NASCAR has set the starting lineup for the 2026 Daytona 500, which pole-sitter Kyle Busch will lead to the green flag in search of his first victory in the Cup Series season opener.

Chase Briscoe will start second.

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After a win in each of Thursday night’s qualifying races, Joey Logano (starting third) and Chase Elliott (fourth) will comprise the second row.

William Byron, who is trying to become the first driver with three consecutive Daytona 500 victories, will start 39th in the 41-car field.

Here’s the NASCAR starting lineup for the 2026 Daytona 500:

ROW 1

1. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota

ROW 2

3. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
4, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet

ROW 3

5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
6, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet

ROW 4

7. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
8. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet

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ROW 5

9. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
10. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet

ROW 6

11. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
12. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota

ROW 7

13. Shane Van Gisbergen, No. 97 Chevrolet
14. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford

ROW 8

15. Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Chevrolet
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet

ROW 9

17. Casey Mears, No. 66 Ford
18 Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford

ROW 10

19. Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
20. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota

ROW 11

21. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
22. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota

ROW 12

23. Cole Custer, No. 41 Chevrolet
24. Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota

ROW 13

25. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
26. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota

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ROW 14

27. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
28. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota

ROW 15

29. Corey Heim, No. 67 Toyota
30. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford

ROW 16

31. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Toyota
32. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet

ROW 17

33. Cody Ware, No. 51 Chevrolet
34. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet

ROW 18

35. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
36. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford

ROW 19

37. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
38. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Chevrolet

ROW 20

39. William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
40. Justin Allgaier, No. 40 Chevrolet

ROW 21

41. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford

Failed to qualify: Chandler Smith (No. 36 Ford), JJ Yeley (No. 44 Chevrolet), BJ McLeod (No. 78 Chevrolet), Corey LaJoie (No. 99 Ford)

Ole Miss will run it back with the man who carried the team to its most successful season in program history.

After suing the NCAA over a sixth season of eligibility, Trinidad Chambliss was granted the opportunity to play the 2026 season by a state judge Thursday.

The NCAA formally rejected his request for a sixth year of eligibility on Jan. 9 because he and his team could not provide evidence that he was suffering from an “incapacitating injury or illness” when he did not play for Division II Ferris State in 2022 because of apparent respiratory issues.

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Trinidad Chambliss of the Ole Miss Rebels celebrates a touchdown against the Miami Hurricanes in the second quarter during a 2025 College Football Playoff semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium Jan. 8, 2026 in Glendale, Ariz. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Chambliss’ appeal to the NCAA was denied last week, but the legal battle continued.

The judge ruled that the NCAA “operated in bad faith” by trying to keep Chambliss ineligible for next season, according to Yahoo Sports.

Ole Miss came within a quarter of advancing to the College Football Playoff championship game, losing a 31-27 thriller to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 8. 

Trinidad Chambliss of the Ole Miss Rebels scores a touchdown in the first quarter of a 2025 College Football Playoff first-round game against the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Dec. 20, 2025, in Oxford, Miss.  (Wes Hale/Getty Images)

BYU WIDE RECEIVER, WHO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED ENGAGEMENT, CHARGED WITH FELONY RAPE

The Rebels’ postseason was mired in controversy when Lane Kiffin opted to take the LSU head coaching job. Athletic director Keith Carter said Kiffin would not be able to coach the team in the playoffs if he left, resulting in a he-said, he-said between Kiffin and players on how the break-up went down in the locker room.

However, several coaches, including offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., went back and forth between LSU and Ole Miss for the playoff games.

Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss warms up before a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field Nov. 28, 2025. (Petre Thomas/Imagn Images)

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The Rebels and Tigers will meet in Week 3 in Oxford.

Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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Team Australia (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 continues to gather momentum, with three intriguing group-stage clashes scheduled for Friday, February 13, as teams look to strengthen their positions in a fiercely competitive tournament.The day begins with Australia vs Zimbabwe in Colombo at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Australia, who have started their campaign on a strong note, will aim to maintain their momentum and consolidate their position in Group B. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have impressed with an early win and will be eager to challenge the five-time world champions, making this a potentially high-octane encounter between two attacking sides.The second match of the day will see Canada take on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Both associate nations are still searching for their first win in Group D, and this fixture could prove crucial for their World Cup aspirations. With both teams keen to break their winless run, the match promises a tight contest, with pride and points on the line.The final match on February 13 will feature the United States of America vs the Netherlands at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium. The Netherlands have been competitive in Group A, while the USA will be desperate to bounce back after early losses. The Chepauk surface, known for assisting spinners, could play a key role in shaping the outcome of the contest.With the group stage heating up and teams battling for qualification spots, February 13 promises a packed day of action across three venues, featuring a mix of heavyweight clashes and crucial associate battles. As the race for the Super 8 stage intensifies, every match, point and net run rate could prove decisive in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Cheltenham Preview Nights – 2026

A handy list of confirmed Cheltenham Preview Nights (Ireland) with panels, times, ticket info and charities.

Tip: If you’d like, I can add a “submit your event” line, or sort these by county as well as date.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” continued to dazzle fans as he once again put his full warrior spirit on display during his latest performance at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

Malinin landed a historic backflip to help Team USA win gold in the team event. The move was outlawed in 1976, with officials citing safety concerns. Before Malinin, fellow American Terry Kubicka was the last skater to land it legally at the Games.

Malinin will compete in Friday’s men’s free skate and enters as the gold favorite. He could attempt the first Olympic quadruple axel.

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Ilia Malinin of the United States competes during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Malinin acknowledged taking a measured approach to what is widely considered the sport’s most difficult jump.

