For Anthony Alfredo, the 2025 Daytona 500 Duel was a cruel reminder of just how cutthroat NASCAR’s biggest stage can be. Despite a valiant effort behind the wheel of the No. 62 Chevrolet for Beard Motorsports, the Connecticut native failed to qualify for the Great American Race, falling just short in a manufacturer-dominated battle.
From Front to Fading Hopes
Starting the race buried in the pack, Alfredo fought his way forward, making up ground throughout the midsection of the Duel. At one point, with 19 laps to go, he climbed to P4, seemingly putting himself in a position to secure his spot in the Daytona 500 field.
But then came the pit window, a crucial moment that often separates contenders from pretenders at superspeedways. And unfortunately for Alfredo, Ford teams had the perfect game plan.
“The story of my life,” Alfredo said, speaking to Bob Pockrass after the race. “I’ve been trying to win these kinds of races for a long time, and obviously, it’s not just about winning—it’s about making the Daytona 500. And at least I could say I did everything I could.”
But it wasn’t enough.
Despite surviving a Lap 48 wreck, Alfredo found himself outnumbered, unable to build momentum in a late-race dash controlled by Ford teams. He needed to beat Corey LaJoie’s No. 1 Ford Mustang, but the Ford alliances worked perfectly, pushing LaJoie into P6 in Duel 2 and sending Alfredo home.
“My Chevy teammates did all they could at times to help, but we were just outnumbered,” Alfredo said. “At the end, if I stayed in line, I certainly wasn’t going to make the race, so I tried to do something—but nobody went with me.”
A Missed Opportunity, But No Regrets
Alfredo, who previously made two Daytona 500 appearances (2021, 2024), knew this one hurt the most.
“Wanted to be racing on Sunday. This was a disappointing moment in my career, for sure,” he admitted.
While his Cup dreams ended, another driver’s story took a different turn—as Justin Allgaier and JR Motorsports punched their ticket to their first-ever Cup Series start.
JRM’s Historic Breakthrough
It was a landmark night for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, as Allgaier piloted the No. 40 Chevrolet into the big show. JRM has long been a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, and now, they’re making waves in the Cup Series—finally breaking through in NASCAR’s biggest race.
It wasn’t easy. The Duel races are known for their chaos, intensity, and career-defining moments. But JRM found a way, and Allgaier will take the green flag on Sunday in the Daytona 500.
The Highs and Lows of the Duel
For Alfredo, it’s heartbreak. For JRM, it’s history.
That’s the beauty—and the brutality—of Daytona Speedweeks.