Setting the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 is a singular event unlike any other in NASCAR; it involves a qualifying run and two races.
Now squashed into just a few days, on Wednesday the drivers will make a single car qualifying run to set the front row. All of the drivers will make a single lap with the fastest 10 drivers moving on to a second lap to set the pole.
On Thursday night the drivers will be divided into two groups based on how they qualified for the two Duel races. Duel one will set the inside lane and Duel two will set the outside lane.
The top 36 starting spots will go to the 36 chartered teams with the four remaining spots going to one of the open spots – two on time after qualifying and two from the Duel races.
This year NASCAR has added a 41st starting spot for the Open Exemption Provisional which will be given to a special invited driver. Currently that spot belongs to Helio Castroneves; but he can improve his starting spot via the Duel race. Castroneves will be in the Trackhouse Racing Project 91 car.
The Duel races are 60 laps – 150 miles – in length.
This year the top 10 drivers from each Duel will earn regular season points – no playoff points will be awarded for the Duel races. The winners get 10 points each, second gets nine, and so on til the tenth place driver receives a single point.