Bubba Wallace will line up from third place in Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, after crossing the checkered flag first in Thursday’s first of two 60-lap duel races.

Wallace, driving the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota Camry XSE for 23XI Racing, was able to get himself out in front of the pack courtesy of a push from Tyler Reddick, holding the lead against a pack of hungry challengers.

It’s the first victory in the Daytona Duels for Wallace, and the second for 23XI Racing — who captured its first Duel victory last February with Tyler Reddick.

Additionally, it’s also the first NASCAR Cup Series victory — although it technically doesn’t count — for crew chief Charles Denike, who joined the team at the start of 2025.

“What a good night,” said Wallace. “I didn’t know how it was going to play out, and we got the lead there and my McDonald’s Camry just switched like a light switch to a totally different balance from being in the pack. It was a little bit edgy out front, but luckily, I’ve got some years under my belt that people still trust me. I was lucky to have Tyler (Reddick) behind me – he did a great job pushing me.”

Tyler Reddick rounded out the top five in the first of two 50-lap qualifier events.

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