NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell recently addressed the ongoing speculation about whether former President Donald Trump will attend the NASCAR Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026. Speaking to Sportico ahead of the event at Daytona International Speedway, O’Donnell admitted that he currently has no information confirming Trump’s attendance but acknowledged that there remains a possibility.
Trump, who previously attended the Daytona 500 in both 2020 and 2025, has maintained a notable yet unpredictable presence in major sports events. After significant sporting appearances last year, including the Greatest American Race and the Super Bowl, the former president skipped Super Bowl LX held in Santa Clara, California, earlier this month, citing the distance as a factor. His plans for the upcoming 200-lap race remain unclear as of now.
O’Donnell Reflects on Past Attendance and Offers Insight
When asked about Trump’s attendance, Steve O’Donnell was candid about his lack of concrete details. He recalled past instances when announcements about Trump’s presence came with very little notice.
“If I had a Bible, I’d put my hand on the Bible, and the answer would be I don’t know. As of today, no. But we get short notice. I think a couple years ago we didn’t even get notice until Thursday. So there’s definitely been interest in attending the race with the celebration of the USA 250… But who knows? We’ll see. But as of today, I’m not aware of it happening.”
This statement highlights the unpredictability surrounding last-minute decisions often tied to high-profile figures and reflects the fluid nature of event scheduling at NASCAR’s most significant races.
Details on the 2026 NASCAR Season Opener and Associated Events
The Daytona 500, the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, is set to take place at 2:30 p.m. ET on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. Fans will be able to watch the race live on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM, and HBO Max. Further into the year, NASCAR plans to host the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado on June 21, highlighting a busy racing schedule ahead.
Efforts to Rebuild Trust With Teams Amid Changes to the Race Format
Earlier this year, in January 2026, Steve O’Donnell spoke with Kelly Crandall about the challenges NASCAR faces following a damaging antitrust lawsuit involving teams like 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. This legal battle affected NASCAR’s public reputation and contributed to internal changes, including the departure of former NASCAR president Steve Phelps.
One major shift for this season is the reinstatement of the Chase playoff format, which replaces the elimination-style system many fans and teams found frustrating. This format, last used 14 years ago, was influenced partly by the 2024 championship win of driver Joey Logano.
Despite the format change, O’Donnell emphasized that it alone won’t solve all problems around trust and fan engagement.
“I don’t want anyone to think we’re naive and just going to change this format and everything is great. We think it’s one component of what we need to do. I was talking to Eric Shanks at Fox, and he said, ‘You guys need to get the garage back,’ and I think that’s fair.”
“It’s hard to win these races. It’s hard to be in the top 10. Really important for us to get back to these storylines. We think the fans will come with us. We’ve got work to do on this. It’s not lost on anyone of us at NASCAR. We have talented people who are hungry to get back to where we were. We’re going to work our a**es off for the industry to deliver to our race fans,” he concluded.
Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds for NASCAR and Its Fanbase
The NASCAR Daytona 500 remains a marquee event, and the uncertainty surrounding high-profile attendees such as Donald Trump adds to the anticipation and speculation. Meanwhile, NASCAR’s leadership is focused on healing rifts with teams and fans, especially after recent challenges posed by legal disputes and evolving competition formats.
As the season unfolds, the reintroduction of the Chase format seeks to rekindle fan enthusiasm and restore competitive balance, though NASCAR executives understand that rebuilding trust will require sustained effort beyond rule changes. The upcoming races, including the Daytona 500 and later events like the Anduril 250, will serve as key indicators of whether NASCAR can successfully navigate these transitions and maintain its standing in American motorsports.
Is President Trump going to the Daytona 500?
"As of today no, but we get short notice." said Steve O'Donnell, President of @nascar pic.twitter.com/3uJBBDyKKa
— Sportico (@Sportico) February 11, 2026
