DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Casey Mears earned one of the last two openings in the Daytona 500 field Thursday night by finishing eighth in the opening 150-mile qualifying race, part of the America 250 Florida Duel events. The decisive moment came when Corey LaJoie crashed on the final lap, allowing Mears to advance into the 41-car lineup for Sunday’s race, held at 2:30 p.m. ET with coverage on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Impact of the Final-Lap Crash and Other Key Competitors
Mears’ advancement eliminated Corey LaJoie and Chandler Smith from qualifying for the Daytona 500. LaJoie was running sixth before being caught in a last-lap multi-car wreck, while Smith, driving the No. 36 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, was sidelined following contact during a tangle on Lap 55, finishing 16th. Despite a pit-road incident involving Noah Gragson on Lap 45, Mears maintained his position to secure his spot.
Background on Drivers and Upcoming Qualifying Battle
This qualification marks Mears’ 14th Daytona 500 start but his first since 2019. LaJoie was aiming for his 10th consecutive appearance in the race, and Smith missed his opportunity at a first Daytona 500 start. The remaining Daytona 500 slot will be decided in the second Duel race, where Anthony Alfredo, BJ McLeod, and J.J. Yeley will compete for the final starting position.
Outlook for the Remainder of the Daytona 500 Field
The closing qualifying race will determine which driver claims the final spot on the starting grid for Sunday’s event. Following a night of intense competition and incidents, the Daytona 500 lineup is nearly set, highlighting the unpredictable and fiercely competitive nature of the Great American Race’s lead-in events.
