Chase Elliott stormed to victory at the 2026 NASCAR Cup Duel 2 at Daytona as Anthony Alfredo secured an emotional transfer spot into the Daytona 500 but was disqualified post-race.
The event unfolded under the lights in a remarkably clean 60-lap battle that featured no cautions, contrasting sharply with Duel 1 chaos, and highlighted the strategic prowess of Chevrolet drivers amid a field packed with talent hungry for starting spots for the Great American Race.
From the drop of the green flag, the field of 22 cars—split between charter teams, qualifiers, and open entries—settled into tight packs characteristic of Daytona’s restrictor-plate racing, where alliances formed early and positioning was paramount.
Chase Elliott piloting the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet started from a solid mid-pack position after single-car qualifying and methodically worked his way forward through the opening stages, conserving fuel and tires while avoiding the aggressive pushes that often lead to trouble at the 2.5-mile tri-oval.
Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson, fresh off a long-term contract extension, shadowed him closely in the No. 5 Valvoline Chevrolet, demonstrating the team’s superior drafting synergy honed during Speedweeks practices.
As laps ticked by without caution interruptions, the race emphasized endurance over restarts with drivers like Carson Hocevar in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet pushing hard from the front, leading stretches and testing the limits of his draft-dependent machine.
Elliott’s breakthrough came in the late stages, around lap 55, when he surged ahead with a decisive move low through turns three and four, capitalizing on a momentary gap created by Hocevar’s wide exit line.
He held the point for the final six laps, fending off relentless pressure from Carson Hocevar who closed to within 0.065 seconds at the checkered flag in a heart-pounding finish.
This victory awarded Elliott 10 championship points—tying him with Duel 1 winner Joey Logano atop the early standings—and positioned the No. 9 car fourth on the 2026 Daytona 500 starting grid.
“That was a great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night,” Elliott said. “There was a lot going on ever since we came off pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.
“I had some great support there. Carson did a great job helping me control those lanes and helping get Team Chevy to victory lane tonight. So, certainly, owe him an appreciation for sticking with it and also pushing me well.
“I’m really proud of all the effort – everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, the boss, from top to bottom, their commitment and will to win is pretty darn high. I’m proud to be a part of their team and have a good night. I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
Full 2026 NASCAR Duel 2 at Daytona Results
Full 2026 NASCAR Duel 1 at Daytona Results
Anthony Alfredo disqualified after failing post-race inspection
Anthony Alfredo driving the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet capitalized on a steady run to finish 18th, edging out rivals BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley to earn one of the final open spots for the 2026 Daytona 500.
However, Alfredo’s car failed post-race inspection as NASCAR officials found hoses that were not properly tightened, or disconnected altogether and he was disqualified from Sunday’s race.
BJ McLeod effectively inherited the final spot for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 after his car cleared inspection.
“During inspection, we noticed this hose, which is a transmission cooling, transaxle cooling hose,” NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said. “It comes off at the right side quarter window and it’s supposed to go into the transaxle cooler. It needs to be air tight and fastened.
“We make rules as you all know that no parts can fall off the car, for obvious reasons. We don’t say what the intent is but these parts have to be fastened properly and unfortunately this one piece wasn’t on the right side.
“There was also another hose disconnected for driver cooling which affects air flow for superspeedway. We all know the importance of that.”
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