The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 ignites the new racing season this Sunday, roaring back to Daytona International Speedway with a fresh slogan and dramatic changes to the championship format. With a full roster of elite drivers aiming for glory in stock car racing’s biggest spectacle, the Daytona 500 remains the prime focus for fans, bettors, and the sport’s brightest stars alike.
This year’s event moves away from the traditional elimination playoffs and reintroduces a modified version of the Chase, setting the stage for high-stakes competition and strategic twists. Speculation is high not only about which drivers stand out as top contenders, but how the renewed format and coveted spots in the field will play out on NASCAR’s grandest stage.
Daytona 500 Entry List and Qualifying Details
There are 45 drivers vying for 41 spots in the 2026 Daytona 500. Thirty-six chartered teams are guaranteed a position in the race, while eight open entries face the pressure of qualifying for the remaining places. Four of these open cars will not make the starting grid, making Wednesday night’s single-car qualifying and Thursday’s duel races even more critical. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson secured the 41st spot using the open provisional, ensuring his participation, although he will not be eligible for points or prize earnings this year.
The group of open entries includes Chandler Smith, Justin Allgaier, JJ Yeley, Anthony Alfredo, Casey Mears, Corey Heim, BJ McLeod, and Corey Lajoie. The qualifying format places added importance on both outright speed and performance in the duel races, adding extra drama ahead of the green flag, which drops on Sunday at 3:13 ET with live coverage on FOX beginning at 2:30 ET.
Examining the Odds: Favorites and Longshots for the Daytona 500
Bookmakers have released their odds for the field, identifying several drivers as clear favorites. Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano sit at +1000, while William Byron is close at +1100. Denny Hamlin comes in at +1400, with Kyle Larson at +1500 and Chase Elliott at +1600. Austin Cindric, Bubba Wallace, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski mostly round out the front-runner group with odds between +1700 and +2000.
Further back, drivers such as Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Tyler Reddick, and Alex Bowman are in the mix, with odds stretching from +2200 to +2500. Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Ross Chastain, Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, Connor Zilisch, and Josh Berry have slightly longer odds, yet remain intriguing due to their superspeedway capabilities. Some notable underdogs include Noah Gragson, Michael McDowell, Daniel Suarez, John Hunter Nemechek, AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, and others, with odds ranging from +5000 and beyond. The longest shots in the field, including BJ McLeod, Cody Ware, JJ Yeley, and Casey Mears, check in at +25000, reminding fans that in the chaos of Daytona, even the wildest scenarios remain possible.
Pivotal Head-to-Head Bet: Kyle Larson Versus Austin Cindric
A central focus among the betting matchups is the comparison between Kyle Larson and Austin Cindric. While Cindric has historically been strong on drafting tracks, recent results tilt in Larson’s favor. In four of the last five drafting-track events, Larson has outperformed Cindric. Notably, Cindric’s only head-to-head win in that span came at the spring Talladega race, yet his recent finishes have been challenging, including a streak of three races where he has placed 34th or worse.
Larson, often considered the world’s top race car driver, appears to have overcome past struggles at drafting tracks and enters the Daytona 500 poised for a new milestone, eyeing the prestigious Harley J. Earl Trophy. With the odds offering value, the bet on Larson over Cindric has gained momentum.
“Over the last decade of Daytona 500’s, Kyle Larson is 6 for 10 at finishing between 7th to 12th.
If he didn’t run out of gas last fall at Dega while leading the inside lane, he might just have 3 straight top 6 finishes right now at big superspeedways in a row.”
— Ryan (@ifantasyrace) February 9, 2026
Spotlight on Corey LaJoie: An Underdog with Top 5 Potential
Corey LaJoie remains one of the most intriguing open entries not yet locked into the Daytona 500, but he commands attention at +1000 odds for a Top 5 finish. Now driving the No. 99 Ford for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, LaJoie enjoys the best equipment of his career and is renowned for his drafting skills. He has consistently stayed competitive in Daytona 500 races, highlighted by a fourth-place result two years ago and a memorable run leading with just three laps to go last year before finishing 22nd.
