The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Daytona International Speedway on Friday, August 22, featuring its Daytona qualifying session that will determine the starting positions for Saturday’s race. Unlike the February Daytona 500 qualifying, this session will not include duels, making the timed laps alone crucial for drivers aiming for the best grid spots.
As teams and drivers prepare for the event, fans interested in the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona Qualifying can find all necessary details on schedule, broadcast, and streaming options to follow the competition live.
Timing and Schedule for Friday’s Qualifying Runs
Qualifying for the Cup Series at Daytona is scheduled to begin promptly at 5:05 p.m. Eastern Time on August 22, with no preceding practice sessions planned for the day. Drivers will take their turns to set a fast lap that will decide their starting order for the upcoming race.
For viewers in different time zones across the United States, the qualifying start times are: 4:05 p.m. Central, 3:05 p.m. Mountain, and 2:05 p.m. Pacific Time.
Where to Watch: TV Coverage for Daytona Qualifying
Fans can watch today’s qualifying live on truTV, which will begin its coverage at 5:00 p.m. ET. This channel will provide full, real-time broadcast of the event as drivers make their timed laps around the track.
For those preferring audio coverage, SiriusXM and the Motor Racing Network (MRN) will offer live radio broadcasts, ensuring no fan misses the action regardless of the platform preference.
Streaming Services Offering Live Access to Qualifying
Mobile and digital viewers have multiple options to stream the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona Qualifying. The truTV app allows live streaming on the go, while platforms that carry truTV also provide access, including Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and Sling TV via its Blue package. These services provide flexible viewing options for those unable to tune in on cable or traditional TV.
Complete Driver Qualifying Order Announced for Today’s Session
The order in which drivers will run their qualifying laps is set and includes a broad lineup of top teams and competitors:
1. Joey Gase, No. 44, NY Racing Team Chevrolet
2. Casey Mears, No. 66, Garage 66 Ford
3. BJ McLeod, No. 78, Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
4. Justin Haley, No. 7, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Austin Hill, No. 33, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
6. Cody Ware, No. 51, Rick Ware Racing Ford
7. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
8. Riley Herbst, No. 35, 23XI Racing Toyota
9. Noah Gragson, No. 4, Front Row Motorsports Ford
10. Ryan Preece, No. 60, RFK Racing Ford
11. Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
12. Cole Custer, No. 41, Haas Factory Team Ford
13. Todd Gilliland, No. 34, Front Row Motorsports Ford
14. Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 23XI Racing Toyota
15. Erik Jones, No. 43, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
16. Ricky Stenhouse, No. 47, JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
17. Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing Ford
18. Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
19. Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 23XI Racing Toyota
20. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
21. Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
22. Ross Chastain, No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
23. Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
24. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
25. Carson Hocevar, No. 77, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
26. Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
27. Kyle Busch, No. 8, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
28. Zane Smith, No. 38, Front Row Motorsports Ford
29. Daniel Suarez, No. 99, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
30. Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing Ford
31. Brad Keselowski, No. 6, RFK Racing Ford
32. Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
33. William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
34. Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
35. Denny Hamlin, No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
36. Austin Cindric, No. 2, Team Penske Ford
37. Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske Ford
38. Kyle Larson, No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
39. Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
40. Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske Ford
Implications of Qualifying for the Upcoming Race
The starting positions set by today’s qualifying sessions will have a significant impact on the drivers’ chances in Saturday’s race at Daytona. With no duels to shuffle the grid, every lap counts as teams aim to secure clean air and advantageous track position from the outset.
Veteran drivers such as Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe, who secured pole earlier in the year during Daytona 500 qualifying, will be looking to replicate their strong performances, while others strive to improve their starting spots to enhance their race day strategies.
Following qualifying, focus will shift quickly to race preparations, as teams finalize setups based on qualifying results and track conditions, aiming to optimize performance for Daytona’s high-speed demands.