Kyle Busch Grabs First Daytona 500 Pole; Duels Finalize Starting Grid for Sunday
Kyle Busch will lead the field to the green flag in the 68th running of the Daytona 500 after a clean qualifying run and a strong showing in Thursday night's Duel race. The pole, the first of Busch's Daytona 500 attempts, capped a tense build-up to NASCAR's biggest race and left the rest of the field sorting out strategy for Sunday afternoon (ET).
Qualifying speed and Duel results shape the front row
Busch posted the fastest qualifying time overall, breaking the 49-second barrier and ultimately locking down the top starting spot. He followed that up by leading Duel 1 on Thursday night (ET), which set the inside lane for the Daytona 500. Chase Briscoe, who was the only other driver to seriously challenge for the top times, will start on the outside of the front row after a solid qualifying run and a strong performance in Duel 2.
Busch arrives at Daytona with a storied Cup Series résumé but without the marquee Daytona 500 win on his resume. This pole — earned on his 21st attempt at the event — gives him track position and momentum heading into what is expected to be a fiercely contested 200-plus lap race Sunday afternoon (ET).
Duels narrow the field; lineup and penalties affect final grid
Thursday night's 150-mile Duels were decisive for drivers and teams fighting for the remaining spots in the Great American Race. Forty-one entries will now take the green, while four teams packed up and left Daytona after failing to secure a berth. The Duels also settled the inside and outside lane orders that will be critical on Lap 1 and throughout the opening stages.
Beyond the front row, the Duel outcomes set much of the running order: Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar, Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson headline the early pack in key positions that can dictate early pit strategy and drafting partners. Veteran racers like Brad Keselowski and Michael McDowell will also be in the mix up front, while younger contenders and newcomers will look to leverage drafting alliances to move forward.
Not all results stood. One entry that initially qualified Duel 2 was disallowed after failing post-race inspection, leaving that team with work to do and changing the makeup of the final field. The disqualification served as a reminder of the strict technical standards that govern Daytona race weekends and the fine margins that can determine whether a team moves on to the biggest race of the season.
What to watch on Sunday (ET)
With the lineup set, much of the focus will be on strategy, drafting lanes and weather. Rain remains a variable that could alter plans for teams that prefer to be aggressive early versus those planning for a late-race surge. The inside-outside lane split determined by the Duels will create immediate tactical decisions at the drop of the green flag, particularly for drivers starting in the top 10 who can control early pace.
Kyle Busch's pole gives him the clear advantage of track position, but history at Daytona shows that pole-sitters must still navigate pack dynamics, potential multi-car incidents and timely pit stops to convert starting position into a win. For Busch — a two-time Cup champion who is still seeking his first Daytona 500 victory — Sunday offers both the promise of a signature triumph and the familiar uncertainty that defines superspeedway racing.
As teams finalize setups and crews make last-minute adjustments, the Daytona 500 lineup is set and attention now shifts to the race itself. The field will roll off Sunday afternoon (ET) with 200 scheduled laps and the chance for a new chapter in Daytona lore.
