BJ McLeod Secures Daytona 500 Spot After Competitor's Disqualification

The 42-year-old Florida native will make his first Daytona 500 appearance since 2023.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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BJ McLeod, a 42-year-old NASCAR driver from Wauchula, Florida, initially missed the Daytona 500 after finishing 19th in his duel race on Thursday. However, the 18th-place finisher, Anthony Alfredo, was disqualified after failing post-race inspection, allowing McLeod to officially qualify for the 68th Daytona 500.

Why it matters

McLeod's qualification for the Daytona 500 is significant as it marks his return to the prestigious race after missing the event in 2024 and 2025. The Daytona 500 is considered the most important race in the NASCAR Cup Series, and securing a spot in the field is a major accomplishment for any driver.

The details

After finishing 19th in his duel race, McLeod was set to go home until Alfredo's disqualification opened up a spot in the Daytona 500 field. McLeod's No. 78 Chevrolet passed post-race inspection, allowing him to officially qualify for the race.

  • On Thursday, February 13, 2026, McLeod finished 19th in his duel race, initially missing the Daytona 500.
  • After the race, NASCAR disqualified 18th-place finisher Anthony Alfredo, opening up a spot for McLeod in the Daytona 500 field.

The players

BJ McLeod

A 42-year-old NASCAR driver from Wauchula, Florida, who will be making his first Daytona 500 appearance since 2023.

Anthony Alfredo

The 18th-place finisher in the duel race, who was disqualified after failing post-race inspection, allowing McLeod to qualify for the Daytona 500.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, it feels awesome. I want to race my way in, three-wide coming to the checkered or something. I'll take it however we can get it. Ultimately, we had to prepare to be here and that's what our guys have done. We're going to get to go be a part of the best stock car race in the world on Sunday, and I couldn't be more excited.”

— BJ McLeod (SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

What’s next

Sunday, February 16, 2026, will mark McLeod's 150th Cup Series start and his first Daytona 500 appearance since 2023.

The takeaway

McLeod's qualification for the Daytona 500 after initially missing the race demonstrates the unpredictable nature of NASCAR and the importance of perseverance. Despite the unexpected circumstances, McLeod and his team were able to capitalize on the opportunity and secure a spot in one of the most prestigious events in the sport.