Daytona 500 predictions: Who will win 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race?

Sportswriters offer their picks for the upcoming Great American Race

Feb. 9, 2026 at 4:31am

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Daytona Beach News-Journal sportswriters offer their predictions for the 2026 Daytona 500, NASCAR's biggest race of the year. Potential winners include veteran Kyle Busch, rising star Ryan Blaney, and defending champion William Byron, who could make history with a third straight Daytona 500 victory. A dark horse pick is rookie Connor Zilisch, who could follow in the footsteps of Jeff Gordon's Daytona debut win.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is one of the most prestigious and watched events in motorsports, with drivers from across NASCAR's top series competing for the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy. Predicting the winner is a popular pastime for fans and media alike, as the unpredictable nature of restrictor-plate racing at Daytona often leads to surprise winners.

The details

The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is set for Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Sportswriters Zach Allen, Chris Boyle, Chris Vinel, and Ken Willis offer their picks for the winner. Allen believes it's finally time for veteran Kyle Busch to capture his first Daytona 500 victory, while Boyle thinks rising star Ryan Blaney is poised to break through. Vinel predicts William Byron will make history by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s, and Willis believes rookie Connor Zilisch could pull off an upset similar to Jeff Gordon's Daytona debut win in 1993.

  • The 68th Daytona 500 is set for Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • William Byron won the last two Daytona 500 races in 2025 and 2024.

The players

Kyle Busch

A two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 63 career wins, but has yet to win the prestigious Daytona 500.

Ryan Blaney

A 32-year-old driver who won four races in the 2025 season and has finished in the top 10 in the Daytona 500 six times, including a runner-up showing in 2020.

William Byron

The defending Daytona 500 champion, having won the race in 2024 and 2025. He's looking to become the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s.

Connor Zilisch

A rookie driver who could follow in the footsteps of Jeff Gordon, who won the Daytona 500 qualifier in his debut in 1993.

Chase Elliott

The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who could be in the mix for the Daytona 500 win.

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What they’re saying

“It's time Kyle Busch wins the Daytona 500.”

— Zach Allen, Sportswriter

“Surely it's a matter of when, and not if, with regards to Blaney having his name inscribed on the Harley J. Earl Trophy.”

— Chris Boyle, Sportswriter

“No driver has ever three-peated in the Daytona 500. Is it time for that to change?”

— Chris Vinel, Sportswriter

“Until something happens during the week to suggest otherwise, I'm thinking Connor Zilisch one-ups Jeff Gordon and wins the main event.”

— Ken Willis, Sportswriter

What’s next

The Daytona 500 qualifying races, known as the Bluegreen Vacations Duels, will take place on Thursday, February 13, 2026, setting the field for Sunday's main event.

The takeaway

The unpredictable nature of restrictor-plate racing at Daytona International Speedway means the 2026 Daytona 500 could see a surprise winner, whether it's a veteran like Kyle Busch finally breaking through, a rising star like Ryan Blaney capturing his first 500 victory, or a rookie sensation like Connor Zilisch pulling off an upset similar to Jeff Gordon's debut win. Fans and media will be closely watching to see who emerges victorious in NASCAR's biggest race of the year.