{"id":55977,"date":"2026-02-12T23:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T05:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=55977"},"modified":"2026-02-13T21:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T03:13:46","slug":"joey-logano-chase-elliott-win-150-mile-duels-as-daytona-500-field-is-set","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/12\/joey-logano-chase-elliott-win-150-mile-duels-as-daytona-500-field-is-set\/","title":{"rendered":"Joey Logano, Chase Elliott win 150-mile Duels as DAYTONA 500 field is set"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"\"

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2014 Joey Logano won the fourth America 250 Florida Duel of his career on Thursday night to secure a third-place starting spot in Sunday\u2019s DAYTONA 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n

\"\"

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, takes the checkered under caution flag to win Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

In a second Duel that ran caution free, Chase Elliott took control of the race on Lap 53 of 60 and held off Carson Hocevar by 0.065 seconds to win his third 150-mile qualifying race and earn the fourth starting position for the DAYTONA 500.<\/p>\n

With an earnest push from Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, Logano was at the front of the field when NASCAR called the third caution of the first Duel on Lap 63, three laps into overtime.<\/p>\n

Both Logano and Blaney are among the favorites to win Sunday\u2019s 68th edition of the Great American Race. Blaney ran second and will start fifth in NASCAR\u2019s biggest race.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and crew celebrate in victory lane after winning Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cJust a lot of teamwork all the way through,\u201d Logano said of the win. \u201cI think about the 22 team in particular. Nick Hensley, our gas man, did a fantastic job getting us in position out of pit road. (Spotter) Coleman Pressley up on the roof giving us great information. My teammate Ryan Blaney being committed and working together.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s nice when everything works out the way it’s supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Logano has finished ninth or better in 12 straight Daytona Duels.<\/p>\n

Former DAYTONA 500 winner Austin Dillon ran third, followed by Brad Keselowski\u2014recovering from a broken right femur\u2014and John Hunter Nemechek. Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suarez, Casey Mears, Ryan Preece and Alex Bowman completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win Duel 2 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Mears came from a lap down to earn the one Open position in the DAYTONA 500 available from the first Duel. Mears advanced when fellow Open competitor Corey LaJoie\u2014running in the top five at the time\u2014turned into the outside wall in a chain-reaction collision on the final lap of overtime.<\/p>\n

Anthony Alfredo had a relatively stress-free run to claim the DAYTONA 500 spot available to Open cars in the second Duel, or so he thought. Though Alfredo finished 18th, 23 seconds ahead of BJ McLeod\u2014the next-best Open driver\u2014his finish was disallowed after post-race inspection, and McLeod will compete in the Great American Race on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning Duel 2 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

According to NASCAR Cup Series director Brad Moran, a transmission cooling hose on Alfredo’s No. 62 Chevrolet was not fastened properly, and another hose was disconnected, affecting both cooling and airflow.<\/p>\n

The complexion of the first race changed dramatically after Mears slid into the Ford of Noah Gragson coming to pit road on Lap 46. Preece had led 38 laps to that point but needed more fuel on his stop and fell back after the subsequent restart on Lap 50.<\/p>\n

Mears lost a lap because of his spin into the infield grass but regained it as the beneficiary under caution under the second caution for a five-car accident on Lap 56 that eliminated the No. 24 Chevrolet of William Byron, the two-time defending winner of the DAYTONA 500.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger\/Viva Towels Ford, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet, lead the field to start Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Byron will start Sunday\u2019s race from the rear of the field in a backup car.<\/p>\n

In the final wreck on Lap 63, Mears\u2019 No. 66 Ford nosed into the Chevrolet of Daniel Suarez after passing Lajoie\u2019s spinning Ford for the critical position. Mears had the leading Open car when NASCAR called the caution that froze the field.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hit somebody square,\u201d Mears said, unsure whether his Carl Long-owned car could be repaired or if a backup would be required. \u201cAnd I knew when I hit him flat it didn’t tear up the car too much and I was going to be able to get back (to the checkered flag).<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn’t know who was in front of me still, whether or not we made it. All the guys started going nuts on the radio.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 Castrol Ford, race during Duel 1 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sensing danger as the first Duel barreled toward a frenetic conclusion, DAYTONA 500 pole winner Kyle Busch dropped to the rear of the field after the Lap 50 restart to preserve his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet for Sunday\u2019s race. He finished 18th in the 23-car field.<\/p>\n

Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, already locked into the 500 on an Open Exemption Provisional, ran a conservative race and finished 15th.<\/p>\n

In the second Duel, Elliott led twice for nine laps and became the third Hendrick Motorsports driver to win three or more Duels. NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon leads the organization with five.<\/p>\n

\u201cA great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night,\u201d said Elliott, who is seeking his first win in the Great American Race. \u201cThere was a lot going on those last handful (of laps). Really, ever since we came off of pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, leads the field during Duel 2 for the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cHad some great support there. Carson did a great job helping me control those lanes, helping get Team Chevy for Victory Lane tonight. Certainly, owe him an appreciation for just kind of sticking with it, also pushing me well. It’s real easy to get people out of control. Appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson ran third, followed by former DAYTONA 500 winner Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell. Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland, Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin claimed positions six through 10, respectively.<\/p>\n

