Yes, the Cook Out Clash happened a week ago (albeit three days later than planned) at Bowman Gray Stadium, but the official start of the NASCAR season always comes when drivers hit the racetrack for Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
On Wednesday, 43 of the 45 drivers attempting the 2026 DAYTONA 500 took to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for the first time, in advance of the evening’s qualifying session, which will determine which drivers start on the front row and which two Open Entries lock into ‘The Great American Race’.
Austin Cindric, the winner of the 2022 DAYTONA 500, was the fastest driver at the end of the 50-minute practice session, getting his No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse around the famed superspeedway in 48.025 seconds (187.402mph).
The Mooresville, North Carolina-native ran a total of 13 laps during the session on Wednesday, but this third was the quickest and involved some drafting help from another vehicle on the speedway, thus giving him a tenth of a second advantage in the final rundown.
Ross Chastain was the second-quickest driver in the practice session, but also had some help in the draft, as did third-place Corey LaJoie and fourth-place Bubba Wallace. Daniel Suarez, in his first points-paying event driving for Spire Motorsports, was fifth quickest in practice.
PRACTICE RESULTS: Wednesday DAYTONA 500 Practice
The all-time leader in front row starts for the DAYTONA 500, Alex Bowman, was sixth fastest in the practice session, while Erik Jones was seventh, Corey Heim eighth, Kyle Larson ninth, and Jimmie Johnson rounding out the top-10.
Johnson, driving the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, is technically listed as an Open Entry, but as a result of requesting the Open Exemption Provisional from NASCAR, is guaranteed to start the DAYTONA 500 as a 41st entry.
Justin Allgaier, driving the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for JR Motorsports, was the fourth-fastest Open Entry in 19th, while Anthony Alfredo (26th), Chandler Smith (35th), BJ McLeod (41st), Casey Mears (42nd), and JJ Yeley (43rd) were the fifth through ninth fastest in that category.
Only Todd Gilliland (No. 34, Front Row Motorsports) and Michael McDowell (No. 71, Spire Motorsports) chose not to take part in Wednesday’s practice session, and will hit the racetrack for the first time in tonight’s single-vehicle qualifying session.
Qualifying for the DAYTONA 500 will take place on Wednesday, February 11, at 8:15 PM ET on FOX Sports 1. The fastest two Open Entries in qualifying will automatically secure their spot in the DAYTONA 500, with two additional spots left to be raced for in the Duels on Thursday, February 12.
