How is the field set for the Daytona 500?

May be...

It is set by that. Anyone in the top 35 before is locked in. The three fastest people in qualifying who were not in the top 35 are locked.

Field wont be set till Thursday night. Watch the Gatorade Dual 150's. on the 14th. that is the qualifying race.

This is the best way to set a race. It reminds me of the weekend warriors at the dirt tracks. Qualifying is ran to set the first two positions. Then on Thursday, NASCAR runs two Gatorade duels, which are equivelant to heat races at local dirt tracks. These two races set the rest of the field. Best way to set a race is this. Every race car driver gets reminded of where and how they started with heat races and last chance races!

It's a real pain.



Check Jayski.com

Qualifying is unique at Daytona for the 500. Some teams must race their way into the Daytona 500 field. However, since 2005, all exempt teams (the top 35 teams of the previous year in owner points) are guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500. The first row is set by one round of qualifying, normally held one week before the race. (Prior to 2003, this was two rounds; prior to 2001, it was three.) The remainder of the field is set by a pair of qualifying races (these were 100 miles from 1959-1967; 125 miles from 1969-2004; and 150 miles, with two-lap overtime if necessary, beginning in 2005. These races were not held in 1968 because of rain). The top two drivers from the qualifying races that are not in the top 35 in owner points are given spots on the field, and the rest is set by the finishing order of the duels, with guaranteed spots to those in the top 35. The remaining spots, 40 to 43 are filled by top qualifying times of those not already in the field from the qualifying race. If there is a previous NASCAR Champion without a spot, he will get one of those four spots, otherwise, the fourth fastest car is added to the field.



Prior to 2005, after the top two cars were set, the top 14 cars in the qualifying races advanced to the field, and then between six (1998-2003), eight (1995-97, 2004), or ten (until 1994) fastest cars which did not advance from the qualifying race were added, and, since the mid-1980s, between two and seven cars were added by previous year's points performance and or championship.

I know the Pole and 2nd fastest driver are set, buty what about the rest of the field....Is it determined by the races on Thursday?

The field will be set by the 2 Duels which are qualifying races to get the Daytona 500 starting field!!!!