The NASCAR Cup Series began Speedweeks with the opening practice session for the Daytona 500 on Wednesday morning, February 11, at Daytona International Speedway. This early track time offered teams a critical opportunity to fine-tune their cars and evaluate setup strategies before qualifying later that evening locked in the front row starting positions.
Due to the significance of single-car qualifying commencing just hours later, most teams focused on either gathering speed data or preserving their tactics. Out of the 45 drivers planning to qualify, only Todd Gilliland and Michael McDowell sat out the session entirely.
Fastest Lap Leaders Showcase Varied Approaches
Austin Cindric led the session with the fastest lap at 48.025 seconds, hitting 187.402 mph over a 13-lap run, signaling Team Penske’s strong early form. Behind him, Ross Chastain, Corey LaJoie, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suárez also posted top times, while Alex Bowman, Erik Jones, Corey Heim, Kyle Larson, and Jimmie Johnson completed the top ten. The mix reflects various tactics, from outright speed runs to shorter attempts designed to conceal full capabilities going into qualifying.
Austin Cindric Delivers a Promising Start for Team Penske
Austin Cindric wasted no time setting the benchmark for this year’s Speedweeks, delivering the session’s quickest lap and demonstrating clear confidence in his No. 2 Ford. His 48.025-second lap at over 187 mph established an early statement heading into qualifying night. However, Cindric’s long-run pace dropped to eighth place over multi-lap runs (-5 and -10 laps), indicating room for improvement in sustained speed consistency as the week progresses.
Bubba Wallace Impresses with Consistent Long-Run Speed
Bubba Wallace stood out not just in single-lap speed but in overall consistency. Though his fastest lap of 48.262 seconds placed fourth, his average lap times over eight laps were the best among all drivers, clocking 48.80 seconds. This suggests that his No. 23 Toyota handled smoothly and steadily, a promising factor as race day approaches. His consistent long-run pace surpasses other frontrunners like Alex Bowman and Kyle Busch and indicates a well-rounded performance.
Hendrick Motorsports Faces Challenges with Key Drivers
Though Alex Bowman managed a respectable sixth place and Kyle Larson finished ninth, neither driver impressed with standout speed. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott and William Byron‘s sessions raised concerns. Elliott completed 17 laps but was nearly eight-tenths slower than Cindric’s best time with a 48.815-second lap, while Byron ran just two laps and ended 34th, more than a second off the pace. Hendrick Motorsports cited differing strategies behind these results, yet the gap to Team Penske and 23XI Racing’s pace is notable.
Strong Showing from Part-Time Drivers Raises Stakes
Open-entry drivers Corey LaJoie and Jimmie Johnson delivered solid performances in Wednesday’s practice. LaJoie placed third overall in the No. 99 RFK Ford, posting a lap at 186.517 mph, while Johnson returned to Daytona finishing inside the top ten aboard the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota. These results boost momentum for open teams, which face the pressure of competing for a limited number of spots in the Daytona 500 field.
Eight open entries will vie for only four positions, making qualifying and the upcoming Duel races especially critical. Johnson’s status as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) adds intrigue to the lineup battles, with these early practice times setting the stage for tense competition over the next days.
Upcoming Qualifying and Races Will Define the Starting Grid
Following practice, teams moved quickly into technical inspection and the all-important single-car qualifying session at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday. This qualifying round will establish the front row for the Daytona 500, while Thursday night’s Duel races will determine the remainder of the starting lineup. With such close competition, every detail matters as teams try to gain any advantage before America’s largest NASCAR event.
For Chase Elliott, currently sidelined behind the leaders in pace, the coming sessions represent critical moments to close the gap. Meanwhile, Austin Cindric’s early speed puts Team Penske in a strong position, though maintaining consistent performance over longer runs remains essential. As Speedweeks unfold, the balance between speed, strategy, and reliability will be key to success at Daytona.
