Busch and Briscoe Secure Front Row for Historic 2026 Daytona 500, Full Starting Grid Revealed

The roar of engines will soon fill the air at Daytona International Speedway as the official starting lineup for the 2026 Daytona 500 has been finalized. Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, piloting the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, will lead the field to the green flag, having clinched the pole position with a blistering qualifying lap on Wednesday. Alongside him on the front row will be Chase Briscoe in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, securing his starting spot with a strong qualifying performance.

The dramatic conclusion of Thursday’s Duel qualifying races set the remainder of the 41-car field for "The Great American Race." Joey Logano, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, and Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet emerged victorious in their respective Duels, earning them prime starting positions further back in the pack but proving their race-readiness.

However, not all contenders will get the chance to compete for the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy. Corey LaJoie in the No. 99 RFK Racing Ford, Anthony Alfredo in the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, J.J. Yeley in the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet, and Chandler Smith in the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford all failed to qualify for the prestigious season-opener. Notably, Alfredo’s No. 62 Chevrolet was disqualified, impacting the final standings.

The full starting grid for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 is as follows:

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Kyle Busch — #8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe — #19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Joey Logano — #22 Team Penske Ford
Chase Elliott — #9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Ryan Blaney — #12 Team Penske Ford
Carson Hocevar — #77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Dillon — #3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Larson — #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski — #6 RFK Racing Ford
Michael McDowell — #71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
John-Hunter Nemechek — #42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Christopher Bell — #20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Shane van Gisbergen — #97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Josh Berry — #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Daniel Suarez — #7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (Backup car)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — #47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
Casey Mears — #66 Garage 66 Ford
Todd Gilliland — #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Ryan Preece — #60 RFK Racing Ford
Ty Gibbs — #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Alex Bowman — #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Denny Hamlin — #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Cole Custer — #41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet
Erik Jones — #43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Noah Gragson — #4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Tyler Reddick — #45 23XI Racing Toyota
Bubba Wallace — #23 23XI Racing Toyota
Riley Herbst — #35 23XI Racing Toyota
Corey Heim — #67 23XI Racing Toyota
Zane Smith — #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Jimmie Johnson — #84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Connor Zilisch — #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Cody Ware — #51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet
Ty Dillon — #10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
A.J. Allmendinger — #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Austin Cindric — #2 Team Penske Ford
Ross Chastain — #1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (Backup car)
B.J. McLeod — #78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron — #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (Backup car)
Justin Allgaier — #40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
Chris Buescher — #17 RFK Racing Ford (Backup car)

The Daytona 500, often referred to as "The Great American Race," is the undisputed crown jewel of NASCAR. This year’s event promises to be a spectacle of speed and strategy, with a diverse field of seasoned champions and emerging talents vying for supremacy. Busch, a two-time Daytona 500 winner (2012, 2020), brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record at Daytona. His partnership with Richard Childress Racing has been a resurgent force in recent seasons, making him a formidable contender.

Briscoe, in his first year with Joe Gibbs Racing, has shown impressive speed throughout Speedweeks. His move to the storied No. 19 car, previously driven by legends like Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards, signals high expectations for the 2026 season. The pairing with Joe Gibbs Racing, a team renowned for its engineering prowess and winning pedigree, positions Briscoe as a strong dark horse for victory.

Logano, the 2015 and 2022 Daytona 500 champion, enters the race with the momentum of winning his Duel. The Team Penske driver is a master of restrictor-plate racing, consistently finding himself in contention at Daytona. Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, also demonstrated his capability by winning his Duel race, highlighting Hendrick Motorsports’ strong preparation for the season opener.

The inclusion of international talent like three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen adds another layer of intrigue. Van Gisbergen, driving for Trackhouse Racing, has shown remarkable adaptability to NASCAR machinery and will be one to watch as he navigates the unique challenges of superspeedway racing.

The Duel races themselves provided significant storylines. Logano’s victory in Duel #1 was hard-fought, with veteran Casey Mears making a daring move in his No. 66 Garage 66 Ford, pushing his way into the Daytona 500 field in a dramatic fashion. Elliott’s win in Duel #2 was a more controlled performance, leading a caution-free race that showcased the strength of Hendrick Motorsports. The disqualification of Anthony Alfredo after his Duel also reshaped the starting order and highlighted the fine margins involved in qualifying for this iconic race.

The depth of talent in the 2026 Daytona 500 field is undeniable. Drivers like Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin, all multi-time race winners, will be looking to make their mark. Young guns such as Ty Gibbs and Carson Hocevar are also poised to make statements, bringing fresh energy and ambition to the historic track. The presence of NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson, returning for select races, adds another veteran presence to the mix.

With 41 cars set to take the green flag, the Daytona 500 is expected to deliver its usual dose of high-speed drama, strategic drafting, and unpredictable outcomes. The teams have spent weeks fine-tuning their machines, and the drivers have been honing their skills on the treacherous 2.5-mile tri-oval. As the green flag waves, all eyes will be on Busch and Briscoe as they lead the charge into "The World Center of Racing" for what promises to be an unforgettable Daytona 500.