Kyle Busch Claims Pole as Daytona 500 Set for Feb. 15
The 2026 Daytona 500 returns Sunday, Feb. 15, with the star-studded field lining up for NASCAR’s signature season opener. Kyle Busch secured the pole in qualifying and will start up front in the 68th running of the Great American Race. Coverage begins at 2: 30 p. m. ET, with the green flag scheduled to fall at 3: 13 p. m. ET.
Pole position and key starters
Busch’s pole adds another layer of intrigue: despite a prolific Cup Series résumé that includes dozens of wins, the Daytona 500 remains elusive for him. He’ll be flanked on the front rows by a mix of veterans and rising contenders, including Chase Briscoe, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney. A strong qualifying performance sets the tone on Daytona’s high banks, but superspeedway races are famously unpredictable; drafting alliances and late-race strategy often reshuffle the order.
When and how to watch
The race is set for Sunday, Feb. 15. Live coverage is scheduled to begin at 2: 30 p. m. ET, with the official start at 3: 13 p. m. ET. The event will be broadcast nationally and is also available through live television streaming options. Viewers without a traditional cable or satellite subscription can access the race through providers that carry the national telecast; many offer short trial periods that can be used to stream the event live. Fans should confirm that the service they choose carries the national broadcast in their local market and complete any required sign-ups well before race day to avoid last-minute access issues.
What to expect at Daytona
Daytona’s superspeedway format produces tight, high-speed pack racing where drafting and timing matter as much as raw speed. The race often produces large multi-car incidents and last-lap drama, so teams will be balancing aggressive moves with caution to protect points and equipment in the early season. With the Daytona 500 serving as the season opener, drivers will be eager to make an immediate statement—whether that’s chasing a breakthrough victory or preserving momentum heading into the next stretch of the schedule.
In addition to the headline contenders, keep an eye on teams that excel at superspeedway strategy and pit crews that can execute flawless stops under pressure. Stage breaks will shape strategy across the day, and fuel- or tire-saving gambits could determine who’s positioned for the final laps. For fans, that means a day likely filled with tense drafting, shifting alliances, and the kind of late-race theatrics that have defined this event for decades.
Expect pre-race coverage to include final grid analysis and last-minute adjustments from teams, while post-race reaction will focus on how the outcome shapes championship implications and early-season narratives. Whether you’re tracking a veteran chasing the one win missing from an otherwise decorated career or watching a younger driver attempt to seize the spotlight, the Daytona 500 once again promises a combustible mix of speed, strategy, and spectacle.
