Daytona Beach, FL – Bubba Wallace just punched his ticket to the front of the pack for the Daytona 500, and he did it in style. With a crucial push from 23XI Racing teammate Tyler Reddick, Wallace stormed past defending Daytona 500 champion William Byron to win Duel 1 in an electrifying finish at Daytona International Speedway.
The victory secures Wallace the third starting spot for Sunday’s “Great American Race”, but it was anything but easy—especially with chaos unfolding behind him.
Bubba Wallace Finally Gets His Duel Win
For years, Wallace has watched other drivers celebrate Duel wins while he came up short. But not this time. After leading the most laps (20) of the 60-lap showdown, Wallace’s No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry crossed the finish line just 0.082 seconds ahead of Byron, marking a major moment in his career.
“Thanks to Tyler (Reddick),” Wallace said post-race. “That was awesome to see two team cars work together that well and learn a lot for Sunday. Did a great job pushing me. Our McDonald’s Toyota Camry was really fast… I’ve wanted one of these Duel wins for so long. All my buddies got one. Tyler got one last year. I was p—– off. I got one now. I’m good.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports Make History in Duel 1
The race wasn’t just a big deal for Wallace—it was a historic moment for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports. With a gutsy, last-lap move to the high line, Justin Allgaier secured the final transfer spot for the Daytona 500, ensuring JR Motorsports will make its NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Daytona 500 winner, was overcome with emotion after watching his driver pull it off:
“This was rough emotionally, but damn it, it worked out,” Earnhardt said. “This means a lot to our team, this little team of JR Motorsports. Dale Jr. is an amazing race car driver. He’s an amazing dad, car owner. You can tell how much he wanted this and our whole shop wanted this.”
Duel 2: Controversy Strikes as NASCAR Rescinds Erik Jones’ Win
If Duel 1 was a thrill ride, Duel 2 was a full-blown controversy.
Austin Cindric was awarded the official win, but Erik Jones was the first to cross the finish line—and that’s where things got messy.
Just before the checkered flag, a massive wreck unfolded behind the leaders, bringing out the caution flag. According to NASCAR rules, the field is frozen at the moment of caution, and after reviewing the footage, officials determined that Cindric had a razor-thin edge over Jones when the caution was thrown.
Jones, who had already celebrated on the front stretch, was devastated when the news broke.
“Yeah, I mean that’s the rules and that’s their (NASCAR’s) call,” Jones said. “So, it’s part of it. But yeah, I’ve never been in that spot, so it’s a bummer. Would have loved to start out with a win.”
Co-owner Jimmie Johnson didn’t hold back, venting his frustration right after the call was made:
“You’re still a winner to me… That’s bull**.”**
Corey LaJoie Races His Way into the Daytona 500
Without a full-time ride in 2025, Corey LaJoie knew this was his one shot. The driver of the No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford delivered a clutch sixth-place finish in Duel 2, locking himself into the Daytona 500 field.
“You forget how special this race is until you have to race for it,” LaJoie said after the checkered flag.
Big Names in the Mix for Sunday’s Daytona 500
With the starting grid set, here’s who to watch for in the 2025 Daytona 500:
Top Finishers in Duel 1:
🏁 1st – Bubba Wallace
🥈 2nd – William Byron
🥉 3rd – Ty Dillon
🔥 Other Notables: Ross Chastain (4th), Tyler Reddick (5th), Austin Dillon (7th), Chase Elliott (8th), Kyle Busch (10th).
Top Finishers in Duel 2:
🏁 1st – Austin Cindric (via NASCAR ruling)
🥈 2nd – Erik Jones
🥉 3rd – Chris Buescher
🔥 Other Notables: Denny Hamlin (4th), Joey Logano (5th), Corey LaJoie (6th), Ryan Blaney (8th), Christopher Bell (10th).
Who Missed the Cut?
Unfortunately, Anthony Alfredo and BJ McLeod failed to make the Daytona 500 field.
What’s Next? The Great American Race!
Now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s Daytona 500 (2:30 PM ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), where Wallace, Cindric, and a stacked field will battle for NASCAR’s biggest prize.
Can Wallace turn his Duel win into his first-ever Daytona 500 victory? Will Cindric go back-to-back? Or will we see a shocking upset? Strap in—Sunday is going to be a wild ride!
