NASCAR Kicks Off Season with Sold-Out Daytona 500

William Byron aims for third consecutive Daytona 500 victory in front of capacity crowd.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 10:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 68th running of the Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier event, will take place this Sunday with a sold-out crowd at Daytona International Speedway. William Byron, the defending champion, will look to capture his third straight victory in "The Great American Race."

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is a marquee event for NASCAR, kicking off the new racing season with high anticipation and excitement. A sold-out crowd signals strong fan interest and engagement as the sport continues to rebound from the impacts of the pandemic.

The details

Daytona International Speedway announced that all reserved grandstand seats have been purchased for Sunday's Daytona 500. This will mark the first time the race has had a capacity crowd since 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic had limited attendance in recent years.

  • The 68th running of the Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

William Byron

The defending champion of the Daytona 500, seeking his third consecutive victory in NASCAR's premier event.

Daytona International Speedway

The iconic racetrack that hosts the annual Daytona 500 and other major NASCAR events.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Fans will eagerly await the start of the 2026 NASCAR season and the highly anticipated Daytona 500 on February 16th.

The takeaway

The sold-out Daytona 500 signifies NASCAR's strong rebound from the pandemic, with fans eager to return to the track and witness the start of a new racing season.