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Full Schedule, TV Coverage & Race Day Guide
2026 Daytona 500 Start Time: Full Schedule, TV Coverage & Race Day Guide (Feb. 15 Latest)
The 68th Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel dubbed “The Great American Race,” fires off today, Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. ET from Daytona International Speedway. With clear skies forecast and a stacked field of 40 cars, pre-race festivities peak as Rick Hendrick receives the NASCAR Hall of Fame ring.
Official Start Time Confirmed
Green flag drops at 2:30 p.m. ET sharp, broadcast live on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The 500-mile thriller spans 200 laps on the 2.5-mile tri-oval, with stages at Lap 60, 120, and the finish.
Daytona trimmed its banking in 2024, tightening racing lines and boosting passing—last year’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. win showcased the changes. No delays expected; twilight finish possible around 6 p.m. ET.
Weekend Speedweek Schedule
NASCAR Speedweek kicked off Thursday with Truck Series practice; Friday’s ARCA Menards race won by Connor Mosack. Busch Series (CW Network) starts 5 p.m. ET Saturday ahead of Cup qualifying.
Cup practice/duels wrap Friday; single-car qualifying Friday night sets the front row. Heat races Saturday evening lock in the 40-car field.
Pre-Race Entertainment Lineup
Country superstar Miranda Lambert headlines the free pre-race concert at 11 a.m. ET on the infield stage, her third Daytona gig. Grammy-winning DJ Pee .Wee delivers the tailgate party beat.
NFL legend Peyton Manning is Grand Marshal; actor David Corenswet (upcoming Superman) drives the pace car. National anthem by Jessie Murph; invocation by Rev. Doug Hood.
TV and Streaming Details
FOX airs the main event with Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and Michael Waltrip on commentary—first Daytona under the new CW media deal for non-points races. Streaming via FOX Sports app, YouTube TV; international on ESPN networks.
MRN radio blanket coverage; PRN pit reporters. Spanish on FOX Deportes. Post-race “NASCAR Victory Lane” at 7 p.m. ET.
Ticket and Access Info
Gates open 7 a.m.; infield camping sold out months ago. Single-day grandstand tickets from $125; premium hospitality $500+. Shuttle from Orlando airport; rideshare zones expanded.
Scan stadium passes via app; clear bags only. Fireworks, driver Q&As, and fan zones run 8 a.m.-race start.
Defending Champ and Favorites
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. seeks repeat after his 2025 overtime thriller. Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron (2024 winner) and Kyle Larson top odds at +600; Joey Logano (+800) eyes three-peat bid.
23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, fresh off a 2025 top-5, starts mid-pack. Stewart-Haas closure reshuffles the field—Ryan Preece joins RFK.
Entry List Highlights
40 cars confirmed: Full-time Cup stars plus open qualifiers. Notable: Ty Gibbs pole favorite; Ross Chastain Big One bait; rookie Brenden Queen in the 44.
Hendrick trio—Byron, Larson, Chase Elliott—plus Bowman’s No. 48. Penske’s Power/Logano/Blimpie. Front Row’s Reddick eyes superspeedway crown.
Track and Weather Outlook
Dayton’s repave holds; new tire compounds emphasize strategy. Highs near 72°F, winds 10-15 mph from southwest—ideal for drafting packs.
Caution flags average 10-12; fuel windows 45 laps. Stage points double in final run.
Historical Daytona Milestones
First 500 in 1959 won by Lee Petty; 200-lap beast since 1969 extension. Jeff Gordon’s 1997 photo finish; Austin Dillon’s 2019 wall ride. 2026 marks FOX’s 22nd straight broadcast.
Seven overtime finishes last decade underscore chaos potential.
Sponsor and Prize Purse
Hyundai leads sponsors; purse tops $28 million, winner ~$2.5M. GEICO honors military pre-race; Coke Zero returns July.
NASCAR Foundation auction raises funds; driver helmets fetch five figures.
Fan Viewing Guide
Arrive by 10 a.m. for Lambert; infield screens everywhere. App tracks live leaderboards, cautions. Tailgate staples: BBQ, Busch Lights, cornhole.
Betting legal in Florida—Byron -110 stage 1 fave. Fantasy NASCAR apps project Stenhouse regression.
Broadcast Team Breakdown
| Role | Analyst | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Announcer | Mike Joy | 40th Daytona |
| Analyst | Clint Bowyer | 2020 winner |
| Analyst | Michael Waltrip | 2001, 2003 victor |
| Pit | Jamie Little | FOX veteran |
| Pit | Regan Smith | Sub for Wallace |
Playoff Implications Early
Daytona points double via stages; top-10 locks stage win bonus. Crash reshuffles standings—2025’s top-5 all wrecked early.
Regular season championship clincher sets Round of 8 by Talladega.
Rival Series Action
Busch race Saturday 5 p.m. CW sets momentum; Truck opener Friday FS1. ARCA Friday night thriller previews talent.
IMSA Rolex 24 aftermath lingers; prototypes share garage vibes.
Economic Boost to Daytona Beach
$250M impact projected; 250,000 attendees fill hotels. Local vendors boom; beach traffic snarls I-95.
Volusia County emergency crews stage for Big One wrecks.
Legacy of the Great American Race
Daytona 500 crowns legends: Petty clan 10 wins; Earnhardt Sr. seven. 2026 honors Rick Hendrick’s 300th Cup victory pre-ring ceremony.
Global reach: 10M+ U.S. viewers; international feeds to 200 countries.
Must-Watch Moments
Lap 1 multicar pileup risk; Stage 1 end Lap 60 pit frenzy. Final 50-lap shootout decides it—expect side-draft duels.
Tune in early; history awaits today.
