Daytona 500: Fastest times after Practice 1 for NASCAR Cup Series

Austin Cindric leads the way as NASCAR kicks off Speedweeks at Daytona

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The first practice session for the 2026 Daytona 500 has been completed, with Team Penske's Austin Cindric posting the fastest time. Cindric, a past Daytona 500 champion, led the way with a lap of 48.025 seconds. Other top performers included Ross Chastain, Corey LaJoie, and Bubba Wallace.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR's biggest and most prestigious race of the season, so strong performances in practice are an early indicator of which drivers and teams may be the favorites heading into the main event. With qualifying and the Duel races coming up, these practice results will help shape the starting grid for the Great American Race.

The details

Austin Cindric, the 2022 Daytona 500 champion, set the pace in the opening practice session with a lap of 48.025 seconds. He was followed by Ross Chastain, Corey LaJoie, and Bubba Wallace in the top four spots. Other notables in the top 10 included Daniel Suarez, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson. The session saw 43 cars take to the track, with Jimmie Johnson, an open car entry, also participating.

  • The first practice session for the 2026 Daytona 500 took place on February 11, 2026.

The players

Austin Cindric

A Team Penske driver and the 2022 Daytona 500 champion.

Jimmie Johnson

A NASCAR legend who is returning to the Daytona 500 as an open car entry.

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What they’re saying

“Speedweeks is finally underway for the NASCAR Cup Series, with the first practice for the 2026 Daytona 500 in the books.”

— Steve Samra, Author (on3.com)

What’s next

Drivers will participate in single-car qualifying on Wednesday, February 12, to determine the starting order for the Duel races on Thursday. The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The opening practice session at Daytona provided an early glimpse at which drivers and teams may be the favorites for the 2026 Daytona 500, with past champion Austin Cindric setting the pace. As Speedweeks continues, the focus will shift to qualifying and the Duel races, which will finalize the starting grid for NASCAR's biggest event of the year.