Can-Am Duel at Daytona 2016: Format and starting grid

The build-up to the Daytona 500 reaches a fever pitch on Thursday night with a pair of qualifying races, the 2016 Can-Am Duels from Daytona International Speedway.

The pair of 60-lap, 150-mile races on Thursday night will determine the top 32 starting positions for Sunday’s Daytona 500. In traditional qualifying on Sunday, NASCAR rookie Chase Elliott won the pole position for Sunday’s race, with Matt Kenseth locking in the second position.

Kenseth won the Daytona 500 in 2009 and 2012, capturing a Can-Am Duel race in 2012 and 2014.

Sunday’s qualifying also gives Elliott and Kenseth No. 1 position on Thursday in the first and second Can-Am Duel, respectively. The top 15 finishers of the first race, not counting Elliott, will take the inside positions on Sunday, odd-numbered spots three through 31. The top 15 finishers in the second race, not including Kenseth, will take the outside spots in even-numbered positions four through 32.

After the top 32 spots, the next four spots will be filled by the highest qualifying speeds from Sunday among remaining drivers.

Fox Sports 1 will televise Thursday’s Can-Am Duels with pre-race coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET. Race coverage begins at 7 p.m., with play-by-play announcer Mike Joy alongside analysts Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds.