2026 NASCAR Cup Series Opening Race - DAYTONA 500: Can William Byron win his third consecutive Harley J. Earl Trophy? February 12, 2026 by Marc Jerbs

The 68th running of the DAYTONA 500 is set for Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 PM EST. Known as "The Great American Race" and widely regarded as the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing, the event officially launches the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This year's edition will feature a 41-car field battling across 200 laps on the iconic 2.5-mile superspeedway.

Qualifying & Duel Races

Single-car qualifying took place on Wednesday, February 11, setting the front row for the DAYTONA 500. Kyle Busch earned the pole with a blistering lap of 49.006 seconds (183.651 mph), while Chase Briscoe secured the outside front-row position.

Among the open entries, Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier locked themselves into the field as the two fastest non-chartered cars.

The remainder of the lineup was determined by Thursday's Duel races. Notably, Noah Gragson was sent to the rear in the Duels after his qualifying time was disallowed under a new 2026 rule prohibiting drivers from placing their hands near the window net during time trials.

Weather Outlook

Sunday's forecast calls for a high of 70°F, though rain chances increase to 61% between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., potentially impacting the latter stages of the race.

Key Rule Changes for 2026

The 2026 season introduces significant updates:

• Increased horsepower on tracks under 1.5 miles and road courses
• Race wins now award 55 points (up 15 from 2025)
• Fastest lap points restricted for cars returning from the garage
• Revised postseason format eliminating rounds and playoff points
• Top 16 drivers qualify for the Cup Series Chase based on overall 10-race performance - a single win no longer guarantees entry

DAYTONA 500 Sports Bet Odds

Here are our latest odds:

• Denny Hamlin is the favorite to win the race with a money line of +900.
• Ryan Blaney and William Byron are Hamlin's main challengers with a money line of +1000.
• Chevrolet (+105) and Ford (+190) are the top two cars competing for the winning manufacturer.

Reigning Champion & Historical Context

William Byron enters as the back-to-back defending DAYTONA 500 champion. His 2025 victory made him just the fifth driver in history to win the race in consecutive years. Now, Byron aims to become the first driver ever to win three straight DAYTONA 500s.

The all-time record remains with Richard “The King” Petty, who captured seven victories between 1964 and 1981. Cale Yarborough ranks second with four wins.

Drivers to Watch

Jimmie Johnson - Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson returns for his 23rd DAYTONA 500 start, driving the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. A two-time winner of the event (2006, 2013), Johnson boasts three career Daytona victories, 13 top-five finishes, and 17 top-10s in 41 starts at the track.

Competing as an unchartered entry, Johnson was granted an Open Exemption Provisional, ensuring his spot as the 41st car in the field. He'll also honor fallen firefighters this weekend with a special “Helmet of Heroes,” to be auctioned for charity following the race.

John Hunter Nemechek - Driving the No. 42 Dollar Tree Toyota for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, John Hunter Nemechek owns the best average DAYTONA 500 finish (7.67) among full-time drivers with multiple starts. He finished fifth in last year's race and carries an overall 11.0 average finish at Daytona. Nemechek also marks his 150th Truck Series start this weekend, adding momentum to his busy Speedweeks schedule.

Erik Jones - In the famed No. 43 AdventHealth Toyota, Erik Jones brings experience and past superspeedway success. He has 18 Cup starts at Daytona, including a 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 victory and a career-best third-place finish in the 2019 DAYTONA 500. His crew chief, Justin Alexander, previously won the 500 with Austin Dillon in 2018.

Final Thought

With history on the line for William Byron, veterans like Jimmie Johnson chasing one more moment of glory, and a new playoff system reshaping championship strategy, the 68th DAYTONA 500 promises high drama from the opening lap to the checkered flag. Superspeedway unpredictability always reigns supreme at Daytona — and once again, “The Great American Race” is poised to deliver a season-defining spectacle.

All-Time Daytona 500 Race Records

Record Category	Driver / Record Holder	Record Details
Most Daytona 500 Victories	Richard Petty	7 wins (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981)
Most Consecutive Wins	Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin, Denny Hamlin, William Byron	2 consecutive victories (Petty: 1973–74; Yarborough: 1983–84; Marlin: 1994–95; Hamlin: 2019–20; Byron: 2024–25)
Fastest Winning Average Speed	Buddy Baker	177.602 mph (1980)
Youngest Winner	Trevor Bayne	20 years, 1 day (2011)
Most Laps Led in a Single Race	Richard Petty	184 laps (1964)