Daytona Duels and Their New Name Explained

To make the optics look better, Daytona International Speedway announced today that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be proudly sponsoring the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA, an exciting race at the start of Speedweeks that celebrates Florida’s rich history in racing as part of the 250^th anniversary of the nation’s founding. This partnership will highlight the important role that the Daytona 500 has played in Florida’s motor history.

FDOT’s sponsorship and ongoing partnership with the Daytona International Speedway aims to encourage safe driving behaviors for Florida’s residents and visitors. The America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA will take place on Thursday, February 12, where drivers will fight for their starting position in the 68^th running of the DAYTONA 500. Following the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA and other races during Speedweeks leading up to the DAYTONA 500, FDOT will be onsite at the Speedway further educating and promoting safety information and tips to race fans.

“It’s an honor to welcome the Florida Department of Transportation as our new sponsor for the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA to help kick off Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in 2026,” said Frank Kelleher, Daytona International Speedway President. “This sponsorship is a commitment to FDOT’s continued efforts to help keep Volusia County’s roadways safe. As we move forward on the shared journey toward a brighter future in Florida, there’s no better place to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of American independence than at The World Center of Racing.”

Proudly home to the nation’s birthplace of racing, Florida’s unique heritage as “the birthplace of speed” and the feats achieved at the Daytona International Speedway will set the stage for a fast-paced, exciting series of races that will engage fans to further celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary and Florida’s generational impact on automobile racing. From its humble beginnings of breaking records on sandy shorelines with some of the earliest models of automobiles to now drawing millions of visitors from around the world each year with vehicles reaching speeds of over 200 miles per hour, Florida’s racing industry has been an exciting feature of the state’s identity for nearly 125 years.

“As we celebrate the 250^th anniversary of our nation’s founding, the America 250 Florida Duel at DAYTONA is an ideal opportunity to honor Florida’s storied history,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDOT is proud to partner with Daytona International Speedway to celebrate the thrill of racing while keeping our focus on safety where it matters most.”

“The history of automobile racing in Florida began in 1903 with a line drawn on the Florida sand, and throughout the years, the sport has rapidly grown in the state to make the Daytona 500 the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar. Duel at Daytona is an exciting way to commemorate that history for the America250FL initiative which celebrates Florida’s role in the 250^th (semiquincentennial) anniversary of our nation’s founding.” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Chair of Florida’s Semiquincentennial Commission. “Visit America250FL.com and follow America250FL on X, Facebook, and Instagram to stay informed about ways to commemorate America250FL and our history.”

Although the spirit of racing is deeply embedded in Florida’s history and identity, it’s important to amplify the message that history should be made by the professionals on the racetrack, not by motorists on the state’s roadways. As part of FDOT’s commitment to ensuring safety across Florida’s roadways and reducing the number of transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities through its Target Zero initiative, this partnership with Daytona International Speedway will further encourage motorists to make responsible decisions behind the wheel to keep families, visitors, and race fans safe.

FDOT and its partners at the Daytona International Speedway remind race fans to practice safe driving habits every time they get behind the wheel: always wear a seatbelt, never drive under the influence of alcohol or other impairing substances like marijuana, adhere to posted speed limits, and put away all distractions. Together, with these safe actions in mind, we can get everyone home safely.

For more information on tickets for the 2026 Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth races, including the DAYTONA 500, please visit www.DAYTONA500.com.

December 28, 2025

For decades, Daytona 500 twin qualifying races, also known as the Daytona Duels, have been sponsored by brands like Gatorade, Budweiser, and Can-Am. Now, without a sponsor for the races, NASCAR was forced to come up with a new name.

According to the official 2026 Daytona 500 flyer, the longtime Daytona Duels will be called the America 250 Florida Duels at Daytona.

For those who still call them the Duel Twin 125s, the new name is a bit of a mouthful, forced on NASCAR because no sponsor was willing to pay the asking fee.

The president of Daytona International Speedway, Frank Kelleher, remains excited.

“Winning the DAYTONA 500 is the pinnacle of our sport – the race every driver wants most,” he said. “A championship is a career milestone, but the DAYTONA 500 stands alone. Opening the season with the DAYTONA 500 and closing the regular season with one last shot to race into the NASCAR Playoffs keeps The World Center of Racing at the heart of sport’s biggest moments.”

Key Details for the 2026 Duels:

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL.
Rebrand: The event is officially titled the “America 250 Florida Duels at Daytona,” highlighting a patriotic theme for the 2026 season.
Purpose: These two 150-mile races set the starting lineup for the Daytona 500.
Format: 36 chartered cars are locked in, while open cars (including those driven by Jimmie Johnson and Justin Allgaier) battle for remaining spots based on their Duel finishes.