Toyota Racing Kicks Off 2026 Season at Daytona

Veteran drivers and rising stars look to deliver Toyota's fourth Daytona 500 victory

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 2026 NASCAR season kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, where Toyota drivers will compete across all three national series as well as the ARCA Menards Series. Toyota is seeking its fourth Daytona 500 victory, with Denny Hamlin looking to tie Cale Yarborough for second on the all-time wins list. Veteran Jimmie Johnson returns to the No. 84 Toyota Camry, while rising stars like Corey Heim, Harrison Burton, and Gio Ruggiero will also be in action.

Why it matters

Daytona is one of the most prestigious and high-profile events in NASCAR, and a win in the Daytona 500 can be a career-defining moment. Toyota has found success at Daytona in recent years, and another victory would further cement the manufacturer's status as a powerhouse in the sport. The race also serves as an important early-season test for teams and drivers as they look to build momentum for the rest of the year.

The details

In the NASCAR Cup Series, Denny Hamlin will look to give Toyota its fourth Daytona 500 victory, which would tie him for second on the all-time wins list. Jimmie Johnson, a two-time Daytona 500 champion, returns to the No. 84 Toyota Camry with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. In the lower series, Toyota development drivers like Corey Heim, Harrison Burton, and Gio Ruggiero will look to make their mark, with Heim aiming to qualify for his first Daytona 500 and Ruggiero taking on a busy tripleheader weekend.

  • The 2026 NASCAR season kicks off this weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
  • The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

The players

Denny Hamlin

A Joe Gibbs Racing driver who has delivered all three of Toyota's previous Daytona 500 victories, in 2016, 2019, and 2020.

Jimmie Johnson

A seven-time Cup Series champion who is returning to the No. 84 Toyota Camry with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB for his 23rd Daytona 500 start. He won the race in 2006 and 2013.

Corey Heim

A Toyota development driver who will attempt to qualify for his first Daytona 500 in the No. 67 Toyota Camry XSE with 23XI Racing.

Harrison Burton

Returning to Toyota in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, he joins Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 24 entry and is a former Cup Series winner at Daytona.

Gio Ruggiero

A Toyota development driver who will compete in a tripleheader weekend at Daytona, racing in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series.

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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)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.