With Casey Mears taking the spot in Duel 1, only **one spot** remains for non-locked Open cars [1]. The battle is strictly between the following three drivers:
| Car | Driver | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | J.J. Yeley | MUST BE TOP OPEN FINISHER |
| 62 | Anthony Alfredo | MUST BE TOP OPEN FINISHER |
| 78 | B.J. McLeod | MUST BE TOP OPEN FINISHER |
| 40 | Justin Allgaier | Locked via Speed (182.923 mph) [5, 14] |
As track temperatures drop, grip levels increase, typically tightening the pack [15]. The **mandatory A-post windshield flaps** (new for 2026) are critical for preventing car-lift in multi-car accidents like those seen in Duel 1 [10].