DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Toyota drivers showcased strong performances in the second of two qualifying races for the 68th Daytona 500 on Thursday night, with Christopher Bell leading the charge in fifth place. The Daytona Duel 2, a 150-mile event at Daytona International Speedway, saw Ty Gibbs finish ninth and veteran Denny Hamlin secure tenth, demonstrating the competitive edge of the Toyota Camry XSE race cars.
The results from Duel 2 set the stage for Sunday’s main event, the “Great American Race,” with these top-10 finishes positioning Bell, Gibbs, and Hamlin for favorable starting spots. The race provided valuable track time and an opportunity for teams to refine their strategies ahead of the highly anticipated 500-mile race. Toyota’s presence was notable, with several drivers demonstrating the capabilities of their vehicles in the draft-heavy racing conditions.
Christopher Bell, driving the No. 20 DEWALT/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, navigated a challenging race to secure his fifth-place result. He described the race as difficult, noting the need to adapt to changing track conditions and positioning. “I believe I learned just a little bit of race craft, and understanding where to position your car at and where not to position your car,” Bell said after the race. “The Interstate Batteries, DEWALT Camry handled really well and did a lot of the things I needed it to do. Just the race was difficult – I went from starting on the third row to all of way in the back and then had to operate my way back forward again. Just a lot to digest and hopefully, I can race good on Sunday.”
Toyota Finishing Positions in Duel 2
While Toyota drivers showed strength, the race was ultimately won by Chase Elliott, followed by Carson Hocevar and Kyle Larson. Here’s a complete look at the finishing order for Toyota drivers in Duel 2:
- 5th: Christopher Bell
- 9th: Ty Gibbs
- 10th: Denny Hamlin
- 11th: Erik Jones
- 12th: Tyler Reddick
- 13th: Riley Herbst
- 20th: Chase Briscoe
The full finishing order included non-Toyota drivers in the top spots, with Elliott taking the win, Hocevar in second, and Larson in third. Michael McDowell finished fourth, rounding out the top five. The competitive field highlights the intensity of NASCAR Cup Series racing at Daytona.
Toyota’s Commitment to U.S. Manufacturing
Toyota’s involvement in NASCAR extends beyond the racetrack, with a significant commitment to manufacturing and employment in the United States. The company, traded on the New York Stock Exchange as NYSE:TM, has been a fixture in the U.S. For nearly 70 years. Toyota directly employs approximately 48,000 people in the U.S., contributing to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 35 million cars and trucks at its 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s North Carolina plant began producing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles, signaling a move towards sustainable mobility.
The company’s dedication to innovation and sustainability is reflected in its Toyota and Lexus brands, as well as its network of nearly 1,500 dealerships across the country. Toyota continues to invest in advanced technologies and manufacturing processes to meet the evolving needs of the automotive market.
As teams prepare for the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the performance of Toyota drivers in the Duel races provides valuable insights into the potential for a strong showing in the season-opening event. The lessons learned during Thursday night’s race will undoubtedly be applied as drivers and teams strive for victory in the “Great American Race.”
What impact will the Duel races have on the overall strategy for Sunday’s Daytona 500? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow NASCAR fans.
