Daytona 500 Set for Sunday Afternoon

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The 68th running of the Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier event, is scheduled for this Sunday, February 16th, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET. Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron is aiming to become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 three years in a row, while his teammate Kyle Larson looks to start the season strong after winning his second Bill France Cup championship a year ago. Ryan Preece also comes into the race with momentum after winning the non-points paying Cook Out Clash last weekend.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is considered the most prestigious race in NASCAR and kicks off the sport's regular season in dramatic fashion. Drivers will be looking to get their championship campaigns off to a strong start at the historic Daytona International Speedway.

The details

The 68th running of the Daytona 500 will take place this Sunday, February 16th, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET. Hendrick Motorsports' William Byron is aiming to become the first driver to win the Daytona 500 three years in a row, while his teammate Kyle Larson looks to start the season strong after winning his second Bill France Cup championship a season ago. Ryan Preece, who edged out Byron to win the non-points paying Cook Out Clash last weekend, also comes into the Daytona 500 with momentum.

• The 68th Daytona 500 is set for Sunday, February 16th, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET.
• The Cook Out Clash, a non-points paying race, took place last weekend in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.