Daytona 500 Rundown: Daytona 500 Live Updates, Results, Highlights, Leaderboard

Daytona 500 Rundown: Daytona 500 Live Updates, Results, Highlights, Leaderboard & More

Two drivers in the 2026 Daytona 500 will be in position for their own version of history in the biggest race on the NASCAR schedule.

At the front of the starting grid will be Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who has won 63 times on NASCAR's top circuit (good for ninth all time) but never in the Great American Race. Near the back sits William Byron, who hopes to make up ground and earn a record third consecutive victory at the Daytona 500. 

Kyle Busch is on the pole for The Great American Race for the first time, with Chase Briscoe on the outside of the front row.

Like his first two, this year's race has been impacted by rain with storms in the forecast pushing the start time up an hour.

Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott are among those also after their first 500 crown, while Denny Hamlin is out for No. 4 and Jimmie Johnson for No. 3. Connor Zilisch could make a big splash in his heralded rookie season in the Cup Series.

Daytona 500 start time today

Date: Sunday, Feb. 15

Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET (Revised Time)

Location: Daytona International Speedway (Daytona Beach, Florida)

Daytona 500 Rundown: Daytona 500 Live Updates, Results, Highlights, Leaderboard........

Current Snapshot (Lap 167/200):

Top 10 (super-tight gaps—under 0.32s back to 10th—anything can flip with a single move):

1 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 27th, leading. Wallace continues his stellar day: won Stage 2 under caution (dodged the massive "Big One" wreck), avoided trouble, and now leads with a strong Toyota push line. 

2 Cole Custer (#41 Chevrolet) – Started 23rd, +0.072s back. Custer glued close—ready to slingshot or disrupt.

3 Chris Buescher (#17 Ford, RFK Racing) – Started 41st, +0.109s back. Buescher (consistent superspeedway threat) staying in the hunt.

4 Christopher Bell (#20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing) – Started 12th, +0.132s back. Bell right there for a teammate push.

5 Ryan Preece (#60 Ford) – Started 19th, +0.141s back.

6 Josh Berry (#21 Ford, Wood Brothers Racing) – Started 14th, +0.206s back.

7 Corey Heim (#67 Toyota) – Started 29th, +0.227s back. Heim in the Toyota train.

8 Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing) – Started 37th, +0.249s back. Chastain aggressive as ever.

9 Noah Gragson (#4 Ford) – Started 25th, +0.299s back.

10 Riley Herbst (#35 Toyota) – Started 28th, +0.32s back. More Toyota support.

Current Snapshot (Lap 158/200):

1 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 27th, leading. Wallace has been masterful today: avoided major wrecks, won Stage 2 under caution (escaping the Big One unscathed on the bottom lane), and now leads a strong Toyota train. This is a huge moment—he's chasing his first Daytona 500 win and first for 23XI Racing.

2 Christopher Bell (#20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing) – Started 12th, +0.004s back. Bell glued right to Wallace's bumper—perfect push position.

3 Corey Heim (#67 Toyota) – Started 29th, +0.033s back. Heim (likely a spotter/affiliate entry) staying in the draft mix.

4 Chris Buescher (#17 Ford, RFK Racing) – Started 41st, +0.093s back. Buescher (strong superspeedway vet) breaking up the Toyota monopoly slightly.

5 Cole Custer (#41 Chevrolet) – Started 23rd, +0.109s back. Custer hanging tough in the pack.

Riley Herbst (#35 Toyota) – Started 28th, +0.123s back. Another 23XI affiliate surging—Toyota alliance strong.

Bubba Wallace wins Stage 2

Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) won Stage 2 of the 2026 Daytona 500!This aligns perfectly with the Lap 125 leaderboard you shared earlier (where he was leading with ~75 laps left, entering the final phase of Stage 2) and the Lap 132 update (post-Stage 2, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading under the next green).

Stage 2 Top 10:

1 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota)

2 Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford)

3 Kyle Busch (#8 Chevrolet)

4 John Hunter Nemechek (#42 Toyota)

5 Riley Herbst (#35 Toyota)

6 Corey Heim (likely affiliate/spot appearance)

7 Chris Buescher (#17 Ford)

8 Tyler Reddick (#45 Toyota)

9 Joey Logano (#22 Ford)

10 Daniel Suarez (#99 Chevrolet)

Current Snapshot (Lap 132/200):

Top 5 (mix of Chevy, Ford, Toyota; gaps suggest a recent restart or line separation):

1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (#47 Chevrolet, JTG Daugherty Racing) – Started 16th, now leading. Stenhouse (a proven superspeedway winner, including past Daytona plates) surges to the front—great for his underdog team.

