Kyle Busch Captures Pole as 2026 Daytona 500 Sets Feb. 15 Green Flag
Kyle Busch will start on the pole for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 after strong qualifying and duel performances this weekend. The marquee NASCAR event is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15; television coverage begins at 2: 30 p. m. ET with the green flag slated for 3: 13 p. m. ET.
Pole position and the front row
Busch’s pole run gives him the top starting spot in a field loaded with veteran contenders and rising stars. A two-time Cup Series champion in the modern era of the sport with 63 career Cup wins, Busch has contested the Daytona 500 more than 20 times but is still searching for his first victory in the season-opening crown jewel. Behind Busch on the starting grid are Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney, providing a strong mix of short-run speed and restrictor-plate experience on the front rows.
Qualifying and the two Duel qualifying races set the final lineup and delivered the usual mix of calculated aggression and cautious strategy as teams dialed in drafting partners and aero setups for the long run. The Duels also served as a reminder that track position and partnerships will be pivotal once the field hits top speed at Daytona International Speedway.
What to watch on race day
Beyond Busch’s bid to complete his résumé with a Daytona 500 trophy, keep an eye on tire and fuel strategy as the race unfolds. Teams often trade short-term track position for long-term gains in the closing laps, and pit strategy under caution can quickly reshuffle the running order. Drafting alliances are likely to form and dissolve through the afternoon, making this one of the most unpredictable events on the calendar.
Watch for younger drivers and part-time entrants who can exploit chaotic moments to vault into contention, especially in the final 50 laps when breaks in the draft and well-timed pushes can decide the outcome. Veteran drivers with strong superspeedway resumes will try to control the front and avoid pack incidents that commonly influence the final results.
How fans can follow the action
Race organizers have finalized a stacked entry list and the broadcast window for Sunday is set. Coverage starts at 2: 30 p. m. ET with the race officially rolling at 3: 13 p. m. ET. Fans without traditional pay-television access can stream the event through a variety of live television streaming services; many platforms offer free trial periods that cover marquee sporting events like this one. Check local listings for channel assignments and confirm streaming availability before race day to avoid last-minute interruptions.
Expect pre-race features that profile top contenders, highlight teams’ superspeedway preparations and examine Busch’s quest for a Daytona 500 victory that has eluded him through two decades of Cup starts. The on-track drama, combined with the strategic chess match in the pits and on the track, should make for a compelling afternoon of racing.
As the green flag approaches, teams will continue final preparations, and pit crews will practice flawless stops that can determine whether drivers are in position to seize late-race opportunities. With the pole set and the grid sorted, attention now turns to who can survive the chaos and claim victory in one of motorsport’s most prestigious races.
