The most anticipated event in the NASCAR calendar has arrived—the Daytona 500! Fans are eager to know the race’s length, start time, and if William Byron can secure a historic third consecutive win. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Daytona 500, airing Sunday at 2:30 p.m. PT on FOX.
Yes, the race takes place at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, about eight miles inland from the ocean. This 2.5-mile tri-oval track, featuring slight doglegs between turns 4 and 1, has banking angles of 18 degrees in the tri-oval, 31 degrees in the turns, and 3 degrees on the backstretch. Opened in 1959 and last resurfaced in 2010, the venue can accommodate 101,500 spectators.
There will be 41 race cars competing.
Thirty-seven drivers have secured their spots, while eight others vie for the remaining four places. On Wednesday, two cars will participate in single-car qualifying to determine the front row, with two additional non-locked-in drivers racing in Thursday’s duels that finalize the starting lineup. For a comprehensive breakdown, refer to the story titled: How The Daytona 500 Lineup Is Set.
The race kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET, with pre-race coverage on FOX beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Current weather forecasts by FOX Weather predict mid-70s temperatures with a 50% chance of rain as of Monday morning.
The competition covers 200 laps, totaling 500 miles. NASCAR races are segmented into stages: the first and second stages are each 65 laps, followed by a 70-lap final stage.
William Byron, the winner of the last two Daytona 500s, is the favorite but faces long odds to win a third consecutive race—a feat no driver has ever accomplished. Notably, eight of the past 11 winners achieved their first Daytona 500 triumph. Success at high-banked drafting tracks like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta is often key, with drivers such as Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott all recent victors, alongside Byron and three-time winner Denny Hamlin.
Dark horses to watch include Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace—each has won at Daytona or Talladega in recent years and should not be underestimated.
Sentimentally, former Cup champions Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, who have yet to win the Daytona 500, draw attention. Busch is making his 21st start and has led 342 laps in his career, while Keselowski enters his 17th race. Other notable current champions without a Daytona 500 win include Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott. Denny Hamlin, who has triumphed three times, returns after a challenging offseason marked by the loss of his father, making fans rally behind him.
Jimmie Johnson, who retired from full-time racing after 2020, has competed in the last three Daytona 500s and will be racing again this year, in a Cup event near his hometown in San Diego.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. is no longer racing but will be involved as a team owner through JR Motorsports, which fields cars in the O’Reilly Series (formerly Xfinity Series).
There aren’t major changes to the Daytona 500 itself this year, but NASCAR has revamped the championship format. Instead of postseason qualification being based on wins, the top 16 drivers in points after Round 26 advance. The championship will now be determined over a 10-race postseason where the driver with the most points wins. Wins now earn 55 points, second place 35 points, and points totals for the Chase field will be reset with slight decrements by seed.
The pre-race concert will be headlined by country music star Miranda Lambert. Comedian Nate Bargatze will give the command to start engines. The honorary starter and national anthem performer have yet to be announced. Legendary actor Kurt Russell will be driving the pace car.
Fan Take: The 2026 Daytona 500 not only delivers the thrill of one of NASCAR’s most iconic races but also introduces a major shift in the championship format that could reshape the competition and fan experience. With rising stars and seasoned veterans in the mix, this event promises unpredictable excitement and new storylines that matter deeply to fans and the future of the sport.
