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Daytona Beach, FL – The roar of engines will once again echo through Daytona International Speedway as NASCAR’s premier event, the Daytona 500, returns to inaugurate the 2026 season. This year’s Speedweek promises a comprehensive slate of racing action, commencing on Wednesday, February 11th, and culminating with the 68th running of "The Great American Race" on Sunday, February 15th. A total of 45 cars are set to contend for the coveted Daytona 500 trophy, with an expansive 181 entries spread across four distinct racing divisions making this the most robust Speedweek in recent memory.
The week’s festivities will not only feature the pinnacle of NASCAR Cup Series competition but will also serve as the season openers for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, alongside the ARCA Menards Series. This diverse lineup ensures a full spectrum of stock car racing excitement for fans in attendance and those tuning in worldwide.
Adding significant anticipation to the 2026 season opener is the recent victory of Ryan Preece in NASCAR’s unconventional Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The dramatic wet-dry race saw Preece pilot the No. 60 car to victory, carrying considerable momentum into the Daytona Speedweek. His performance has positioned him as a dark horse contender against the established titans of the sport.
However, the spotlight for historical achievement shines brightest on William Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports driver enters the 2026 Daytona 500 with the opportunity to achieve an unprecedented feat: a third consecutive victory in NASCAR’s most prestigious race. No driver in the history of the Daytona 500 has ever accomplished such a remarkable back-to-back-to-back triumph, making Byron’s quest a central narrative of this year’s event.
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Adding another layer of intrigue to the 2026 season is the return of a format reminiscent of the original "Chase for the Championship." This significant shift in the playoff structure means that every point earned throughout the regular season and, crucially, during Speedweek, will carry amplified importance. Kyle Larson, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, will undoubtedly be a key figure as drivers and teams strategize to maximize their points accumulation from the outset. The revised playoff system is designed to create more tension and strategic depth as the season progresses, with the Daytona 500 serving as the initial proving ground for these new competitive dynamics.
The full NASCAR Speedweek schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, February 11:
- 10:00 AM EST: Daytona 500 Practice #1 – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1.
- 8:15 PM EST: Daytona 500 Qualifying – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. This session will determine the initial starting order for the 500, with pole position being a significant advantage on the restrictor-plate track.
Thursday, February 12:
- 4:00 PM EST: ARCA Menards Series Practice – No broadcast information available.
- 5:00 PM EST: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1.
- 7:00 PM EST: NASCAR Cup Series Duels at Daytona (Two 60-lap races) – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. These exhibition races are crucial for finalizing the Daytona 500 starting grid for drivers who did not secure top starting positions in qualifying and for open entries attempting to qualify.
Friday, February 13:
- 1:30 PM EST: ARCA Menards Series Qualifying – No broadcast information available.
- 3:00 PM EST: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1.
- 4:30 PM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice – Broadcast on CW APP.
- 5:30 PM EST: Daytona 500 Practice #2 – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1.
- 7:30 PM EST: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race (100 laps) – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. The first points-paying race of the Speedweek, setting the tone for the truck series championship.
Saturday, February 14:
- 10:00 AM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying – Broadcast on CW APP.
- 12:00 PM EST: ARCA Menards Series Race (80 laps) – Broadcast on FOX.
- 3:00 PM EST: Daytona 500 Final Practice (Happy Hour) – Broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1. This final session is critical for teams to fine-tune their race setups.
- 5:00 PM EST: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race (120 laps) – Broadcast on THE CW NETWORK.
Sunday, February 15:
- 12:00 PM EST: Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show – Broadcast on FOX. Extensive pre-race coverage will include driver interviews, team previews, and analysis of the track conditions and potential race strategies.
- 2:30 PM EST: 68th Running of the Daytona 500 (200 laps) – Broadcast on FOX. The main event, where champions are made.
For those seeking detailed viewing information for the Daytona 500 itself:
- Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026.
- TV Start Time: 12:00 PM EST (Pre-race coverage begins).
- Green Flag: Approximately 2:45 PM EST.
- Race Distance: 200 laps covering 500 miles.
- Stage Breakdown: The race will be divided into three stages: Stages 1 and 2 will consist of 65 laps each, with the final stage comprising 70 laps.
- Primary Broadcast Channel: FOX.
- Canadian Broadcast: TSN.
- International Broadcast: Various international viewing options are available via the NASCAR website (nascar.com/international/how-to-watch).
- Live Streaming: In-car cameras will be accessible on HBO MAX.
- Radio Broadcast: Fans can tune into MRN (Motor Racing Network) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for live audio coverage.
The 68th running of the Daytona 500 features a competitive field. Of the 36 chartered entries, guaranteeing them a starting spot, the only full-time Cup Series driver making their debut in the 500 is Connor Zilisch, piloting the No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing. Beyond the chartered teams, eight "open" entries will vie for the remaining four spots on the grid. One additional open entry, seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, has secured a starting position through the Open Exemption Provisional, underscoring his continued commitment to the sport.
Notable drivers competing for starting berths among the open entries include Corey LaJoie for RFK Racing, Corey Heim driving for 23XI Racing, Chandler Smith representing Front Row Motorsports, and Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports. The full entry list for all Speedweek events, encompassing the 181 total entries across the four divisions, provides a comprehensive overview of the talent converging on Daytona.
The return to a more traditional playoff format, coupled with the inherent unpredictability of restrictor-plate racing at Daytona, sets the stage for a captivating start to the 2026 NASCAR season. The battle for supremacy on the high banks will not only determine the victor of the Daytona 500 but will also have significant implications for the championship aspirations of drivers under the renewed points system.
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