Overview
- The race airs on Fox with Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick calling it, and the green flag is scheduled shortly after 2:30 p.m. EST.
- Daytona International Speedway named comedian Nate Bargatze grand marshal to deliver the “start your engines” command.
- Actor Kurt Russell will drive the honorary pace car, and country star Miranda Lambert is slated for a pre-race concert.
- NASCAR begins the 2026 season under a restored Chase format that crowns the champion by points over the final 10 races.
- Seven other past Daytona 500 winners are entered, including Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson, as Byron bids for an unprecedented third straight win.