During the second Daytona 500 Cup Series Practice at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026, Austin Dillon posted the fastest lap, leading a competitive field as teams prepared for Sunday’s iconic race. Dillon’s impressive performance, marked by a lap of 46.006 seconds at an average speed of 195.626 mph, highlights his readiness and the competitive intensity surrounding this year’s Daytona 500 Cup Series Practice.
Backup Cars Take Center Stage After Thursday’s Duel Races
Following Thursday’s Duel races, several NASCAR Cup Series drivers returned to the track in backup vehicles due to incidents that forced their teams to make urgent adjustments. Notably, William Byron’s backup car had to travel overnight from Charlotte, North Carolina, arriving in time after a crash required immediate preparations for Friday’s practice session. Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and Chris Buescher also openly acknowledged the deployment of backup cars, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of racing at Daytona International Speedway.
Full Practice Standings Reveal High Competition Ahead of the Daytona 500
The full results from Friday’s practice session underscore just how narrow the margins are among NASCAR’s elite. With 37 entrants taking laps, a mere fraction of a second separated the top performers, reinforcing Daytona’s reputation for producing tightly contested action. The complete standings are as follows:
1. Austin Dillon – 46.006
2. Alex Bowman – 46.047
3. Justin Allgaier – 46.137
4. Chase Elliott – 46.149
5. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 46.160
6. Shane van Gisbergen – 46.239
7. William Byron – 46.242
8. Ross Chastain – 46.249
9. Kyle Larson – 46.250
10. Connor Zilisch – 46.257
11. Josh Berry – 46.307
12. Ty Dillon – 46.336
13. Zane Smith – 46.343
14. Todd Gilliland – 46.355
15. Brad Keselowski – 46.357
16. Ryan Blaney – 46.360
17. Joey Logano – 46.375
18. Daniel Suarez – 46.389
19. Cole Custer – 46.418
20. Austin Cindric – 46.453
21. Christopher Bell – 46.495
22. John Hunter Nemechek – 46.523
23. Kyle Busch – 46.540
24. Chris Buescher – 46.640
25. Noah Gragson – 46.645
26. Corey Heim – 46.910
27. Chase Briscoe – 46.931
28. Denny Hamlin – 46.943
29. Riley Herbst – 47.010
30. Ty Gibbs – 47.013
31. Tyler Reddick – 47.021
32. Bubba Wallace – 47.070
33. Michael McDowell – 47.656
34. Carson Hocevar – 48.088
35. Jimmie Johnson – 48.950
36. Erik Jones – 49.317
37. BJ McLeod – 49.566
Drivers and Teams Navigate Challenges Ahead of the Main Event
The rush to prepare backup cars after Thursday’s incidents placed significant stress on teams, especially as the Daytona 500 Cup Series Practice is seen as a pivotal trial before the main race. The drivers’ ability to adapt, particularly those like Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez who shifted to backup equipment, could be a deciding factor when the field lines up for the 2026 Daytona 500. This resilience and urgency help set the emotional and competitive tone that surrounds one of NASCAR’s most celebrated weekends.
Anticipation Builds for the 2026 Daytona 500
As Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, and Justin Allgaier lead the field from practice, the mix of seasoned veterans and new faces ensures an unpredictable race in store. With notable figures such as William Byron, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Jimmie Johnson also in the mix, expectations for high-stakes action are rising at Daytona International Speedway. The events of Friday’s session, combined with the resilience shown by multiple teams, set the stage for an intense Daytona 500 filled with drama and potential upsets, highlighting why the Daytona 500 Cup Series Practice remains a defining prelude to the legendary race weekend.
