The starting lineup for the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500 is officially set after an intense night of racing in the 150 mile Duels at Daytona International Speedway. Joey Logano and Chase Elliott came out on top in their respective races, locking themselves into strong starting spots for Sunday’s Great American Race.

Logano won the first Duel in a race that needed overtime to decide the winner. With help from Team Penske teammate Ryan Blaney, Logano powered to the front and was leading when a late caution froze the field. The win gives Logano the third starting position for Sunday’s race. Blaney finished second and will roll off fifth, putting both Penske drivers in prime position for the 500.

Logano said the victory was the result of strong teamwork, from pit road to spotter communication to drafting help on the track. That teamwork showed all night as the Penske Fords worked together at the front of the field.

Austin Dillon finished third in the first Duel, followed by Brad Keselowski and John Hunter Nemechek. Ryan Preece, who led a race high 38 laps, looked strong for much of the night but lost track position after a pit stop and finished ninth. Kyle Busch, who won the pole during time trials, dropped to the rear late in the race to avoid trouble and protect his car for Sunday. He ended up 18th.

The first Duel also had major implications for open drivers trying to race their way into the 500. Casey Mears battled back from a spin and being a lap down to secure the open spot available in that race. A late crash involving Corey LaJoie helped Mears move into position. William Byron, the two time defending DAYTONA 500 winner, was caught in an earlier accident and will have to go to a backup car, forcing him to start from the rear on Sunday.

The second Duel was much cleaner and ran caution free. Chase Elliott took control late in the 60 lap race and held off Carson Hocevar in a thrilling finish. Elliott won by just 0.065 seconds, earning the fourth starting position for the 500. It was his third career Duel win and another strong showing for Hendrick Motorsports.

Elliott said the closing laps were intense, with drivers battling for position and trying to control both drafting lanes. Hocevar gave him a strong push but could not quite get around him at the line. Kyle Larson finished third, followed by Michael McDowell and Christopher Bell.

Chase Briscoe led a race high 38 laps in the second Duel but lost the draft after a long green flag pit stop and finished 20th. Even so, he remains locked into the second starting position thanks to his qualifying effort earlier in the week.

There was also late drama involving Anthony Alfredo. Although he finished well ahead of BJ McLeod among the open drivers, Alfredo failed post race inspection due to an issue with a transmission cooling hose. As a result, McLeod was awarded the open spot in the field.

Now, the focus shifts to Sunday afternoon. With Logano, Blaney, Elliott, and several former champions near the front, the stage is set for another unpredictable DAYTONA 500. The Duels gave fans a preview of the speed, teamwork, and chaos that Daytona always delivers. If Thursday night was any sign, the Great American Race is shaping up to be a battle from start to finish.