Statistics reinforce his consistency; LaJoie has finished inside the lead lap in every Daytona 500 during the NextGen era, demonstrating an ability to avoid trouble and remain in contention at superspeedways.
“Did you know:
Corey LaJoie is the only driver to finish in the lead lap in all four Daytona 500s in the NextGen era https://t.co/oKL3iEzGLh”
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) February 11, 2026
AJ Allmendinger: A Veteran Chasing Another Daytona Top 10
Versatile driver AJ Allmendinger, famous for both road course mastery and superspeedway savvy, stands as a prime candidate for a Top 10 finish at +330. Despite last year’s engine woes and an early exit, Allmendinger has scored four consecutive top 10s in the Daytona 500 prior to 2025, including a third-place finish in 2017. In this edition of the race, he will honor late NASCAR driver Greg Biffle by carrying Biffle’s iconic No. 16 font on his Kaulig Racing car—a poignant tribute that adds emotional weight to his campaign.
“Something everyone wanted to see. 🙌
Kaulig Racing will pay tribute to Greg Biffle with his iconic numeric font on AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 car in the #Daytona500! pic.twitter.com/NmEyfOEddp”
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) January 22, 2026
Carson Hocevar: The Emerging Star with Big Ambitions
Carson Hocevar has injected a fresh dose of energy into the NASCAR Cup Series, and his bold on-track approach has already earned respect. Although still new to the Cup Series’ drafting tracks, Hocevar nearly claimed a win at Atlanta last year, only narrowly missing out on the victory. If circumstances had shifted by a matter of seconds, he might have been celebrating his first triumph then and there.
“A look at the finish of tonight’s race at @ATLMotorSpdwy. @CBellRacing is victorious in the No. 20. pic.twitter.com/irWtUozrO4”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 24, 2025
Hocevar’s record includes a runner-up result in Atlanta, a top-10 in the summer race there, a pair of strong sixth-place showings at Talladega, and an 11th place in the fall Daytona run. Possessing both speed and flair, Hocevar has quickly become a fan favorite, and his odds of +3800 to win the Daytona 500 reflect a compelling risk for those willing to bet on the breakout story.
What Makes the 2026 Daytona 500 Significant?
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 continues to captivate with its unpredictable blend of strategy, skill, and speed. With a reworked championship structure in place, rising stars like Carson Hocevar challenging seasoned drivers such as Kyle Larson, AJ Allmendinger honoring legendary figures like Greg Biffle, and underdogs like Corey LaJoie keeping the field honest, this year’s event is set to be fiercely contested and emotionally charged.
As anticipation builds for the green flag, the Daytona 500 remains not just the sport’s most iconic race, but a true test of adaptability, talent, and perseverance. With the sport evolving and the competitive stakes higher than ever, all eyes will turn to Daytona to see which driver will emerge victorious and etch their name in NASCAR Cup Series history.
Over the last decade of Daytona 500's, Kyle Larson is 6 for 10 at finishing between 7th to 12th.
If he didn't run out of gas last fall at Dega while leading the inside lane, he might just have 3 straight top 6 finishes right now at big superspeedways in a row.
— Ryan (@ifantasyrace) February 9, 2026
Did you know:
Corey LaJoie is the only driver to finish in the lead lap in all four Daytona 500s in the NextGen era https://t.co/oKL3iEzGLh
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) February 11, 2026
Something everyone wanted to see. 🙌
Kaulig Racing will pay tribute to Greg Biffle with his iconic numeric font on AJ Allmendinger's No. 16 car in the #Daytona500! pic.twitter.com/NmEyfOEddp
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) January 22, 2026
A look at the finish of tonight's race at @ATLMotorSpdwy. @CBellRacing is victorious in the No. 20. pic.twitter.com/irWtUozrO4
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 24, 2025
