Ford and Penske look strong for today’s Daytona 500
Daytona International Speedway will host the highly anticipated NASCAR Cup Series regular-season finale this Saturday, August 23,
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off Sunday with the Daytona 500. There’s nothing in sports quite like the spectacle at Daytona International Speedway—grandstands packed, 500 miles of pure chaos, and a finish that never goes the way you expect. William Byron rolls in hunting history, gunning for a third straight win after taking the checkered flag in 2024 and 2025. He’s on every short list of favorites.
Green flag drops at 1:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX. Speedweeks have delivered the usual drama: practice, qualifying, and the Duels sorting out the 41-car field.
Who’s Got a Shot
Ryan Blaney is an easy favorite—he’s been nails on plate tracks and always seems to have something at Daytona. Most projections have him in the top five. Joey Logano’s never shy in the draft, and after grabbing a Duel win, he’ll be up front. Chase Elliott took the other Duel and brings plenty of momentum. Kyle Larson, last year’s Cup champ, is still missing a Daytona 500 trophy for the collection. But the main story? Byron, going for the three-peat and a place among the all-time greats.
The Field
Kyle Busch finally snagged his first Daytona 500 pole after two decades of trying, with Chase Briscoe alongside. Logano and Elliott slot right behind them—both coming off Thursday night wins. The rest of the grid filled in based on Duel results and qualifying times. And don’t sleep on Jimmie Johnson—seven titles and another Daytona start just adds to the intrigue.
What to Watch
Daytona always delivers tight packs, wild momentum swings, and late-race fireworks. Early laps are about survival and patience; the closing miles, all about guts and timing. Teams will be juggling energy, lanes, and drafting partners until the final sprint.
Byron’s shot at history, Busch on the pole, Blaney’s superspeedway chops—those are the big headlines. The Duels showed both Ford and Chevy have plenty of speed, so expect a manufacturer chess match.
Final Take
This is the most wide-open Daytona 500 field we’ve seen in years. Veterans, champions, up-and-comers—real shots for all of them. With Byron hunting a rare three-peat and the top contenders all flashing speed, Sunday’s opener should be a thriller from start to finish.
