Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan Qualify for Daytona 500
Anthony Alfredo and David Ragan will race in the Daytona 500 after running the fastest laps of the six open entries Wednesday night.
Alfredo ran a lap of 50.098 seconds, averaging 179.648 MPH around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.
Alfredo earned redemption for Beard Motorsports. The organization failed to make the 500 last year after making it in every attempt from 2017-20 and 2022.
“This is insane. We talked about every possible scenario we might find ourselves in. to make it into Sunday is such a competitive field is amazing. We have a fast Chevrolet Camaro and we beat a lot of competitive teams. To avoid a lot of sketchy scenarios feels amazing.” – Anthony Alfredo
David Ragan ran a lap of 50.2 seconds, averaging 179.283 MPH. He will run his first Daytona 500 for Roush since the 2011 edition of the race.
“It’s awesome to come back and drive a car that Jack Roush and Doug Yates have an engine in, and to see what Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher have done for RFK to bring that team back to the championship caliber team that it has been. That’s a testament to their character, to their skill as race car drivers, but also their leaders as a race team,” Ragan said.
Kaz Grala failed to post a lap in qualifying and will have to race into the Daytona 500 through his Duel race. Grala said the shifting lever was disconnected and couldn’t get the car up to speed.
Grala will need to finish best among the open entries in his Duel to get into the 500.
Jimmie Johnson ran a 50.323, averaging 178.845 MPH. Johnson can lock in if he’s best among the open entries in his Duel. He can also lock in if Alfredo or Ragan finishes highest among the open entries in their respective Duel.
BJ McLeod ran a 50.749, averaging 177.343 MPH. If Alfredo or Johnson is best among open entries in their Duel and Ragan is best among them in his Duel, McLeod will get into the 500. McLeod can also get in if he finishes best among the open entries in his Duel.
J.J. Yeley ran a 51.261, averaging 175.572 MPH – the slowest of the 41 drivers who made a lap. Yeley must finish best among open entries to get in.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com