The official launch of the NASCAR season took place on Wednesday as 43 of the 45 drivers aiming to compete in the 2026 DAYTONA 500 tested the 2.5-mile superspeedway for the first time during the practice session at Daytona International Speedway. This crucial day set the stage for the evening’s qualifying rounds, which will determine the front row starters and which two Open Entries will secure spots in the famed Great American Race.
Cindric Leads the Field with Fastest Lap
Austin Cindric, who claimed victory in the 2022 DAYTONA 500, recorded the fastest lap of the 50-minute session, completing a circuit in 48.025 seconds at an average speed of 187.402 mph in his No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Running 13 laps during the session, Cindric’s quickest time was boosted by strategic drafting alongside another car, granting him a slight edge over his competitors.
Top Performers in Practice and Drafting Strategies
Following closely behind Cindric was Ross Chastain, who also benefited from drafting, securing the second-fastest time. Corey LaJoie and Bubba Wallace rounded out third and fourth spots, respectively, both similarly aided by drafting techniques. Daniel Suarez, driving for Spire Motorsports in his first points race with the team, finished fifth quickest, demonstrating strong potential in this early practice phase.
Additional Standouts and Open Entry Positions
Alex Bowman, known for holding the record for most front row starts in DAYTONA 500 history, took sixth place in practice, followed by Erik Jones, Corey Heim, Kyle Larson, and Jimmie Johnson completing the top ten. Johnson, piloting the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, is listed as an Open Entry but will start 41st thanks to NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional.
Among Open Entries, Justin Allgaier earned the distinction of being the fourth-fastest in the category with a 19th-place overall finish. Anthony Alfredo, Chandler Smith, BJ McLeod, Casey Mears, and JJ Yeley were ranked fifth through ninth among Open Entries.
Drivers Skipping Practice and Upcoming Qualifying
Todd Gilliland of Front Row Motorsports and Michael McDowell from Spire Motorsports opted out of Wednesday’s practice session, reserving their first track time for the single-car qualifying runs scheduled for the evening. The qualifying event, airing at 8:15 PM ET on FOX Sports 1, will directly determine which two Open Entries earn their place in the DAYTONA 500, while additional spots will be contested in Thursday’s Duel races.
Setting the Stage for the 2026 NASCAR Season
This opening practice session offers early signs of which drivers and teams are prepared to contend in the 2026 DAYTONA 500. Austin Cindric’s pace, along with strong performances from veterans and newer competitors like Daniel Suarez, signals a competitive and promising season ahead. As the qualifying rounds approach, fans will watch closely to see who secures prime starting positions and how the Open Entries will battle for their place in this iconic event.
“The Mooresville, North Carolina-native ran a total of 13 laps during the session on Wednesday, but this third was the quickest and involved some drafting help from another vehicle on the speedway, thus giving him a tenth of a second advantage in the final rundown.” – Source
“Johnson, driving the No. 84 Carvana Toyota Camry XSE for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, is technically listed as an Open Entry, but as a result of requesting the Open Exemption Provisional from NASCAR, is guaranteed to start the DAYTONA 500 as a 41st entry.” – Source
