NASCAR Shakes Up Top 20 Driver Power Rankings After Daytona 500

Tyler Reddick wins first Daytona 500, Chase Elliott surges in rankings after late-race wreck

Feb. 19, 2026 at 10:39am

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NASCAR has released its power rankings after Tyler Reddick won the 2026 Daytona 500. Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, topped the rankings after his first Daytona 500 victory. Chase Elliott, who led late but finished fourth after a late-race wreck, moved up five spots to second in the rankings. The top 20 saw several other changes as drivers prepare for the next race at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR's biggest and most prestigious race, so the results and driver performances have a major impact on the early-season power rankings. These rankings help set expectations and storylines heading into the rest of the season, especially as drivers look to build momentum after the season-opening superspeedway race.

The details

Tyler Reddick took the checkered flag at the Daytona 500, passing Chase Elliott on the final lap to claim his first victory in NASCAR's biggest race. Elliott had led late but was collected in a wreck, finishing fourth. William Byron, who was looking for his third straight Daytona 500 win, finished outside the top 10. Other top drivers like Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney also had disappointing finishes at Daytona.

  • Tyler Reddick won the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • The next NASCAR race is the Autotrader 400 at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Tyler Reddick

The winner of the 2026 Daytona 500, driving for the 23XI Racing team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

Chase Elliott

The Dawsonville, Georgia native who led late in the Daytona 500 before being caught up in a late-race wreck, finishing fourth.

William Byron

The driver looking for his third consecutive Daytona 500 victory, but ultimately finished outside the top 10.

Denny Hamlin

The co-owner of 23XI Racing, which fields a car for Daytona 500 winner Tyler Reddick.

Michael Jordan

The six-time NBA champion who is the co-owner of 23XI Racing, the team that won the 2026 Daytona 500.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The next NASCAR race is the Autotrader 400 at Atlanta's EchoPark Speedway on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The takeaway

The Daytona 500 results have shaken up the early-season NASCAR power rankings, with Tyler Reddick's first Daytona win vaulting him to the top spot. Chase Elliott's late-race misfortune allowed him to surge up the rankings, while other top drivers like William Byron and Kyle Larson had disappointing finishes. As the season shifts to Atlanta, these early rankings will continue to evolve and set the stage for the rest of the 2026 NASCAR campaign.