How is the starting lineup determined for the Daytona 500?

Answer 1

In the first few races every entrant who posted the entry fee and attained a minimum qualifying speed was given a spot in the field and entries started in the order that their applications were received or a random draw. Speed-based qualifying began in 1915.

Answer 2

The field for the Daytona 500 is set on two days worth of racing. The driver who wins the pole and the second place driver from Sunday's qualifying, will be locked into those two spots for the race.

All the other drivers from qualifying day, from third on back, will have to race for their positions during the Gatorade Duels held four days later on Thursday.

The rest of the field will be determined as follows, the winner of Duel #1 will start the Daytona 500 in third place, the winner of Duel #2 will start fourth, the runner-up in #1 will start fifth, runner-up in #2 will start sixth, so on and so forth.