There will be a new name for a familiar event during Speedweeks in February.
The qualifying races for the Daytona 500, formerly known as the Twin 125s, will now be known as the Gatorade Duel at Daytona. The format has also been changed with an additional 25 miles added to each qualifying race.
"We're excited about adding a new twist into an already exciting day of racing," said Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig. "The new distance to the Gatorade Duel At Daytona will give Daytona 500 entrants 10 more laps to fight to make the field for NASCAR's signature event."
It's the second time in the history of the event that the race distance has been changed. From 1959-1968, cars raced 100 miles before the limit was increased to 125.
On Budweiser Pole Day, Sunday February 13, only the fastest two cars qualify for the front row in the Daytona 500. The fastest qualifier not only earns the pole for the 500 but also the first 150-mile qualifying race. The second fastest qualifier earns the outside pole for the Daytona 500 and will start on the pole for the second 150-mile qualifying race.
The top-14 finishers, not including the pole sitter in the first 150-mile qualifying race, will line up behind the Daytona 500 pole sitter while the top-14 finishers, not including the outside pole sitter in the second 150-mile race, will line up behind the outside Daytona 500 pole sitter.
Positions 31-38 are awarded to the drivers with the fastest speed after pole qualifying while the final five positions are given to teams that are entitled to a provisional.