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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In a stark contrast to the chaotic opening qualifier, Chase Elliott piloted his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to a commanding victory in Duel #2 at Daytona International Speedway, leading a clean, caution-free race that set the stage for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Elliott, a former NASCAR Cup Series champion, controlled the proceedings for much of the 60-lap event, showcasing a masterful blend of strategy and execution.
The 2020 Cup Series champion secured his spot on the front row for the "Great American Race" by taking the checkered flag ahead of a strong contingent of competitors. Youngster Carson Hocevar finished a remarkable second, followed closely by teammate Kyle Larson in third, demonstrating the strength of the Hendrick Motorsports operation. Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell rounded out the top five, all earning valuable track time and confidence heading into the season opener.
Elliott’s victory was a testament to the collaborative efforts of his team and his fellow Chevrolet drivers. "A great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night," Elliott remarked after climbing from his victorious machine. "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 credited Hocevar for his assistance in managing the draft and securing the win for the Chevrolet camp. "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."
The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, a familiar sight in Victory Lane, provided Elliott with a morale boost for the upcoming week. "Nice to get the NAPA Chevy a win," he stated. "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, each securing solid starting positions and valuable data for the demanding 500-mile race.
The duel also served as a critical opportunity for drivers competing for open spots in the Daytona 500, with the final guaranteed starting position hinging on the performance of Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and JJ Yeley. Throughout the caution-free affair, both McLeod and Yeley found themselves battling to maintain momentum in the draft. Alfredo, in his No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, managed to hold his position, ultimately finishing 18th and securing his place in the Daytona 500.
"I definitely don’t want to be in that position," Alfredo said, visibly emotional after his qualifying race. "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." He expressed profound gratitude for the support of Beard Motorsports, a women-owned team, and his partners, notably Dude Wipes. "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." Alfredo acknowledged the lingering sting of missing last year’s event, stating, "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."
However, Alfredo’s hard-earned relief was short-lived. His No. 62 Chevrolet failed post-race inspection, resulting in his disqualification and removal from the Daytona 500 field. BJ McLeod, who finished behind Alfredo, is expected to inherit the spot, provided his own car passes inspection. This unfortunate turn of events highlights the stringent nature of NASCAR’s technical regulations, where even the slightest infraction can have significant consequences.
The race itself saw Chase Briscoe, starting from the outside of the front row for the Daytona 500, lead a significant portion of the early laps. Similar to Duel #1, the initial stages were characterized by fuel conservation strategies as teams aimed to maximize their fuel mileage for the entire race distance.
As the field approached the midway point, the outside lane began to gain momentum, allowing Michael McDowell to surge into the lead. The critical green-flag pit stop cycle commenced with 15 laps remaining. While the pit stops were executed without incident, Briscoe experienced a minor setback when he stopped short in his pit stall, costing him valuable time. Connor Zilisch also faced a similar issue, requiring him to pit alone.
Following the pit stop sequence, a line of Toyotas, spearheaded by Erik Jones, began to assert their presence. They skillfully navigated through a group of cars attempting to block their progress, marking the closest the field came to a potential on-track incident. Tyler Reddick briefly held the lead before Hocevar made a decisive move to take command. Elliott then capitalized on Hocevar’s strong run, taking the lead and maintaining a dominant pace to the finish.
The gallery of images from the Daytona Duels captured the intensity and precision of the qualifying races. Photos featured Chase Elliott celebrating his victory, Ryan Preece and Kyle Busch in close competition, and various shots of the packed grandstands and the iconic Daytona International Speedway, underscoring the electric atmosphere surrounding the start of the NASCAR Cup Series season. The visual recap provided fans with a comprehensive look at the key moments and personalities that defined the qualifying events.
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