With 45 vehicles registered, the 2026 Daytona 500 is set to be an exciting event. This weeklong celebration at Daytona will also mark the commencement of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the ARCA Menard’s Series. In total, there are 181 entries spanning across all four racing divisions.
Having recently triumphed in the unpredictable wet/dry Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, Ryan Preece and the No. 60 team carry significant momentum into Daytona. William Byron aims to achieve a remarkable third consecutive victory in the Daytona 500, a feat that has never been accomplished in the history of the sport. Reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson enters with a renewed focus, as NASCAR has reverted to a points system reminiscent of The Chase.
What Does the 2026 Daytona 500 Speedweek Schedule Look Like?
Here’s the detailed timetable for the events leading up to the Daytona 500:
- Wednesday, February 11
10:00 AM EST – Daytona 500 Practice #1 – FOX SPORTS 1
8:15 PM EST – Daytona 500 Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 1 - Thursday, February 12
4:00 PM EST – ARCA Practice – N/A
5:00 PM EST – NASCAR Truck Practice – FOX SPORTS 1
7:00 PM – NASCAR Cup Duels at Daytona (60 laps each) – FOX SPORTS 1 - Friday, February 13
1:30 PM EST – ARCA Qualifying – N/A
3:00 PM EST – NASCAR Truck Qualifying – FOX SPORTS 1
4:30 PM EST – NASCAR O’Reilly Practice – CW APP
5:30 PM EST – Daytona 500 Practice #2 – FOX SPORTS 1
7:30 PM EST – NASCAR Truck Race (100 laps) – FOX SPORTS 1 - Saturday, February 14
10:00 AM EST – NASCAR O’Reilly Qualifying – CW APP
12:00 PM EST – ARCA Race (80 laps) – FOX
3:00 PM EST – Daytona 500 Practice #3 – FOX SPORTS 1
5:00 PM EST – NASCAR O’Reilly Race (120 laps) – THE CW NETWORK - Sunday, February 15
12:00 PM EST – Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show – FOX
2:30 PM – 68th Running of the Daytona 500 (200 laps) – FOX
How to Tune In for the Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, with the pre-race show commencing at noon EST and the green flag set to wave at 2:45 PM EST. This iconic race will cover 200 laps, equating to a distance of 500 miles. Viewers can catch the action on FOX, with additional options available through TSN for Canadian audiences and various international broadcasts.
For those looking to live-stream the event, in-car camera feeds will be accessible on HBO MAX, while fans can also listen to the live radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Who Will Compete in the 68th Daytona 500?
A total of 36 chartered entries are assured a place in the Daytona 500. Among the competitors, Connor Zilisch is the only full-time driver making his debut in this prestigious race, representing Trackhouse Racing with the No. 88. Additionally, there are eight open entries vying for four remaining spots on the starting grid.
Notably, Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, has already secured his position through the Open Exemption Provisional. Other significant open entries include Corey LaJoie from RFK Racing, Corey Heim representing 23XI Racing, Chandler Smith for Front Row Motorsports, and Justin Allgaier from JR Motorsports. For a comprehensive list of entrants for all races this week, please follow the provided link.
