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Busch Secures Pole for 2026 Daytona 500 Race

2/12/2026

47 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Busch Secures Pole

Kyle Busch earned the pole for the 2026 Daytona 500.
He will start on the front row beside Chase Briscoe.
Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier also locked in spots.
The remaining two spots will be decided in Duel races on Thursday night.
Duel #1 will feature Corey LaJoie, Casey Mears, and Chandler Smith along with Duel #2 featuring Anthony Alfredo, B.J. McLeod, and J.J. Yeley, with points awarded to top finishers.

Summary

Duel Races Announced

The 2026 Daytona 500 qualifying races, named the America 250 Florida Duel, will take place February 12, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
Duel 1 starts at 7:00 p.m. ET, with Duel 2 at 8:45 p.m. ET.
FS1 will broadcast the races nationally, and Fubo will offer a free trial for new users.
The starting grids for both duels will determine the final Daytona 500 qualifying spots.

History

Historical Context

The inaugural Daytona 500 took place in 1959, establishing itself as a cornerstone of NASCAR, with over 40,000 fans attending. Founded by Bill France Sr., the race has evolved into the premier event of the NASCAR Cup Series, influencing racing formats and fan engagement. Today, it remains a significant cultural event, often referred to as "The Great American Race."

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Busch Secures Pole

Kyle Busch earned the pole for the 2026 Daytona 500.
He will start on the front row beside Chase Briscoe.
Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier also locked in spots.
The remaining two spots will be decided in Duel races on Thursday night.
Duel #1 will feature Corey LaJoie, Casey Mears, and Chandler Smith along with Duel #2 featuring Anthony Alfredo, B.J. McLeod, and J.J. Yeley, with points awarded to top finishers.

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