The RFK Racing Daytona 500 campaign ignites this week as NASCAR’s biggest event returns to Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, February 15. The team, fueled by recent strong showings in qualifying duels, is determined to secure victory in the 68th Great American Race at the famed Daytona International Speedway.
This landmark event marks the official start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with race coverage available on FOX and MRN, and anticipation running high as RFK’s drivers chase history in front of dedicated fans nationwide.
Details and Schedule for NASCAR’s Premier Event
The Daytona 500 launches at 2:30 p.m. ET, unfolding across 200 intense laps that test drivers’ speed, strategy, and nerves. The event is structured in stages at laps 65, 130, and 200, blending tradition with modern racing excitement. Practice sessions begin Wednesday, culminating in single-car qualifying, with Thursday’s duels finalizing the bulk of the starting field ahead of Sunday’s green flag.
Each day of race week offers crucial moments for teams to fine-tune performance, with multiple practice sessions and qualifying rounds, providing fans a full schedule of on-track action leading up to the main event at Daytona International Speedway.
RFK Racing Lineup: Key Drivers and Partnerships
RFK Racing’s arsenal for Daytona 500 glory includes four dedicated teams. Brad Keselowski will pilot the number 6 car alongside crew chief Jeremy Bullins, with Castrol as the team’s primary partner. Chris Buescher assumes steering duties for the number 17 car, guided by crew chief Scott Graves and supported by Body Guard. Ryan Preece commands the number 60 entry with Derrick Finley leading the pit box, in partnership with Kroger and Viva Towels. Finally, Corey LaJoie, with crew chief Mike Skarbowski and Trimble backing, takes the wheel for the number 99 team. All drivers bring Daytona experience vital for navigating the unique demands of NASCAR’s most iconic superspeedway.
Legacy at Daytona and Recent Duel Triumphs
Jack Roush, the team’s founder, has fostered a legacy that includes twelve total NASCAR wins at Daytona, with eight coming in Cup Series competition. In the qualifying duels, the squad’s effectiveness is unquestioned: Matt Kenseth secured a duel win in 2012, while both Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher swept the duels in 2022, propelling momentum into the previous Daytona 500. Buescher’s impressive record in the duels persists, finishing inside the top 10 in all but one appearance since 2016, and currently standing on an eight-race streak of top-ten placements in these fast-paced qualifiers.
Ryan Preece’s six starts have produced three top-10 results, including a fifth-place finish in 2021, underlining RFK Racing’s ability to consistently compete for prime starting spots ahead of the main event.
Brad Keselowski: Veteran Resilience and Daytona Journey
Brad Keselowski arrives at Daytona for his 34th overall start at the high-banked speedway and his 17th entry in the Daytona 500. Despite a challenging off-season, which included recovery from a broken femur, Keselowski remains a formidable contender. His past performances boast eight top-10 finishes at Daytona, highlighted by a win in July 2016 and a best Daytona 500 finish of third place in 2014. Last season saw Keselowski place 26th in the 500 and 18th in the summer event, yet his return is marked by determination and improved health.
Keselowski’s crew chief, Jeremy Bullins, is a proven winner with two career victories at Daytona. Notably, Bullins helped secure an August 2024 win with Harrison Burton and also triumphed in the Daytona 500 alongside Austin Cindric in 2022. Keselowski’s extensive superspeedway resume includes 15 Xfinity Series starts with two runner-up finishes and three Truck Series appearances at Daytona.
Chris Buescher: Building on Momentum at the World Center of Racing
Chris Buescher prepares for his 21st Daytona International Speedway outing and his 11th Daytona 500 start. Buescher’s 2023 win at Daytona stands as a highlight, achieved with support from teammate Keselowski. In his career, Buescher has secured ten top-10s and five top-fives in 20 Daytona races, showcasing an upward trajectory. His strongest Daytona 500 result is a third-place finish, and he consistently qualifies well, having started inside the top 10 three consecutive times and starting sixth last year.
Buescher’s Xfinity Series exploits at Daytona include three starts and a best finish of second in 2015, further displaying his adaptability at this historic venue.
Ryan Preece: Harnessing Recent Success into Daytona Ambitions
Ryan Preece approaches his 13th Daytona start on the heels of a breakthrough 2025 season that saw career-highs in top-10 and top-5 finishes. Most recently, he captured victory at the Cook Out Clash exhibition, demonstrating his readiness for the new campaign. Preece’s best Daytona 500 showing came in 2021, finishing sixth. Across 12 overall Daytona appearances, he has three top-10s, highlighting reliability and upside. Preece’s unique achievement in 2021—top-10 in both Daytona points races—places him among a select group of competitors demonstrating consistent speed at superspeedways.
Outside of Daytona, Preece has proven ability on similar tracks, with career-best finishes of third at Talladega and Las Vegas, making him a dark horse to watch this February.
Corey LaJoie: Steady Progress and Daytona Credentials
Corey LaJoie lines up for his tenth Daytona 500, marking his 14th overall start at the track and 277th career Cup Series race. LaJoie’s best showing in the Daytona 500 came in 2024, finishing fourth—a result matching his personal best. In total, he’s achieved five top-10s and one top-five in 13 Daytona starts, reflecting both perseverance and evolving proficiency. His recent Cup Series runs boast similar highlights, with notable top-fives at Atlanta and Talladega. Last year, LaJoie crossed the line 22nd in the 500, but carries forward lessons learned heading into this year’s race.
Historic Triumphs and Pole Success for RFK Racing
RFK Racing’s story at the Daytona 500 is defined by breakthrough achievements and remarkable qualifying efforts. Matt Kenseth etched his name in team history by capturing the 2009 Daytona 500, leading the closing laps for an emotional win. Kenseth returned to victory lane again in 2012, further cementing his status as a pivotal figure in RFK’s Daytona legacy. The team has also twice started on pole for the Daytona 500; Greg Biffle delivered in 2004, achieving a speed of 188.387 mph before finishing 12th, and Carl Edwards replicated the feat in 2012 with a pole speed of 194.738 mph, ultimately securing an eighth-place result.
These milestones underscore RFK Racing’s long-standing competitiveness at NASCAR’s most prestigious race, with leadership from Hall of Famer Jack Roush driving the team forward through multiple eras of stock car excellence.
RFK Racing’s Road Ahead: Daytona 500 Dreams Within Reach
With recent success in the qualifying duels, a roster blending experience and rising talent, and a deep heritage of Daytona accomplishments, RFK Racing enters the 2026 Daytona 500 as a formidable force. The team’s drivers—Keselowski, Buescher, Preece, and LaJoie—are poised to translate qualifying momentum into a winning performance on race day.
All eyes will be on RFK Racing as the engines fire at Daytona International Speedway, where victory would further enrich Jack Roush’s celebrated legacy and bring fresh glory to the organization in stock car racing’s biggest spotlight.
