68th Annual Daytona 500

The Great American Race • 200 Laps (500 Miles)
DATE: SUN, FEB 15, 2026
FIELD: 41 CARS (45 ENTERED)
START: 2:30 PM ET
TV: FOX | RADIO: MRN / SiriusXM
STAGES: 65 / 65 / 70 Laps

✨ Pre-Race Festivities

  • Grand Marshal: Nate Bargatze (Comedian)
  • Pre-Race Concert: Miranda Lambert
  • Honorary Pace Car Driver: Kurt Russell
  • Flyover: USAF Thunderbirds (Standard tradition)

🏁 Field Composition (41 Cars)

Field Size Note: Expanded to 41 cars due to Jimmie Johnson's use of the Open Exemption Provisional. This is the first time since 1993 the field has featured exactly 41 cars.

Car Driver Status Note
84 Jimmie Johnson Open Exempt LOCKED IN (Provisional)
36, 40, 44, 62, 66, 67, 78, 99 (8 Drivers) Open Fighting for 4 Spots (2 Speed / 2 Duel)
1-99 (36 Drivers) Charter Guaranteed Starting Spot

📝 Race Intel

History in Making: William Byron (No. 24) is attempting to win his 3rd consecutive Daytona 500, a feat never accomplished in Cup Series history.

Weather: [Pending] (Source: Jayski Weather Tab)

⚙️ Technical Data

  • Tire Code: D-5142 (Left) / D-5218 (Right)
  • Fuel Window: ~46-50 Laps (Green flag stops likely)
  • Purse: $31,045,575 (Record High)

🏆 Key Contenders

  • Denny Hamlin (No. 11): 3-Time Winner.
  • William Byron (No. 24): Defending 2x Champ.
  • Jimmie Johnson (No. 84): 2-Time Winner (Exempt).
  • Bubba Wallace (No. 23): 2-Time Runner Up.