On Thursday, February 12, Chase Elliott took the lead in the America 250 Florida Duel 2 race at Daytona International Speedway, securing a thrilling win that advances his position for the upcoming Daytona 500. Starting in fourth place, Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion from Dawsonville, Georgia, strategically battled at the front throughout the 60-lap event. His decisive pass on Carson Hocevar with eight laps remaining proved to be the turning point for the race’s final outcome.
Early Race Dynamics and Key Competitors
Before the green flag dropped, Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin lined up on the front row, with Briscoe claiming the pole position for the Duel 2 and Hamlin qualifying fourth fastest in the prior sessions. At the start, Briscoe accelerated from the outside lane, quickly taking the lead past Hamlin and settling in front through the first lap. Both drivers separated themselves slightly from the tightly packed field that spread into three racing lanes in the opening laps.
Meanwhile, teammates Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson engaged in close competition among the top runners, alongside Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, who also share team affiliations with Briscoe and Hamlin. Erik Jones made a charge from an outside lane, accompanied by BJ McLeod, showcasing the battle for position within the top ten early on.
Mid-Race Battles and Lead Changes
Through the mid-point of the race, Briscoe and Hamlin maintained the leading duo amid strong pressure from competitors including Elliott and Larson. Around lap 20, the field saw a growing gap, with all 22 starters separated by nearly two seconds, underlining the high-speed intensity. Elliott attempted to gain ground but faced challenges in a three-wide tussle involving Hamlin and Ty Dillon on the frontstretch, temporarily slowing his advance.
By lap 30, the race featured stacked lanes led by Hamlin and Elliott, with Ty Dillon and other contenders fighting to mix in the leaders. Notably, Anthony Alfredo achieved a key position among open competitors, holding a spot that could secure his Daytona 500 qualification.
Lead changes began to pick up, as Ty Dillon used drafting support from Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to lead laps briefly on the outside line. Riley Herbst also made a move aided by JJ Yeley’s push, driving a third line close to the outside wall in a bold attempt to challenge the front runners.
Late-Race Strategy and Pit Stops Shape the Final Stages
With 16 laps remaining, green-flag pit stops commenced, disrupting the race order as several frontrunners, including Briscoe, Elliott, Hamlin, Erik Jones, and BJ McLeod, made stops mostly for fuel. Following the stops, McDowell and Alfredo briefly led with strong drafting help, but the lead shuffled repeatedly among contenders during the pit cycle.
By 13 laps to go, Riley Herbst led the pack to pit road, and after all pit stops cycled through, Justin Allgaier temporarily held the lead despite not having pitted, while Tyler Reddick emerged as the top competitor who had already completed a stop.
Final Laps Intensity and Elliott’s Winning Pass
The final 10 laps intensified as the competitive draft saw drivers bumping and jostling aggressively. Tyler Reddick led the pack momentarily but lacked drafting support, which allowed Hocevar and Elliott to overtake him swiftly. Elliott executed an assertive move beneath Hocevar on the backstretch before turning up the pace to seize the lead with eight laps remaining.
Elliott defended his position against Hamlin and Hocevar through the frontstretch and the turns despite repeated pressure. As the white flag signaled the last lap, Elliott held firm ahead of Hocevar, Larson, McDowell, and Stenhouse. Hocevar closed in on Elliott’s rear bumper but was unable to make a decisive move without drafting help, allowing Elliott to maintain control to the finish.
Significance of Elliott’s Triumph and Its Impact on Daytona 500
Elliott’s victory in this Duel race marks his first Daytona Duel win since 2018 and ties him with legendary drivers such as Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, and Buddy Baker as a three-time winner of The Duel at Daytona. This win also brings Hendrick Motorsports its 17th Duel victory, contributing to Chevrolet’s 54th overall success in these qualifying events.
With the win, Elliott was awarded 10 bonus points and earned the fourth starting position for Sunday’s 68th running of the Daytona 500, where he aims to become the 44th driver to claim victory in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious races. The Daytona 500 will officially commence on February 15 at 2:30 p.m. ET, with coverage broadcast on FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM, and HBO MAX.
Post-Race Disqualification Alters Starting Lineup
Anthony Alfredo initially secured a qualifying spot for the Daytona 500 by finishing as the highest open competitor in 17th place. However, he and his No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet were disqualified following post-race inspection due to a loose transaxle cooling hose and an improper driver cooling hose. This penalty relegated Alfredo to the back of the starting order in 22nd place.
Consequently, BJ McLeod, who finished directly behind Alfredo in 18th and passed inspection, was granted a starting position for the Daytona 500. This marks McLeod’s sixth Daytona 500 start and his first since 2023. JJ Yeley and Alfredo are the two open competitors from this Duel who will miss the main event after the final running order was adjusted.
Complete Finishing Order Highlights Intense Competition
The second Duel featured 12 lead changes among 10 different leaders and remarkably had no cautions, with all but one competitor finishing on the lead lap. Chase Briscoe led the most laps at 38 before a slow final pit stop thwarted his chances, resulting in a 20th place finish.
The top 10 finishers after Elliott and Hocevar were Kyle Larson in third, Michael McDowell in fourth, and Christopher Bell rounding out the top five. Josh Berry, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Todd Gilliland, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin completed the top ten positions, underscoring the competitive field throughout the race.
Official Daytona Duel 2 Results
1. Chase Elliott (9 laps led)
2. Carson Hocevar (1 lap led)
3. Kyle Larson
4. Michael McDowell (3 laps led)
5. Christopher Bell
6. Josh Berry
7. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
8. Todd Gilliland
9. Ty Gibbs
10. Denny Hamlin
11. Erik Jones
12. Tyler Reddick (1 lap led)
13. Riley Herbst (1 lap led)
14. Zane Smith
15. Connor Zilisch (1 lap led)
16. Ty Dillon (3 laps led)
17. Austin Cindric
18. BJ McLeod
19. Chase Briscoe (38 laps led)
20. Justin Allgaier (2 laps led)
21. JJ Yeley (3 laps down)
22. Anthony Alfredo – Disqualified (1 lap led)
Elliott Reflects on Triumphant Night and Upcoming Challenge
That was a great way to get the blood pumping, for sure, on a Thursday night,
Elliott said on the frontstretch on FS1.
There was a lot going on. Those last handful, really ever since we came off of pit road after the [pit] cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun. Had some great support there. Carson [Hocevar] did a great job helping me to control those lanes, helping get Team Chevy to Victory Lane tonight. So certainly, I owe him an appreciation for just sticking with it and also pushing me well. It’s really easy to get people out of control. Good night. Looking forward to Sunday.
?Chase Elliott, Driver
This victory not only adds to Elliott’s decorated career but positions him strongly for Sunday’s race, where he will attempt to capture the coveted Daytona 500 title. With a well-executed race strategy, teamwork, and resilience against fierce competition, Elliott remains a top contender as the 78th NASCAR Cup Series season officially begins.
