The NASCAR Cup season officially begins today with the running of the 2026 Daytona 500. The pole-sitter, Kyle Busch, will lead the field in search of his first victory in the “Great American Race.” Chase Briscoe will begin in the second spot. After their wins in Thursday night’s qualifying races, Joey Logano (third) and Chase Elliott (fourth) will start in the second row.

Winner of the past two Daytona 500’s, William Byron, who is trying to become the first driver to win three in a row, has a tall order in front of him. He will start way back in 39th position in the 41-car field.

Official 2026 Daytona 500 Starting Lineup

1. Kyle Busch, No. 8, Richard Childress Racing
2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing
3. Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske
4. Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports
5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12, Team Penske
6. Carson Hocevar, No. 77, Spire Motorsports
7. Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing
8. Kyle Larson, No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports
9. Brad Keselowski, No. 6, RFK Racing
10. Michael McDowell, No. 71, Spire Motorsports
11. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club
12. Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing
13. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97, Trackhouse Racing
14. Josh Berry, No. 21, Wood Brothers Racing
15. Daniel Suarez, No. 7, Spire Motorsports
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47, Hyak Motorsports
17. Casey Mears, No. 66, Garage 66
18. Todd Gilliland, No. 34, Front Row Motorsports
19. Ryan Preece, No. 60, RFK Racing
20. Ty Gibbs, No. 54, Joe Gibbs Racing
21. Alex Bowman, No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports
22. Denny Hamlin, No. 11, Joe Gibbs Racing
23. Cole Custer, No. 41, Haas Factory Team
24. Erik Jones, No. 43, Legacy Motor Club
25. Noah Gragson, No. 4, Front Row Motorsports
26. Tyler Reddick, No. 45, 23XI Racing
27. Bubba Wallace, No. 23, 23XI Racing
28. Riley Herbst, No. 35, 23XI Racing
29. Corey Heim, No. 67, 23XI Racing
30. Zane Smith, No. 38, Front Row Motorsports
31. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84, Legacy Motor Club
32. Connor Zilisch, No. 88, Trackhouse Racing
33. Cody Ware, No. 51, Rick Ware Racing
34. Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing
35. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing
36. Austin Cindric, No. 2, Team Penske
37. Ross Chastain, No. 1, Trackhouse Racing
38. *BJ McLeod, No. 78, Live Fast Motorsports
39. William Byron, No. 24, Hendrick Motorsports
40. Justin Allgaier, No. 40, JR Motorsports
41. Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing

Additional Information: on Daytona Field

Originally projected as a starter in the 2026 Daytona 500 after his qualifying race finish, Anthony Alfredo found himself disqualified after a post-race inspection due to a transmission transaxle cooling hose that was disconnected. BJ McLeod will replace Alfredo in the starting lineup. lineup.

Failing to qualify for the race: Anthony Alfredo (No. 62 Chevrolet), Corey LaJoie (No. 99 Ford), Chandler Smith (No. 36 Ford), JJ Yeley (No. 44 Chevrolet).

Daytona 500 Race Details

• Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
• Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida
• Streaming: Fubo, foxsports.com, Fox Sports App