2 Smith (#38 Ford, Front Row Motorsports) – Started 30th, +1.484s back. Stage 1 winner staying competitive; strong day for the young gun.

3 Carson Hocevar (#77 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports) – Started 6th, +1.696s back. Rookie/young talent hanging tough in the draft.

4 Ty Gibbs (#54 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing) – Started 20th, +2.059s back. Gibbs (rising star) in the mix for a potential late-race charge.

5 Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports) – Started 8th, +2.714s back. Larson (pre-race favorite in some models, 2025 champ) lurking—Hendrick Chevys often strong in closing laps.

Current Snapshot (Lap 125/200):

1 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 27th, now leading. Wallace (a strong superspeedway racer with recent wins) has surged forward—great for his team and fanbase.

2  Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford, Team Penske) – Started 5th, +0.581s back. Consistent all day; Penske Fords have been in the mix throughout.

3 John Hunter Nemechek (#42 Toyota, Legacy Motor Club) – Started 11th, +1.41s back. Solid run for the Toyota camp.

4 Kyle Busch (#8 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing) – Started 1st (pole winner), +2.369s back. Pole-sitter hanging tough but needing a push or restart to challenge.

5 Riley Herbst (#35 Toyota, 23XI Racing affiliate) – Started 28th, +3.333s back. Another underdog/young gun making noise in the draft.

Current Snapshot (Lap 109/200):

1 Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports) – Started 8th, now leading. Larson (2021 Cup champ, known for versatility) is in prime position—strong superspeedway runs and Hendrick Chevys often excel in drafts.

2 Kyle Busch (#8 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing) – Started 1st (pole winner), +0.034s back. Busch led early but now chasing; still hunting that elusive first Daytona 500 win.

3 Shane van Gisbergen (#97 Chevrolet) – Started 13th, +0.07s back. SVG (former Supercars champ, rising NASCAR road/oval star) staying glued in the pack.

4 Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford, Team Penske) – Started 5th, +0.106s back. Defending champ vibes; Penske Fords were competitive earlier.

5 Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing) – Started 37th, +0.152s back. Chastain surged from deep in the field—classic aggressive style paying off.

Current Snapshot (Lap 86/200):

1 Ty Dillon (#10 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing) – Started 34th, now leading under caution or just as racing resumes.

2 Justin Allgaier (#40 Chevrolet, JR Motorsports/Spire or affiliate) – Started 40th, +0.905s back.

3 Ross Chastain (#1 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing) – Started 37th, +3.84s back.

4 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 27th, +4.497s back (the lone non-Chevy in top 5).

5 Cody Ware (#51 Chevrolet, Rick Ware Racing) – Started 33rd, +4.909s back.

Current Snapshot (as of Lap 78/200):


Track: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway)

Race Progress: Early-mid race (roughly one-third to halfway complete;

Stage 1 ended around Lap 65 with Zane Smith winning it)

Top 5:

1 Denny Hamlin (#11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing) – Started 22nd, currently leading.

2 Bubba Wallace (#23 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 27th, right on Hamlin's bumper (+0.0s).

3 Austin Cindric (#2 Ford, Team Penske) – Started 36th, +0.084s back.

4 Tyler Reddick (#45 Toyota, 23XI Racing) – Started 26th, +0.101s back.

5 Ryan Blaney (#12 Ford, Team Penske) – Started 5th, +0.164s back.

Leaderboard (Lap 66/200, post-Stage 1):


1 Z. Smith (#38 Ford) – Started 30th, leading (Stage 1 winner)

2 A. Cindric (#2 Ford) – Started 36th, +0.842s

3 R. Blaney (#12 Ford) – Started 5th, +2.341s

4 C. Hocevar (#77 Chevrolet) – Started 6th, +3.045s

5 C. Buescher (#17 Ford) – Started 41st, +3.623s

D. Suárez (#99 Chevrolet) – Started 15th, +4.916s (note: car #7 listed but Suárez drives #99; possible typo in data)

R. Preece (#60 Ford) – Started 19th, +5.34s

M. McDowell (#71 Chevrolet) – Started 10th, +5.632s

Leaderboard (Lap 50/200):


1 C. Briscoe (#19 Toyota) – Started 2nd, leading

2 T. Gibbs (#54 Toyota) – Started 20th, +0.08s

3 S. van Gisbergen (#97 Chevrolet) – Started 13th, +0.187s

4 C. Elliott (#9 Chevrolet) – Started 4th, +0.286s

5 J. Logano (#22 Ford) – Started 3rd, +0.375s

6 D. Hamlin (#11 Toyota) – Started 22nd, +0.378s

7 B. Keselowski (#6 Ford) – Started 9th, +0.437s

A. Dillon (#3 Chevrolet) – Started 7th, +0.493s

J. Allgaier (#40 Chevrolet) – Started 40th, +0.514s (solid mover, likely in a strong pack)

E. Jones (#43 Toyota) – Started 24th, +0.612s

Leaderboard (Lap 35/200):


1 C. Briscoe (#19 Toyota) – Started 2nd, leading

2 J. Logano (#22 Ford) – Started 3rd, +0.041s

3 T. Gibbs (#54 Toyota) – Started 20th, +0.082s (strong climb)

4 J. Nemechek (#42 Toyota) – Started 11th, +0.149s

5 S. van Gisbergen (#97 Chevrolet) – Started 13th, +0.17s

K. Busch (#8 Chevrolet) – Started 1st, +0.171s

B. Keselowski (#6 Ford) – Started 9th, +0.228s

C. Bell (#20 Toyota) – Started 12th, +0.25s

C. Elliott (#9 Chevrolet) – Started 4th, +0.255s

J. Berry (#21 Ford) – Started 14th, +0.337s

Casey Mears loses a lap. 39 cars now on the lead lap.

Leaderboard (Lap 20/200):


1 J. Nemechek (#42 Toyota) – Started 11th, leading

2 J. Logano (#22 Ford) – Started 3rd, +0.139s

3 B. Keselowski (#6 Ford) – Started 9th, +0.142s

4 K. Busch (#8 Chevrolet) – Started 1st, +0.208s

5 J. Berry (#21 Ford) – Started 14th, +0.241s

6 C. Briscoe (#19 Toyota) – Started 2nd, +0.281s

7 T. Dillon (#10 Chevrolet) – Started 34th, +0.369s (strong early mover)

8 S. van Gisbergen (#97 Chevrolet) – Started 13th, +0.371s

9 C. Custer (#41 Chevrolet) – Started 23rd, +0.499s

10 C. Elliott (#9 Chevrolet) – Started 4th, +0.533s

Current Leaderboard (Lap 8/200):

1 K. Busch (#8 Chevrolet) – Started 1st, leading

2 C. Hocevar (#77 Chevrolet) – Started 6th, +0.389s behind

3 J. Nemechek (#42 Toyota) – Started 11th, +0.665s

4 M. McDowell (#71 Chevrolet) – Started 10th, +1.252s

 5 S. van Gisbergen (#97 Chevrolet) – Started 13th, +1.342s

 6 C. Elliott (#9 Chevrolet) – Started 4th, +2.449s

7 J. Berry (#21 Ford) – Started 14th, +3.376s

8 A. Dillon (#3 Chevrolet) – Started 7th, +3.97s

9 T. Gibbs (#54 Toyota) – Started 20th, +4.081s

10 K. Larson (#5 Chevrolet) – Started 8th, +4.17s

What A Start.

What channel is the Daytona 500 on today?

TV channel: Fox

Radio: MRN | SiriusXM (Channel 90)

The 2026 Daytona 500 will be broadcast on Fox. Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick will have the call from the booth at Daytona International Speedway.

Will there be a live stream of 2026 Daytona 500?

The 2026 Daytona 500 can be streamed on FoxSports.com and the Fox Sports app. For those looking to cut the cord, the race can also be streamed on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

Where to watch 2026 Daytona 500 Streaming today

Streaming options for the Daytona 500 include Fox Sports App, Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.

Latest Daytona 500 weather forecast report on Race-day in Daytona

AccuWeather forecasts a breezy morning Sunday with up to a 40% chance of showers, then a thunderstorm in spots starting at 5 or 6 p.m. The time of the storm has pushed back slightly from earlier forecasts, but the outlook still warns that "rain can delay or shorten the race." There's a 55% chance of rain with a 33% chance of thunderstorms throughout the day with an hour of rain in the forecast. Winds are expected to blow from the south at 14 mph with gusts exceeding 30 mph.

The National Weather Service calls for a 30% chance of showers after 5 p.m., with a chance showers and thunderstorms before 7 p.m., then again in the overnight hours. The NWS says the chance of rain at night is 90%. Weather.com is more optimistic with about a 70% chance of thunderstorms Sunday night. The Weather Channel gives it a 40% chance of storms at 7 p.m. that goes above 70% at 8 p.m.

Daytona 500 starting lineup, All 41 Drivers Grid, Cars on Today Race

Row 1: Kyle Busch (8), Chase Briscoe (19)

Row 2: Joey Logano (22), Chase Elliott (9)

Row 3: Ryan Blaney (12), Carson Hocevar (77)

Row 4: Austin Dillon (3), Kyle Larson (5)

Row 5: Brad Keselowski (6), Michael McDowell (71)

Row 6: John Hunter Nemechek (42), Christopher Bell (20)

Row 7: Shane van Gisbergen (97), Josh Berry (21)

Row 8: Daniel Suarez (7), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47)

Row 9: Casey Mears (66), Todd Gilliland (34)

Row 10: Ryan Preece (60), Ty GIbbs (54)

Row 11: Alex Bowman (48), Denny Hamlin (11)

Row 12: Cole Custer (41), Erik Jones (43)

Row 13: Noah Gragson (4), Tyler Reddick (45)

Row 14: Bubba Wallace (23), Riley Herbst (35)

Row 15: Corey Heim (67), Zane Smith (38)

Row 16: Jimmie Johnson (84), Connor Zilisch (88)

Row 17: Cody Ware (51), Ty Dillon (10)

Row 18: AJ Allmendinger (16), Austin Cindric (2)

Row 19: Ross Chastain (1), BJ McLeod (78)

Row 20: William Byron (24), Justin Allgaier (40)

Row 21: Chris Buescher (17)

 

Latest Daytona 500 odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Feb. 15:

Ryan Blaney: +1200

Joey Logano: +1200

William Byron: +1400

Denny Hamlin: +1400

Austin Cindric: +1600

Chase Elliott: +1600

Kyle Busch: +1600

How long does the Daytona 500 last? Finish Time

The Daytona 500 will go 200 laps around the 2.5-mile track, giving a final total of 500 miles — plus a few more if it extends to overtime. Usually, the race typically lasts 3 or 3.5 Hours, depending on caution periods.

Start Time: Race green flag drops in 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

Finish Time: Assuming a typical ~3.5-hour duration without major delays, the race is expected to finish around 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. 

Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott complete Fanzone appearance

Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott appeared in the Fan Zone at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday ahead of the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500.

Kyle Larson, Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon to appear on NASCAR RaceDay

No. 24 team, Former 2025 DAYTONA 500-winning car back on the Back

 Per custom, the race-winning car from the DAYTONA 500 stays behind to stay on display for a year. The No. 24 team

Denny Hamlin with NFL Legend. 

 Former NFL coach Jon Gruden also has been making the rounds (starting his morning at a nearby Waffle House before meeting some drivers today):

That @NAPARacing scheme.🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ht1qxytNkO

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) February 15, 2026

Here is your Spotter Guide for 68th running of DAYTONA500! Every Car Paint Scheme, No. in Daytona

Image via Nascar (twitter)

Trackhouse Racing: The Next Generation of NASCAR has arrived with a team like no other.

Michael Jordan talks NASCAR lawsuit results on Daytona 500 TV broadcast

Michael Jordan joined Fox's pre-race TV coverage to talk about the Daytona 500. He also commented on the anti-trust trial between NASCAR and a couple of its teams (including Jordan's 23XI Racing), which was resolved with a settlement in December.

Michael Jordan checks in with Jamie Little before the Daytona 500. pic.twitter.com/0DSJ5QQF4i

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026

Most Beautifull Cars in Daytona 500 Today, Splendid Paint Schemes, PHOTOS.

41 cars... 500 miles, $31 MILLION dollars on the line today in the Daytona 500 @DAYTONA #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/jCaT1AgBKJ

— Speedway Digest (@speedwaydigest) February 15, 2026

The grid for the Daytona 500 is now formed in full

Dare I say, it's a lovely day for it. pic.twitter.com/JhiMm6f6mE

— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 15, 2026

The grid for the Daytona 500 is filling up with cars and with people . About half the field is out on pit road right now, give or take

For the second year in a row, the 24 team gets their car back 

Defending Champion William Byron's 2025 Daytona 500 winning car is on the grid as it gets set to be returned to Hendrick Motorsports after one year on display

Latest Update: Daytona 500 flyover time

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will appear at the end of the national anthem. They should make their presence known just a few minutes before the green flag, which is set for 2:13 p.m. ET.

Miranda Lambart in the House, Daytona 500.

Miranda Lambert Jokes She's "Nervous" To Play Sold-Out Daytona 500: "It's Just Incredible, The Amount Of People Here"

Yooo Bart Simpson at the Daytona 500 is epic! 

Love Bart! Get that guy in a race car! Let him drive yo!

The rookie and the vet.

 
Jimmie Johnson and Connor Zilisch

Watch the Daytona 500 flyover Astonishing Video.

United we stand, ready to race. pic.twitter.com/2w4YGN9RET

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 15, 2026

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