The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season begins with the most prestigious event on the calendar, the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Unlike other races on the circuit, qualifying for the Daytona 500 involves a unique format that includes two rounds of single-car qualifying and a pair of 60-lap Duel races, which ultimately determine the starting lineup for the “Great American Race.”
Guaranteed Spots and Open Entries
The 40-car field for the Daytona 500 consists of 36 drivers from Chartered teams, who are guaranteed a spot in the race. Their starting positions are determined through a combination of single-car qualifying and the Duel races. The remaining four spots are filled by drivers in non-Chartered, or Open, cars.
The two fastest non-Charter cars in single-car qualifying will lock themselves into the field, with the option to improve their starting position in the Duel races. The final two positions are awarded to the highest-finishing non-Charter car in each Duel race.
Open Exemption Provisional
NASCAR has introduced a new rule for the 2025 season called the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP). This provisional can be granted to a special or invited entrant on a case-by-case basis. For the 2025 Daytona 500, NASCAR has announced that Hélio Castroneves, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, will be awarded the OEP if needed. Castroneves can still qualify for the race through the standard procedure, but if he doesn’t, he will start in the 41st position as a special entrant.
Single-Car Qualifying
The single-car qualifying session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 12, at 8 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Each driver will complete one timed lap around the 2.5-mile superspeedway, with the top 10 fastest drivers advancing to Round 2. In the final round, the two fastest drivers will secure their spots on the front row for the Daytona 500, with the fastest driver claiming the pole position.
Duel Races and Starting Lineup
The Duel races, held on Thursday, February 13 (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), consist of two 60-lap, 150-mile qualifying races that determine positions 3-40 in the Daytona 500 starting lineup. The lineups for the Duel races are set based on the qualifying speed chart, with odd-numbered qualifiers (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) competing in Duel 1 and even-numbered qualifiers (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) racing in Duel 2. NASCAR ensures an equal number of Charter and non-Charter cars in each Duel race.
The finishing order from Duel 1 will make up the inside rows (odd-numbered positions) for the Daytona 500, while the results from Duel 2 will determine the outside rows (even-numbered positions).
Points in the Duel Races
The top 10 finishers in each Duel race will be awarded points that count toward the regular season standings. The winner of each Duel will receive 10 points, with second place earning nine points, and so on, down to one point for the 10th-place finisher. No playoff points will be awarded for winning a Duel race.
With the unique qualifying format and the introduction of the Open Exemption Provisional, the 2025 Daytona 500 is set to be an exciting and unpredictable start to the NASCAR Cup Series season. Fans can see the single-car qualifying, Duel races, and main event schedule here.
