In a calm, caution-free race, the battle for the 41st and final spot came down to track position and drafting help. Anthony Alfredo held on to 18th place to secure his position [14, 17].
| Driver | Car | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Alfredo | 62 | IN (Finished 18th) |
| B.J. McLeod | 78 | OUT (Finished 19th) |
| J.J. Yeley | 44 | OUT (Finished 22nd, -1 Lap) |
Fuel Management: The fuel window was strictly 48 laps, forcing the field to pit between Laps 45-49 [17, 18]. Chase Elliott used a strategic pit with Toyotas to regain the lead late.
Drafting Intensity: Featured 12 lead changes among 10 leaders, emphasizing the 200 mph speed cap efficiency [12, 15].
Chase Elliott: Won his 3rd career Duel; Hendrick depth propelling him to a favorites spot for Sunday [15, 19].
Carson Hocevar: Sleeper for Sunday after finishing 2nd in Duel 2; raw speed highlighted in opening practice [16, 20].
Track temperatures dropped significantly for Duel 2, increasing grip. The stability of the 2026 aero package allowed for the caution-free run [12].