After a lengthy 15-week hiatus, the NASCAR Cup Series regular season is back with its most anticipated event, the Daytona 500. Celebrating its 68th edition, this iconic race, dubbed the “Great American Race,” takes place on the steeply banked turns of the Daytona International Speedway.
On Sunday, February 15th, 41 of the 45 drivers present will start the race. Among them is seven-time series champion Jimmie Johnson, who, under a provisional open exemption, is guaranteed a spot in the race but will not earn championship points or prize money despite being a two-time Daytona 500 winner.
William Byron, fresh off his second consecutive victory in 2025, aims to etch his name in history by becoming the first driver to win three straight Daytona 500s, joining the elite group of champions such as Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95), and Denny Hamlin (2019-20).
This year’s field includes eight former Daytona 500 winners, with Hamlin holding the record for the most victories at this event with three plaques.
Daytona 500 TV/Streaming Schedule (Eastern Time)
- Wednesday, February 11
8:00 PM: Front row qualifying (FS1) - Thursday, February 12
7:00 PM: Duel 1 (FS1)
8:45 PM: Duel 2 (FS2) - Sunday, February 15
2:30 PM: Daytona 500 race (Fox)
Race Details
- Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida (4.1-mile high-banked tri-oval)
- Track Banking: Turns – 31°, Tri-oval – 18°, Backstretch – 3°
- Race Distance: 500 miles over 200 laps
- Stage Breakdown: Stage 1 – 65 laps, Stage 2 – 65 laps, Stage 3 – 70 laps
Unique Qualifying Format
The Daytona 500 features a distinct qualifying process. All drivers will take a single high-speed lap on Wednesday, with starting positions determined by a draw conducted the previous Tuesday. The fastest 10 drivers from this round will compete in a shootout, where the top two times earn the coveted front row spots for race day.
The remainder of the field, along with the top two qualifiers, will be split evenly into two 60-lap qualifying Duel races on Thursday. The finishing order in Duel 1 sets the inside row slots (positions 3, 5, 7, etc.), while Duel 2 sets the outside row (positions 4, 6, 8, etc.). Four open or provisional entries will be excluded from the final lineup.
Top Drivers and Betting Favorites
Given the unpredictable nature of the Daytona 500, William Byron, the two-time defending champion, holds the third-best odds at +1200. Ryan Blaney leads the betting market at 10-1 odds, closely followed by his Penske teammates Joey Logano (+1100) and Austin Cindric (+1400). All odds are provided by BetMGM.
Yahoo Sports analyst Nick Bromberg advises spreading bets across a select group of drivers rather than focusing heavily on one or two favorites. He points to Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing (+2200) as a solid mid-tier pick due to his strong average finish of 14.4 at Daytona, including two runner-up results. For potential dark horse picks, Bromberg highlights Josh Berry (+3500), whose Wood Brothers team is allied with favorite Penske, and Erik Jones (+4000), who has five consecutive top-20 Daytona finishes and a 2018 victory.
Entry List Highlights
Notable entries include Ross Chastain (No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet), Austin Cindric (No. 2 Team Penske Ford), Kyle Larson (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet), Denny Hamlin (No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota), Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Team Penske Ford), Joey Logano (No. 22 Team Penske Ford), and William Byron (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet). Jimmie Johnson will compete in the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota with provisional status. Several other drivers will also participate, with some entries still uncertain despite open status.
Weather Outlook for Race Week
Forecasts by Yahoo Weather suggest ideal conditions throughout the week, with daytime temperatures ranging from 67°F to 76°F. Rain chances remain low for most days, but there is a 25% likelihood of showers around race time at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Fan Take: This year’s Daytona 500 is more than just a race; it’s a pivotal moment that could shape the season’s storyline and solidify rising stars like William Byron as NASCAR legends. For fans, the blend of tradition, high stakes, and unpredictable racing promises thrilling drama that keeps the sport’s legacy alive and fresh.
