Ryan Preece posted the fastest NASCAR Cup Series Practice Times during the last Daytona 500 session ahead of the 2026 race, positioning himself as a strong contender for victory at Daytona International Speedway with less than a day to go until The Great American Race. The practice, which featured 18 cars, heightened anticipation for fans as the iconic event’s start draws near.
Preece Leads the Final Practice as Daytona 500 Approaches
In the closing practice run before the 2026 Daytona 500, Ryan Preece claimed the top spot, marking himself as a competitor to watch when the green flag drops tomorrow. The excitement is ramping up for the NASCAR Cup Series as the last preparations take place and fans ready themselves for the spectacle known as The Great American Race.
With only hours until the race begins, teams and drivers are finalizing strategies and making final adjustments based on insights gained during Saturday’s session. The NASCAR Cup Series Practice Times offer critical information as the grid forms for Sunday’s showdown, and competitors closely analyze both their own performance and that of rivals such as Preece.
Daytona 500 Start Time Adjustments to Beat the Weather
NASCAR officials have changed the Daytona 500 start time, moving the beginning of the race up by one hour due to rain forecasted for Sunday evening. The green flag is now set to wave at 2:13 p.m. ET, as organizers work to increase the likelihood of completing the full 500 miles before inclement weather arrives. Anticipating the threat of rain on the super-speedway, this move is intended to maximize the race’s window and satisfaction for attending and viewing race fans.
Kyle Busch will pace the field from pole position, piloting the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet after delivering a fast second lap time of 49.006 seconds. Busch, a veteran in the series, is in pursuit of his first Daytona 500 triumph. Close behind, Chase Briscoe, representing Joe Gibbs Racing in the No. 19 Toyota, secured the second starting spot with a 49.026-second lap, ensuring a competitive front row to begin the event.
Qualifying also saw open entries Corey Heim and Justin Allgaier secure their places in the lineup on Wednesday, setting the stage for an intense contest when the green flag falls.
Spotlight on Daytona 500 Qualifying and Duel Drama
Following Wednesday’s qualifying efforts, the field from P3 through P41 was determined. Duel 1 provided high drama among open entry contenders Corey LaJoie, Casey Mears, and Chandler Smith, as they vied for a coveted transfer spot. The race progressed cleanly amid strategies around green flag pit stops, until Casey Mears locked up his brakes entering pit road and spun, triggering a caution that also involved Noah Gragson.
After the field regrouped, another incident occurred with five laps remaining: Bubba Wallace surged into the lead but received a strong push from Austin Dillon, resulting in a spin for Wallace and additional damage for Chris Buescher and Chandler Smith. As the race extended into overtime, a major final-lap crash took out LaJoie, removing him from contention for the open transfer slot. Navigating the chaos, Mears managed to avoid the wreck, securing the single available open entry transfer spot, while Joey Logano ultimately won the race.
Duel 2 featured another closely fought battle for the last open entry transfer position, with Anthony Alfredo, B.J. McLeod, and J.J. Yeley in contention. Alfredo appeared to clinch the final spot but was disqualified in post-race inspection, resulting in McLeod gaining entry into the Daytona 500 instead.
What Fans Can Expect at the 2026 Daytona 500
With less than 24 hours remaining before the start of the 2026 Daytona 500, anticipation among race fans is at its peak. The NASCAR Cup Series Practice Times highlight drivers in top form, such as Ryan Preece, while the altered start time demonstrates NASCAR’s commitment to delivering a full and competitive event despite potential weather challenges.
As the field lines up, all eyes will be on experienced drivers like Kyle Busch and rising contenders including Chase Briscoe, with support from teams such as Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and open-entry hopefuls. The results of qualifying rounds and the intrigue of the duels set the tone for a dramatic and unpredictable race, ensuring The Great American Race continues its legacy as motorsport’s ultimate season opener at Daytona International Speedway.
🚨The start time for the Daytona 500 has been moved up to 1:30p ET on FOX! 🚨
Live coverage from Daytona begins at 11:30a ET on FOX. pic.twitter.com/t90CdB8u2l
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2026
