Joey Logano’s Daytona 500 finish delivered a high-stakes start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, with the Team Penske driver surging from a late-race restart to claim third place despite sliding across the line backwards amid late chaos at Daytona International Speedway. This daring drive and dramatic ending signaled a much-needed turnaround after two difficult years at NASCAR’s iconic season opener.
From Deep in the Pack to a Show-Stopping End
The race’s closing laps were a testament to Joey Logano’s resilience and cunning on superspeedways. After restarting in 14th with just four laps remaining, Logano methodically picked his way toward the front, capitalizing on a late incident involving leaders Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell. When Hocevar and McDowell became entangled, Logano’s No. 22 Penske Ford seized the chance by joining the lead group entering the final lap. As the pack approached turn four, a bold block from Riley Herbst on Brad Keselowski set off a multi-car accident. While Tyler Reddick escaped to clinch the win, Logano was caught in the melee, ultimately crossing the finish line sideways for third place.
Sharing images of the unforgettable crash on social media, Logano remarked,
“My day ended in a familiar place, but it feels better when I can say I finished this year’s Daytona 500 3rd, sliding sideways across the start-finish line. Let the 2026 #NASCAR CUP Series season begin!”
—Joey Logano, Driver.
Sparking Hope After Two Challenging Years at Daytona
This result comes after a string of frustration for Joey Logano at Daytona. Entering this year’s race, Logano faced hard memories—he finished 32nd in 2024 and 35th in 2025, despite leading over 80 laps combined in those two attempts. In contrast, the 2026 event saw him lead nine laps and, crucially, make it to the end. After a routine check-up at the infield care center, Logano reflected on finally completing the race, telling Frontstretch:
“So after how this race has ended for us recently, I will tell you, I’m in the same building I’ve finished. But at least I seen the checkered flag this time. Not really have my eyes closed at that point but it was apparently at some point,” Joey Logano said.
Strong Start for Logano, Mixed Day for Team Penske
Logano’s early momentum was evident, coming off a win in Duel 1 and running wheel-to-wheel with pole-sitter Kyle Busch in the opening laps, even taking the lead within the first ten circuits. However, a calculated short fuel stop strategy in Stage 1 shuffled him backward, and after getting repairs from the ‘big one’ mid-race, he was forced to recover lost ground.
In the closing stage, steady pit work and effective drafting enabled Logano to rejoin the leaders, culminating in the climactic final restart. Despite the late spin, Logano finished third and collected the fifth-most points in the race with 36—a strong foundation for the new campaign.
The rest of Team Penske experienced mixed fortunes. Ryan Blaney featured among the top five in both early stages but suffered setbacks in the closing chaos, finishing 27th. Austin Cindric, who led laps during the opening segment, was also swept up in accidents, bringing his No. 2 car home in 36th.
Daytona Finish Sets the Tone for 2026 NASCAR Cup Season
Logano’s dynamic Daytona 500 result sets an optimistic tone for his 2026 NASCAR Cup Series ambitions. By overcoming a perilous multi-car crash at the finish and breaking his two-year pattern of heartbreak at Daytona, he provided a highlight for both fans and Team Penske. With race winners like Tyler Reddick capitalizing on the chaos, and competitors like Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Blaney shaping the day’s drama, the season opener pointed to another year of unpredictability and intensity in NASCAR’s top series.
As the new NASCAR campaign unfolds, Logano’s determination and ability to rebound from adversity serve as early reminders of why he remains a perennial threat in the championship chase. The motorsport community now looks ahead, eager to see if this stunning Daytona drive propels Logano and Team Penske to sustained success throughout 2026 and beyond.
My day ended in a familiar place, but it feels better when I can say I finished this year’s Daytona 500 3rd sliding sideways across the start-finish line. Let’s the 2026 #NASCAR CUP Series season begin! @Team_Penske @ShellStationsUS @Pennzoil @FordRacing @CocaColaRacing… pic.twitter.com/OhpYRmZCwI
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) February 16, 2026
