NASCAR Kicks Off 2026 Season with Daytona Speedweeks

Cup, Truck, ARCA, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series all begin their seasons at the World Center of Racing

Feb. 11, 2026 at 12:07pm

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NASCAR is set to kick off its 2026 season with the annual Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The marquee event is the 68th running of the Daytona 500, which will take place on February 15th. In addition to the Cup Series race, the Truck, ARCA, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will all begin their seasons at Daytona this week.

Why it matters

Daytona Speedweeks marks the highly anticipated start of the NASCAR season, drawing fans and media attention as the top series begin their quests for championships. The Daytona 500 is considered one of the most prestigious races in motorsports, making it a critical early-season event for teams and drivers.

The details

The Cup Series schedule includes practice on Wednesday, qualifying races on Thursday, and the Daytona 500 itself on Sunday. The Truck Series, ARCA, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will also hold their season openers during Speedweeks, with races on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively. Weather forecasts call for a mix of sun, clouds, and potential rain showers throughout the week.

  • The 68th Daytona 500 will take place on February 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
  • The Truck Series race is scheduled for Friday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
  • The ARCA race is set for Saturday, February 14 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
  • The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race is on Saturday, February 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

The players

Daytona International Speedway

The 2.5-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida that hosts the annual Daytona 500 and other major NASCAR events.

William Byron

The two-time defending winner of the Daytona 500.

Ryan Preece

The driver who won the season-opening Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium.

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