2 Connecticut Natives Compete in Daytona 500

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Two Connecticut natives, Ryan Preece and Joey Logano, will compete in the 2026 Daytona 500 NASCAR race on Sunday. Preece, from Berlin, drives the No. 60 Ford for RFK Racing, while Logano, from Middletown, pilots the No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Team Penske. Logano is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and won the Daytona 500 in 2015.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR's biggest and most prestigious race, so having two drivers from Connecticut competing in it is a point of pride for the state. Both Preece and Logano have strong chances of winning, which would be a major accomplishment for Connecticut motorsports.

The details

Preece is coming off a win last week at the 2026 Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium, where he had to navigate sleet and near-freezing temperatures. Logano won the first qualifying race this week for the Daytona 500. Another Connecticut native, Anthony Alfredo from Ridgefield, initially earned a spot in the Daytona 500 field but was disqualified by NASCAR and will not race.

• The 2026 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
• Preece won the 2026 Cook Out Clash exhibition race last week.
• Logano won the first qualifying race for the Daytona 500 this week.

What’s next

The 2026 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2026, where Preece and Logano will look to become the first Connecticut native to win the race since its inception in 1959.