It’s not about how you start your race. It’s about how you finish.
Any race that takes place at a superspeedway is a crapshoot. And none prove more chaotic than those hosted at Daytona, NASCAR’s most iconic colosseum.
Thursday’s iteration of Daytona Duels proved no exception. 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell captured top honors at the qualifying races for the season-opening Daytona 500. Both drivers led just one lap of their respective races — the last one.
Reddick and Bell represent two of the sport’s brightest young talents. Yet in many ways, this year’s qualifying compeition was defined by the little guy.
Legacy Motor Club impressed in Toyota equipment, with seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson earning a spot in the Big Dance. Kaz Grala and B.J. McLeod fought to the finish for a spot in Sunday’s race, but in the end, it was Grala who nabbed glory.
All the thrills, spills and chills present in the Daytona 500 made an appearance on Thursday night. And it served as quite the introduction to the 2024 Cup Series slate, one that promises to excite the masses.
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Thursday’s Daytona Duels. Follow below for highlights and results from all the action as it happened at Daytona International Speedway.
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Daytona 500 2024 starting lineup
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1. | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 2. | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 3. | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 4. | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 5. | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 6. | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 7. | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 8. | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 9. | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 10. | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 11. | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 12. | Harrison Burton | 12 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 13 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 14. | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 15. | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 16. | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 17. | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 18. | William Byron | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 19. | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 20. | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 21. | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 22. | Justin Haley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 23. | Jimmie Johnson | 84 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 24. | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 25. | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 26. | Kaz Grala | 36 | Front Row Racing |
| 27. | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 28. | A.J. Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 29. | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 30. | Josh Berry | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 31. | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 32. | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 33. | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 34. | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 35. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 36. | Riley Herbst | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 37. | Daniel Hemric | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 38. | Noah Gragson | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 39. | Anthony Alfredo | 62 | Beard Motorsports |
| 40. | David Ragan | 60 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
Daytona Duels 2024 live updates, highlights
(All times Eastern)
9:51 p.m.: Christopher Bell displaces Hamlin after the No. 11 car places an ill-advised block on his teammate. He’ll take the checkered flag while Hamlin finishes third! Grala just outpaces McLeod to earn a spot in the Big Dance.
9:50 p.m.: Grala and McLeod battling for position to compete as open drivers in Sunday’s 500. Hamlin looking in control as we approach the final lap.
9:48 p.m.: Four laps to go. Hamlin nearly took McDowell out with a late block. Fortunately for the No. 34, he lifted enough to maintain control. But he’s way back behind his adversaries.
9:45 p.m.: Back to green. McDowell leads the way, followed by Cindric and Hamlin. Kaz Grala is in the mix as well; he’s on pace to make it into Sunday as an unchartered driver.
9:43 p.m.: Back to yellow here. Blaney’s status for Sunday’s race bears monitoring.
9:33 p.m.: RED FLAG! The cleanup crew is on the case as debris is strewn about the surface like leaves on an autumn day.
9:30 p.m.: CAUTION! It’s The Big One! More than a dozen cars involved as Byron gets into Blaney and sends the No. 12 car hard into the wall. Blaney’s car is on fire as plumes of smoke sweep across the track. Looks like the reigning Cup Series champion is out of the car. But that was a scary sight to say the least.
Big wreck. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/SrRXBwkwW8
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2024
Another look at what happened. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/xkRhSxSFlR
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2024
9:18 p.m.: Unsponsored driver BJ McLeod is in 10th place as of Lap 39. He needs to keep ahead of Kaz Grala (back in 21st place) to make the Daytona 500.
9:14 p.m.: Christopher Bell started in 16th place in the second duel and has moved his way up to second with half the race left to go.
8:51 p.m.: William Byron shuffles with McDowell for first place as we approach Lap 7. Further down the field, it looks like Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney are attempting to maintain their pace on lesser throttle — a strategy that could prove helpful come the end of the race.
8:47 p.m.: And away we go! Michael McDowell and Austin Cindric are hot off the presses as we go to green at Daytona International Speedway…again!
8:34 p.m.: Race commands have been delivered for the second duel of the night. We’re moments away from a return to action.
8:15 p.m.: Reddick takes to prize in the first duel of the day! Impressive comeback by the No. 45 car, who surpassed Johnson in the final stages to grab the second spot in the order. Johnson also secured a spot in the Daytona 500 as an open charter car. We’ll see him on Sunday.
Tyler Reddick wins Duel 1 at Daytona! Jimmie Johnson races his way in. #NASCAR #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/t9i2o7igOr
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2024
8:05 p.m.: CAUTION! Now, things will get interesting! Johnson got caught in a conflict with Austin Dillon. Doesn’t look as if he suffered a whole lot of damage. However, that will breathe new life into Yeley, who looked out of contention for a spot in Sunday’s race just a few laps ago.
Trouble. Jimmie Johnson gets caught up in it. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/j2uTETI98x
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2024
7:56 p.m.: Truex has lost his draft! Had to get a refuel at pit road. However, his car stalled out as he tried to flip it into gear. He’s completely lost the draft. Could prove costly for both Truex and the broader Daytona Duels field.
7:55 p.m.: Truex’s place near the front of the pack gave way after the hysterics between Reddick, Dillon, Johnson and Truex himself.
7:53 p.m.: What a save by Tyler Reddick, who found a way to get onto pit road to despite a scuffle ensuing between three other cars, including Johnson.
7:49 p.m.: 35 laps down. Truex still retains his spot atop the totem pole. Larson is second, followed by Johnson in third. The No. 84 car is on pace to make it to the weekend as one of the competition’s four non-chartered vehicles.
7:45 p.m.: Another leader emerges! And his name is Martin Truex Jr.! He’s never won a Great American Race in his career. Perhaps Year No. 20 is his time.
7:41 p.m.: Stenhouse still holding firm at the top. He’s led 14 of the opening 26 laps. You can see why he had the success he did in last year’s Great American Race with his showing thus far.
7:37 p.m.: LaJoie is falling fast. The No. 7 car attempted to follow Stenhouse into the bottom lane. However, there wasn’t enough space to maneuver with. He got caught in between the eastern and western front, losing out on that all important side draft. Now, he’s in the back of the pack. 21 laps down. A lifetime to go!
7:35 p.m.: Last year’s Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has now strolled to the front of the pack. Johnson hoping to keep his composure in fourth. He’s a bit loose and having some difficulties keeping his car in the corner.
7:32 p.m.: Logano not doing too well thus far. At present, he sits at P18. However, there’s a caveat. He’s sitting on the pole for Sunday’s race after impressing in yesterday’s qualifying. And it’s seeming increasingly likely that team owner Roger Penske himself told Logano to take a bit off the gas in the hopes of maintaining track position come Sunday.
7:31 p.m.: Corey LaJoie takes the lead on Lap 13! Johnson pushes the No. 7 car forward while rocketing himself up to fourth.
7:28 p.m.: It’s still early days. But if Jones’ showing in the opening few paces of tonight’s race is any indication, it could be a good year for Legacy Motor Club. Johnson hasn’t been too shabby, either, racing into the Top-10 as we approach Lap 10.
7:20 p.m.: Seven laps down and things are going swimmingly for Erik Jones. The No. 43 car has surged 11 cars up to the top spot, supplanting the likes of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Martin Truex Jr. and Daniel Suarez to lead the pack.
7:05 p.m.: And we’re off! Green means go for the first duel of the night. Joey Logano and Kyle Larson leading the proceedings.
6:30 p.m.: Speaking of returns, look who is back in the cockpit for Legacy Motor Club. None other than seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. With LMC swapping manufacturers in 2024 — the organization switched from Chevrolet to Toyota — perhaps they can find a rhythm. Johnson certainly has the pedigree.
6:20 p.m.: Lots of changes to this year’s Cup Series roster for Stewart-Haas Racing. Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola are out of the driver’s seat in the No. 4 and No. 10 cars, respectively. In their stead are Josh Berry and Noah Gragson. Berry impressed as Chase Elliott’s understudy when the Hendrick Motorsports star missed five races due to injury and suspension.
Meanwhile, Gragson struggled at Legacy Motor Club before being let go due to liking racist posts surrounding George Floyd’s murder.
Duel 1 starting lineup
| Pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske |
| 2 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 3 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 4 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 5 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 6 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 7 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 8 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 9 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 10 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 11 | Anthony Alfredo | 62 | Beard Motorsports |
| 12 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 13 | Daniel Hemric | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 14 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 15 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 16 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daughtery Racing |
| 17 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 18 | Jimmie Johnson | 84 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 19 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 20 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 21 | JJ Yeley | 44 | NY Racing |
Duel 2 starting lineup
| Pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
| 1 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 2 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 3 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 4 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 5 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 6 | Riley Herbst | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 7 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 8 | Noah Gragson | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 9 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske |
| 10 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 11 | Josh Berry | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 12 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 13 | David Ragan | 60 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 14 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 15 | Justin Haley | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 16 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 17 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 18 | Zane Smith | 71 | Spire Motorsports |
| 19 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 20 | BJ McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |
| 21 | Kaz Grala | 36 | Front Row Motorsports |
Daytona Duels 2024 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.
Daytona Duels 2024 TV channel
- TV networks: FS1 (U.S.), TSN (Canada)
- Live stream: FoxSports.com, Fox Sports App, 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 Fox Sports platforms or fubo, which offers a free trial.
