Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Florida) — Kyle Busch, eager to claim any win in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series and striving for his first Daytona 500 victory in his 21st attempt, will start from the pole position on Green Sunday after clocking the fastest time in Wednesday’s solo qualifying session. This marks the first time Busch, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, has secured the pole at the Daytona 500.
Joining Busch on the front row is last year’s pole winner, Chase Briscoe. Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier have also secured their spots for the Daytona 500, while the remaining positions—and the complete starting lineup—will be finalized during Thursday’s “Duel” qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway.
1. Kyle Busch’s Historic Opportunity
Despite being a two-time Cup champion, Kyle Busch has gone 93 races without a win and holds the record for leading the most laps (342) at the Daytona 500 without ever winning it. No driver has claimed their first Daytona 500 win after their 20th start, with Dale Earnhardt achieving his first in 1998—so Busch could make history if he triumphs this year. Speaking after qualifying, Busch acknowledged the significance: “This is our chance to do that…I’ve finished in just about every position here. I hope I can end the streak with a win at the Daytona 500.”
2. A Promising Start for Kyle Busch and Crew Chief Jim Pohlman
This pole position is a positive sign for Busch and his new crew chief Jim Pohlman, who previously led Justin Allgaier’s O’Reilly series team to a championship in 2024. Busch emphasized Pohlman’s focus on accountability and delivering fast cars. “Everyone here put in a valiant effort,” Busch shared with FOX Sports, “and it would be great to be talking about being No. 1 on Sunday night.”
3. Excitement and Relief for Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier
Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier were the fastest among drivers not yet locked into the Daytona 500, earning their spots and celebrating the achievement. Heim, who missed last year’s Cup race on Chicago’s street course, is competing at Daytona for the first time since then, qualifying a strong fifth overall. “After Chicago, people really supported me as a developing driver,” Heim said, expressing gratitude for the team’s hard work in crafting a competitive Daytona 500 car. Meanwhile, Allgaier, who races for JR Motorsports under the popular ownership of Dale Earnhardt Jr., faces its second Daytona 500 appearance after having to win a duel last year.
4. The Final Duel Qualifying Battles
Six drivers will battle for the last two spots in the Daytona 500 during Thursday’s Duel races. Each Duel winner who hasn’t yet secured a spot will earn a place in the race. The first Duel features established teams with Corey Lajoie (RFK Racing), Chandler Smith (Front Row Motorsports), and Casey Mears. The second Duel showcases part-time squads with Anthony Alfredo (Beard Motorsports), BJ McLeod (Live Fast Motorsports), and JJ Yeley (NY Racing). Alfredo highlighted the unpredictable nature of these races, saying, “There are many uncontrollable factors like strategy or accidents, but we aim to execute what we can.”
4½. What’s Coming Up
The two 60-lap Duel races kick off Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. These events provide crucial insight into how the cars perform heading into the Daytona 500, with drivers hoping to avoid wrecks that could send them to the back. Notably, Duel races award points on a 10:1 scale from first to tenth, and with the newly revamped points system, including a 10-race playoffs and bonus points based on regular season standings, the points earned here could carry significant weight.
Fan Take:
Kyle Busch’s pursuit of his first Daytona 500 win injects a compelling storyline into the 2026 NASCAR season, representing both personal redemption and potential history-making. For fans, this race symbolizes the blend of veteran grit and fresh opportunities, promising an electrifying event that could reshape narratives and intensify competition in the sport.
