Daytona 500 qualifying is completely different than any other race on the NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule. The drivers compete in standard time trials, but then also hold two races to set the starting lineup. Here is an explanation of how qualifying for the Daytona 500 works.
Sunday Before The Daytona 500
First, the front row is locked in based on qualifying time trials that happen on the Sunday before the Daytona 500. Each driver gets two laps alone on the track to post their best speed.
The top two drivers from that qualifying session are locked in and will start the Daytona 500 from the front row.
Thursday
On Thursday before the Daytona 500 the Gatorade Duels are lined up based on last weekend's qualifying speeds. These two 150-mile races will set the final starting lineup for the Daytona 500.
Drivers that qualified in odd-numbered spots run the first race to set the lineup for the odd-numbered (inside line) starting positions and those in the even-numbered spots run the second race to set the lineup for the even-numbered (outside line) starting spots.
Guaranteed Starters
Based on NASCAR rules the top 35 in car owner points from the previous season are guaranteed starting spots. Those drivers are only racing for their position on the starting grid, nothing more.
Rounding Out The Field
This leaves eight spots open to other drivers which are assigned like this: The top two drivers in each Gatorade Duel that are not already guaranteed a starting spot get into the Daytona 500.
The next three spots go to the fastest three qualifiers based on the single-car time trials from Sunday.
The final spot is guaranteed for a previous Sprint Cup Champion who was unable to qualify any other way. If there is no unqualified past champion then the 43rd spot goes to the next fastest qualifier based on speed from the single-car session.
It is a complex process but it is part of what makes the Daytona 500 such a special event.
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