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)
8:30 p.m.: Joey Logano wins the first duel! Casey Mears gets in, too!
8:25 p.m.: CAUTION! Corey LaJoie twists, turns and falls out of the pack -- and contention for an open charter into the Daytona 500 -- after colliding with the wall. We'll return for one more overtime.
8:15 p.m.: CAUTION! After climbing out to the top of the pack, Bubba Wallace goes spinning after facing a bump from Austin Dillon! We're headed to overtime! Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano will set things off with just two laps left.
7:58 p.m.: CAUTION! The yellow flag billows as Casey Mears gets into Noah Gragson after spinning on the infield grass. That's the first caution of the race! And that should bring a procession of cars into pit road.
7:50 p.m.: Preece continues to hold firm as the race leader. Busch has fallen off a fair bit, dropping to sixth in the field. Things have been clean so far, with a green flag pit stop appearing to be on the horizon -- at least at the moment.
7:40 p.m.: Through 25 or so laps, Preece leads the way, pacing the pack at a speed around 190 mph. Chris Buescher isn't too far behind.
7:20 p.m.: And we're off! Kyle Busch and Ryan Preece lead the way in the first of 100 laps!
7:15 p.m.: Duel 1 drivers have started their engines! The first race will start in the next five or so minutes.
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 1: 7 p.m. ET
- 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)
- Live stream:Fubo
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.