McLeod earns final Daytona 500 spot after Alfredo's car fails tech

BJ McLeod inherited the final spot for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 after his car cleared inspection late Thursday night and Anthony Alfredo’s did not.

Both drivers competed in the second qualifying duel race, with Alfredo crossing the finish line in 18th position and well ahead of McLeod. It was the result Alfredo and Beard Motorsports needed to earn a spot in the Daytona 500. But then the No. 62 Chevrolet was found to have hoses that were not properly tightened, or disconnected altogether.

“During inspection, we noticed this hose, which is a transaxle cooling hose, it comes off the right side of the window, and it’s supposed to go into the transaxle cooler, and it needs to be air-tight, it needs to be fastened,” said NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran.

“We have many rules (stating) that no parts can fall off the car, for obvious reasons. We don’t say what the intent is, but these parts have to be fastened properly, and unfortunately, this one piece wasn’t on the right side. There was also another hose disconnected for driver cooling, which affects air flow. At a superspeedway, we all know the importance of that. So, it’s unfortunate.”

Alfredo would have competed in his third Daytona 500.

McLeod, who is driving his Live Fast Motorsports entry, will make his sixth start in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.