RFK Racing made a strong statement during the final practice session for the Daytona 500, held on February 14, 2026, as their drivers led the field on the storied track. The RFK Racing Daytona 500 practice witnessed Ryan Preece clocking the fastest lap, setting an optimistic tone for the team ahead of Sunday’s main event.
RFK Racing Leads the Field in Final Practice
In the decisive practice before the Daytona 500, Ryan Preece drove the No. 60 Ford to the top of the timesheets, registering a fastest lap of 192.819 mph. His performance was closely followed by his RFK Racing teammates. Chris Buescher finished second with a speed of 192.786 mph, while Brad Keselowski took third at 192.583 mph, confirming RFK’s dominance in the session.
Top Ten Shaped by Multiple Teams
Team Penske also showed its competitive edge, with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano securing fourth and fifth place, posting speeds of 192.480 mph and 192.472 mph, respectively. The next five fastest in the session featured a mix of drivers from other organizations: Ross Chastain came in sixth at 192.345 mph, followed by Chase Elliott at 192.184 mph, AJ Allmendinger at 190.917 mph, BJ McLeod with 190.880 mph, and Cody Ware rounding out the top ten at 190.739 mph.
Limited Participation in the Practice Session
Out of the Cup Series roster, only 18 drivers recorded lap times during the 50-minute session held on Saturday. Among them was Jimmie Johnson of Legacy Motor Club, who was notably the only Toyota driver to take to the track for this final tune-up.
Implications for Teams and Drivers Ahead of the 68th Daytona 500
The commanding pace of RFK Racing, particularly through standout runs by Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, and Brad Keselowski, signals strong preparation and confidence within the team. Team Penske’s presence in the top five with Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano points to a likely challenge in Sunday’s main race. The participation of a limited field, including only a single Toyota entrant in Jimmie Johnson, could influence final race strategies as teams make their pre-race adjustments. With the Daytona 500 approaching, the outcome of this practice session sets expectations for intense competition as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for its marquee event.
