Daytona Duels and Their New Name Explained

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.