“I’m hoping that I’ll feel good enough to do it (on Friday),” he told reporters Tuesday. “But, of course, I always prioritize health and safety, so I really want to put myself in the right mindset where I’ll feel really confident to go into it and not have that as something that I’m going to risk.”

WHO IS ILIA MALININ? ‘QUAD GOD’ MIGHT ALREADY BE ONE OF THE GREATEST FIGURE SKATERS OF ALL TIME

The International Skating Union (ISU) lifted the ban on somersaults in June 2024, clearing a path for the backflip to return to skating’s biggest stage.

Ilia Malinin lands a trick during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.  (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“Somersault type jumps are very spectacular and nowadays it is not logical anymore to include them as illegal movements,” an agenda from an ISU meeting at the time said.

Ilia Malinin in the center of the rink during the men’s figure skating short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.  (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

While the backflip does not have a set point value attached to it for skaters, last season Malinin admitted he enjoys performing the maneuver. 

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“It gets that audience applause, feels really suspenseful and I really just like doing it,” he said.

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Following reports, it has now been confirmed that Tyson Fury will make his ring return in a UK stadium.

‘The Gypsy King’ retired from the sport in January 2025 following two losses to Oleksandr Usyk. At the start of this year, he confirmed what many believed was inevitable when announcing his comeback.

With his sights set on world titles, revenge against Usyk or a long-awaited grudge match against Anthony Joshua later in the year, Fury has first booked what should be an easier touch in Makhmudov, though the Russian powerhouse can punch hard and has lost on only two occasions.

For the showdown, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has now been booked, as confirmed by Ring Magazine’s Turki Alalshikh in a statement today.

“Fury vs Makhmudov will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 11 April, with the landmark London venue confirmed to host the heavyweight bout. The event is promoted by The Ring and will be broadcast globally on Netflix.

“The press conference will take place on Monday 16th February at 4 pm at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, giving fans and media a first look at both heavyweights ahead of the fight. The press conference will stream live on Ring Magazine and Netflix’s YouTube channels.”

The first marks Spurs’ stadium’s fifth boxing card, with Anthony Joshua vs Usyk’s first meeting the inaugural show before Fury’s trilogy with Derek Chisora a year later. In 2024, Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn twice did battle at the 62,850 capacity ground.

In The Everest, just shy of a length covered Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah from the stable, and before the Expressway Stakes face-off, Chris Waller can’t easily separate the trio.

“Joliestar has come back really well. James (McDonald) has been on her in a few pieces of work and her trials and been very happy,” Waller said.

“I don’t know where the ceiling is with Angel Capital, but he is very, very good. That’s what we will find out about him.”

Waller admits Lady Shenandoah might be the one slipping under the radar post a disrupted spring.

“Through bad luck, I guess she is. She had no luck (last campaign),” he said.

Proven at the pinnacle already are Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah, while Angel Capital eyes his Group 1 breakthrough.

Drawn short in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m), he ran into airborne Jimmysstar securing second in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at the end of spring.

Waller is convinced, however, that the four-year-old has more to offer and is primed for Group 1 glory.

“It’s as simple as that,” he said.

“He seems equally effective left-handed or right-handed. He will be ready to go fresh. He’s a big strong horse, a proper horse.”

He dislikes rematching the sprinters so soon and keeps paths versatile, but ponders Newmarket Handicap (1200m) for Angel Capital, with prior winner Joliestar slated for the Sydney Canterbury Stakes (1300m).

For the Expressway Stakes (1200m) on Thursday, markets installed Joliestar $2.60 elect, Lady Shenandoah $3.40 and Angel Capital $4. The racing betting markets offer plenty of options for backing your pick in the Expressway Stakes.

The post a-star-an-angel-and-a-lady-vie-for-expressway-honours first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Gary Portelli accepts that Queen Of Clubs might not have the pace to rival the leading fillies over short courses, though he believes her future lies in stamina tests further out.

Bound for the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) this April, the three-year-old begins her autumn assignment in Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

“We’re on an Oaks campaign,” Portelli said.

“Winning a stakes race is what we’re hoping to do, and I don’t think that’s going to come until she gets to 2000 metres.

“I don’t think she is sharp enough to win against these really good fillies like Apocalyptic, who is a really sharp horse. She will be hard to beat right up until the mile, but from there on, the gate opens up a bit more.”

A progeny of the noted staying stallion Maurice, Queen Of Clubs performed adequately in a pair of Princess Series contests last spring before heart arrhythmia caused her demise in the Flight Stakes (1600m).

Her first win and only listed placing occurred amid rain-softened surfaces, and Portelli highlights that autumn showers would aid his charge.

“If we happen to get rain when we get to our grand final period, it would certainly help,” he said.

“She loves it wet and the autumn is often a wet time.”

Portelli likewise reintroduces Verona Rose in the Triscay Stakes (1200m), ideally over more ground but impressed by her growth since the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) success at Flemington during November.

Though conceding “three or four lengths” extra speed is needed versus premier mares, her barn manners excite him.

“It’s a different horse you’re going to see this weekend. She’s more powerful. She’s got more condition on her. She knows what she is here for now, and she never runs a bad race,” Portelli said.

“Whether she’s up to the real Group One horses, we will find out this campaign.

“She’s heading towards a Coolmore (Classic) if she can really get some form under her belt, and we’ll just try to earn as much prizemoney as we can in the process.”

Verona Rose boasts a 2-from-3 first-up strike rate, yet this will be her shortest trip yet under 1300 metres. Punters should review racing betting markets for the upcoming Light Fingers Stakes.

The post Portelli playing the long game with Queen Of Clubs first appeared on Just Horse Racing.