The Daytona 500 first row is set but the Can-Am Duel races determine the rest of Sunday’s starting grid. Find out how to watch the Can Am-Duel below.
Sunday’s Advance Auto Parts Clash presented a great appetizer for the Daytona 500, which is slated for Sunday, Feb. 26. Denny Hamlin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned the two front row positions during Sunday’s qualifying. The rest of the order is determined by Thursday’s Can-Am Duel.
The Can Am-Duel is split into two separate races. One race sets the left side of each row while the other race cements the right side of the starting grid. Each race is 150 miles in length over 60 laps.
Two more Open spots (meaning the teams without NASCAR Charters) will come from the Can-Am Duel. Timmy Hill, Reed Sorenson, and DJ Kennington are the four open drivers competing for two spots in the Daytona 500. As a result of being the fastest two open cars during Daytona 500 qualifying, Brendan Gaughan and Elliott Sadler already earned spots in The Great American Race.
The fastest non-Charter team to finish each duel race qualify for the Daytona 500. This year’s Can Am-Duel holds more importance as points are awarded to the top 10 finishers in each event. Each event winner earns 10 points, down to one point for coming in tenth. Essentially, each Duel winner heads into the Daytona 500 tied as points leaders.
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The first duel takes place at 7:00 p.m. ET, while the second race will take place at approximately 9:00 p.m. ET. Both events air on Fox Sports 1 and can be streamed via Fox Sports Go, which requires cable authentication.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 23, 2016
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Television: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Hamlin and Earnhardt Jr. should still race hard despite already being locked into the front row. However, the NASCAR duo shouldn’t drive too aggressive or recklessly. There’s still a lot of racing left with practice sessions before the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
Likewise, using a backup car or having to switch out a car part would require the team to head to the back of the pack. The Can-Am Duel sets the starting grid but it isn’t locked in stone. Sunday’s starting grid is subject to change and isn’t officially set until Sunday morning.