third career start in the Daytona 500, and his first since the 2024 season.

Race Recap: A Strategic Affair with Late-Race Drama

The second Duel race, much like its predecessor, began with a deliberate pace, featuring significant fuel-saving strategies during the initial half of the event. Chase Briscoe, who secured the outside front-row starting position for the Daytona 500, led a substantial portion of the race. As the field approached the halfway mark and the prospect of pit stops loomed, the outside lane began to gain momentum, with Michael McDowell briefly taking the lead.

The green-flag pit stop cycle commenced with approximately 15 laps remaining. The pit road exchanges were executed without incident, though minor timing issues affected a few competitors. Chase Briscoe experienced a brief delay due to stopping short in his pit box, costing him valuable time. Connor Zilisch also faced a miscalculation in his pit stop, necessitating an independent stop to correct.

Following the pit stop sequence, a line of Toyota entries, spearheaded by Erik Jones, initiated a series of strategic overtakes. They surged through a group of cars attempting to impede their progress, generating the closest moment of potential on-track incident during the race. Despite the close calls, the field managed to navigate the maneuvers without contact.

Tyler Reddick then assumed the lead for a period before Carson Hocevar mounted a charge, successfully passing Reddick. Shortly thereafter, Chase Elliott seized the advantage from Hocevar, maintaining his lead through the checkered flag to secure the victory.

The results of the Duel races finalize the starting grid for the 66th running of the Daytona 500, scheduled for Sunday, February 18th. The event promises to be a highly anticipated opener to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, featuring a diverse field of seasoned veterans and emerging talents vying for the prestigious Harley J. Earl Trophy.

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