Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images for NASCAR)
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NASCAR News: 2026 Daytona 500 sold out

Posted by AR1 staff

Daytona International Speedway announced today that the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500 is officially sold out, with fans expected to pack the historic racing venue once again for NASCAR’s 2026 season opener along with featuring the largest purse in the event’s history – $31,045,575.

Year after year, The Great American Race reigns as one of the most anticipated events in the motorsport world, and starting today, fans can sign up for exclusive pre-sale access for infield camping and tickets to next year’s event to ensure they secure their seats in advance by visiting www.DAYTONA500.com.

“The DAYTONA 500 continues to be a national moment and cultural landmark woven into the fabric of American sport and identity,” said Frank Kelleher, President of Daytona International Speedway. “The demand for fans to experience NASCAR is at an all-time high and their continued support of the sport starts at DAYTONA. With drivers competing for another record purse of over $31 million in the 68th running of The Great American Race, the history books will be rewritten once again at The World Center of Racing.”

Last year, William Byron came out on top, earning his second straight DAYTONA 500 win. He crossed the finish line 0.113 seconds ahead of runner-up Tyler Reddick in overtime, becoming the first driver since Denny Hamlin in 2019 and 2020 to win the DAYTONA 500 consecutively. Byron now has the chance to become the first driver to secure three DAYTONA 500 wins in a row at the 68th running of The Great American Race.

Though grandstand tickets and camping are sold out for Sunday’s marquee event, limited upgrades and premium packages are still available. Fans can also catch plenty of the action during the multi-day racing and entertainment extravaganza that is Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth.

The competition begins on Wednesday, Feb. 11, with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying presented by Busch Light, setting the front row for The Great American Race. Qualifying also sets the field for a pair of head-to-head battles in the America 250 Florida Duel At DAYTONA on Thursday, Feb. 12, where drivers fight for their starting position in the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500.

The intensity increases on Friday, Feb. 13 as the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 takes the green flag under the lights of the famed track. Then on Saturday, Feb. 14, fans can enjoy a jam-packed day of on-track action with the kickoff to the ARCA Menards Series season with the General Tire 200 followed by the United Rentals 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.

On Sunday, three-time GRAMMY-award winning country music star Miranda Lambert will kick things off as the pre-race performer before the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soar above The World Center of Racing. Following the famed flyover, the nicest man in stand-up comedy, Nate Bargatze, will command the drivers to start their engines. Finally, acclaimed actor Kurt Russell will lead the field to the green flag to officially start the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

With all three national series kicking off their season at DAYTONA, each driver will be fighting to start their year with a win, putting everything on the line at one of the biggest races on the schedules. Fans can enjoy the fierce competition all week long, as well as multiple different entertainment performances, fan activations and race day festivities.

 Daytona International Speedway PR