Chase Briscoe, who locked into the second starting position during Wednesday night\u2019s time trials, led a race-high 38 laps but fell victim to a lengthy green-flag pit stop on Lap 45, lost the draft and finished 20th.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/p>\n

Joey Logano – No. 22 Team Penske Ford – Duel 1 Race Winner –<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chase Elliott – No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet – Duel 2 Race Winner –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NCSDISChaseElliott021226.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – America 250 Florida Duel 1 at DAYTONA<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona International Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona Beach, Florida<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday, February 12, 2026<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. (6)\u00a0 Joey Logano, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. (11)\u00a0 Ryan Blaney, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3. (7)\u00a0 Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4. (10)\u00a0 Brad Keselowski, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5. (9)\u00a0 John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6. (19)\u00a0 Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7. (20)\u00a0 Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8. (22)\u00a0 Casey Mears, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9. (2)\u00a0 Ryan Preece, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10. (4)\u00a0 Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11. (13)\u00a0 Cole Custer, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12. (23)\u00a0 Noah Gragson, Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13. (16)\u00a0 Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14. (3)\u00a0 Corey Heim(i), Toyota, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15. (15)\u00a0 Jimmie Johnson, Toyota, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16. (21)\u00a0 Chandler Smith(i), Ford, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17. (14)\u00a0 Cody Ware, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18. (1)\u00a0 Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 63.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19. (8)\u00a0 Corey LaJoie, Ford, Accident, 62.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20. (17)\u00a0 AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 62.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21. (18)\u00a0 Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, Accident, 62.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22. (12)\u00a0 William Byron, Chevrolet, Accident, 55.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 23. (5)\u00a0 Chris Buescher, Ford, Accident, 55.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:\u00a0 153.867 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:\u00a0 1 Hrs, 1 Mins, 25 Secs. Margin of Victory:\u00a0 Under Caution Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:\u00a0 3 for 9 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:\u00a0 9 among 6 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:\u00a0\u00a0 K. Busch 0;R. Preece 1-3;A. Dillon 4;J. Nemechek 5-7;A. Dillon 8-9;R. Preece 10-44;C. Custer 45-47;J. Logano 48-49;C. Buescher 50;J. Logano 51-63.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):\u00a0 Ryan Preece 2 times for 38 laps; Joey Logano 2 times for 15 laps; Austin Dillon 2 times for 3 laps; Cole Custer 1 time for 3 laps; John Hunter Nemechek 1 time for 3 laps; Chris Buescher 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Race – America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona International Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona Beach, Florida<\/b><\/p>\n

Thursday, February 12, 2026<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1. (4)\u00a0 Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2. (14)\u00a0 Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3. (3)\u00a0 Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4. (10)\u00a0 Michael McDowell, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5. (6)\u00a0 Christopher Bell, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6. (13)\u00a0 Josh Berry, Ford, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7. (19)\u00a0 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8. (16)\u00a0 Todd Gilliland, Ford, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9. (5)\u00a0 Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10. (2)\u00a0 Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11. (12)\u00a0 Erik Jones, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 12. (20)\u00a0 Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13. (15)\u00a0 Riley Herbst, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 14. (9)\u00a0 Zane Smith, Ford, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15. (11)\u00a0 Connor Zilisch #, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16. (18)\u00a0 Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 17. (8)\u00a0 Austin Cindric, Ford, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18. (17)\u00a0 Anthony Alfredo(i), Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 19. (21)\u00a0 BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20. (1)\u00a0 Chase Briscoe, Toyota, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 21. (7)\u00a0 Justin Allgaier(i), Chevrolet, 60.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 22. (22)\u00a0 JJ Yeley(i), Chevrolet, 57.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:\u00a0 183.237 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:\u00a0 0 Hrs, 49 Mins, 7 Secs. Margin of Victory:\u00a0 .065 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:\u00a0 0 for\u00a0 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:\u00a0 12 among 10 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:\u00a0\u00a0 C. Briscoe 1-31;T. Dillon 32;C. Briscoe 33-39;T. Dillon 40-41;M. McDowell 42-44;*. Alfredo(i) 45;C. Zilisch # 46;R. Herbst 47;*. Allgaier(i) 48-49;T. Reddick 50;C. Elliott 51;C. Hocevar 52;C. Elliott 53-60.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):\u00a0 Chase Briscoe 2 times for 38 laps; Chase Elliott 2 times for 9 laps; Ty Dillon 2 times for 3 laps; Michael McDowell 1 time for 3 laps; * Justin Allgaier(i) 1 time for 2 laps; Tyler Reddick 1 time for 1 lap; * Anthony Alfredo(i) 1 time for 1 lap; Riley Herbst 1 time for 1 lap; Carson Hocevar 1 time for 1 lap; Connor Zilisch # 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2014 Joey Logano won the fourth America 250 Florida Duel of his career on Thursday night to secure a third-place starting spot in Sunday\u2019s DAYTONA 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). In a second Duel that ran caution free, Chase […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":55993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[500,287,154,16],"class_list":["post-55977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-chase-elliott","tag-daytona-international-speedway","tag-joey-logano","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2261337711.jpg?fit=2467%2C1677&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-eyR","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55977"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56008,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55977\/revisions\/56008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}