The aspirations of Anthony Alfredo to participate in the Daytona 500 have been dashed. After successfully earning a spot in the highly anticipated season opener for 2026, his No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet was disqualified following a post-race examination.
Alfredo secured an 18th-place finish in Duel #2, surpassing both BJ McLeod and JJ Yeley to qualify for the prestigious race. Having missed out on the event in 2025, he was deeply moved at the opportunity to compete in NASCAR’s most significant race for only the third time in his career.
Unfortunately, he now faces an early exit alongside Corey LaJoie from RFK Racing, Chandler Smith of Front Row Motorsports, and Yeley from NY Racing Team.
Following the disqualification, McLeod’s No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet underwent inspection and passed, allowing him to take Alfredo’s place on the starting grid. If all goes smoothly in his own post-race checks, this will mark McLeod’s sixth appearance in the Daytona 500, his first since 2023, after failing to qualify in both 2024 and 2025.
NASCAR Provides Insights on the Disqualification
Brad Moran, the managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series, addressed the media to clarify the reasons behind the disqualification of the No. 62 vehicle.
“It’s unfortunate to be here,” Moran stated. “For any small open team, these issues are undesirable, but we must fulfill our responsibilities to ensure fairness among competitors, particularly those aiming for the 500.”
During the inspection process, officials identified a hose related to the transmission cooling system that was improperly secured. This hose is supposed to attach at the right side quarter window and connect to the transaxle cooler, requiring it to be airtight and securely fastened.
“We have regulations to ensure that no parts can detach from the vehicle for safety reasons,” Moran continued. “While we don’t speculate about intentions, it’s crucial that all components are properly fastened, and sadly, this particular piece was not attached correctly. Additionally, another hose meant for driver cooling was found disconnected. This is critical for airflow, especially in superspeedway conditions.”
Moran emphasized that each car undergoes thorough inspections, assessing both safety and mechanical integrity, including the tightness of windows and flaps. The issues with the hoses were not present during the initial inspection. He noted that after a demanding 500-mile race, all hoses are rechecked, including those for brakes and driver cooling.
Understanding the Penalty Process
Alfredo and his team are not permitted to contest the disqualification as the Duels are regarded as part of the qualifying procedures. Moran clarified that this aspect treats the rules similarly to penalties incurred during a race.
“It’s akin to the situation with Noah Gragson recently during qualifying,” he explained. “The time is forfeited, and all qualifying heats are considered qualifying according to our rulebook.”
