NASCAR has a new format to qualifying for the Daytona 500. For the first time, qualifying which traditionally features single-car runs, will switch to a group qualifying format to set the front row positions. The results from qualifying will also set the field for the Budweiser Duel at Daytona 150-mile qualifying races on Thursday, February 19 on Fox Sports 1 at 7 pm ET. The results from the Budweiser Duel will complete the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 on February 22 on FOX at 1 pm ET.
FOX will air live Daytona 500 qualifying at 1:30 pm ET on Sunday, February 15 from Daytona International Speedway.
Here’s how it will work:
Round 1
- There are two groups based on a random draw. Group 1, those with odd numbers go first with a seven-minute break before Group 2, those with even numbers start their session, with each group session at five minutes.
10 minute break before Round 2 begins
Round 2
- Top-24 fastest cars from Group 1 and 2, in Round 1 advance for the Round 2 five-minute session.
7 minute break before Round 3 begins
Round 3
- Top 12 fastest cars from Round 2 advance for the Round 3 five-minute session.
The random draw was held Saturday, February 14 to decide Round 1 odd/even groups as follows:
