NASCAR News: Daytona 500 Qualifying revamped for 2026

As the engines rev up for the 2026 NASCAR season, the iconic Daytona 500 is set to kick off with a fresh twist in its qualifying format. Announced just days before the event, these changes promise to heighten the drama and strategy at Daytona International Speedway, where single-car qualifying on Wednesday will set the stage for the thrilling duels on Thursday, February 12.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The field for this year’s “Great American Race” will consist of 37 drivers, including the 36 from chartered teams and a special spot locked in for seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who earned an open exemption as an elite part-time driver. This adjustment marks a departure from traditional formats, aiming to blend pure speed with on-track battles for the remaining positions.

Under the new rules, the top two open cars from Wednesday’s single-car qualifying will secure their spots outright, bypassing the need to fight for them in the duels. The rest of the open entries—eight in total, featuring talents like Anthony Alfredo, Justin Allgaier, Corey Heim, Corey LaJoie, B.J. McLeod, Casey Mears, Chandler Smith, and JJ Yeley—will duke it out for just one available spot in each of the two duels. This means four spots overall are up for grabs through a mix of qualifying prowess and racing grit, turning what was once a straightforward process into a high-stakes showdown.

Historically, the Daytona 500 has been the crown jewel of NASCAR since its inception as the season opener in 1982, with recent winners like William Byron claiming back-to-back victories and Denny Hamlin holding the active lead with three triumphs. These format tweaks come as NASCAR seeks to evolve the event, ensuring that every lap counts in determining the starting grid for the 500-mile spectacle.

For fans and teams alike, this shift could redefine strategies. Chartered teams breathe a sigh of relief with their guaranteed entries, while open competitors must now excel in both time trials and wheel-to-wheel combat. As the countdown to Daytona continues, all eyes are on how these changes will play out under the Florida lights, potentially creating new heroes and heartbreaks in the quest for glory.