Chase Elliott won the second Duel qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday night in a caution-free event, a stark contrast to the chaotic first Duel earlier in the evening. Elliott, driving the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, secured the victory over Carson Hocevar, Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, and Christopher Bell.
The race concluded without a single caution flag, a development that followed a recent clarification from NASCAR regarding its yellow flag policy. The policy discussion was prompted by the finish of the 2026 Daytona 500, where a multi-car crash on the final lap did not result in a caution, allowing the race to finish under green. This decision sparked debate among drivers and fans about potential changes to how cautions are handled.
NASCAR officials have stated that no new waiting rule was introduced this season, and that decisions regarding cautions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of track conditions, safety considerations, and driver escape paths. Mike Forde emphasized that the specific layout of Daytona International Speedway, with its significant runoff area, played a role in the decision not to caution during the Daytona 500. He explained that a similar incident at a track with limited runoff, such as Atlanta, could elicit a different response.
“We may spot a hit that looks hard, a nose-into-the-wall collision that bent the front clip, and we need to get safety trucks out there as soon as possible. We did not see that in Daytona,” Forde said, according to NASCAR.com’s Nate Ryan. The sanctioning body continues to gather feedback from drivers as it evaluates its caution procedures.
Elliott expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the collaborative effort with Carson Hocevar to control the race’s final stages. “A great way to get the blood pumping for sure on a Thursday night,” Elliott said. “There was a lot going on those last handful, really ever since we came off of pit road after the cycle, we were getting after it. It was a lot of fun.”
The second Duel qualifying race also determined the final open spot in the Daytona 500 field, which was secured by Anthony Alfredo, after a battle with BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley.
The Fresh from Florida 250 Truck Series race on Friday also saw NASCAR hold a yellow flag, leading to more exciting racing, according to reports.
