The 2026 Daytona Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth runs from Wednesday, February 11, to Sunday, February 15, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
This kickoff to the NASCAR season features action across multiple series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS, referred to as NOAPS or O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in some sources), NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS), and ARCA Menards Series (AMS).
William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Peak Ford and Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald’s Toyota race during 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)
The schedule includes practices, qualifying sessions, and races, with additional happenings like fan zone openings, pre-race access, and potential concerts (details on concerts may be announced closer to the event; check official sites for updates).
All times are in Eastern Time (ET). TV coverage is primarily on FS1 for preliminary events and FOX for the Daytona 500. Radio coverage is available on MRN/SiriusXM. Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors; tickets and more details are available at nascar.com or daytonainternationalspeedway.com.
Date
Day
Time (ET)
Series
Event
TV/Radio
Happenings/Notes
Feb 11
Wednesday
10:00 AM
NCS
Practice
FS1/MRN
First on-track activity; gates open around 9:00 AM; Hard Rock Bet Fanzone opens for fan access.
Feb 11
Wednesday
8:15 PM
NCS
Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light
FS1/MRN
Determines front row for Daytona 500 and sets fields for Duels; single-car qualifying format.
Feb 12
Thursday
1:30 PM
NCTS
Practice
FS1
Truck series drivers get track time; potential for multi-session format.
Feb 12
Thursday
3:00 PM
NXS
Practice
FS1
Xfinity series preparation; focus on setup tweaks.
Feb 12
Thursday
4:30 PM
AMS
Practice
N/A (streaming possible)
ARCA teams shake down cars; often includes rookie sessions.
Feb 12
Thursday
7:00 PM
NCS
America 250 Florida Duel #1 (60 laps/150 miles)
FS1/MRN
Qualifying race sets odd positions (3rd, 5th, etc.) for Daytona 500.
Feb 12
Thursday
~8:45 PM
NCS
America 250 Florida Duel #2 (60 laps/150 miles)
FS1/MRN
Qualifying race sets even positions (4th, 6th, etc.) for Daytona 500; post-race press conferences.
Feb 13
Friday
1:30 PM
AMS
Qualifying
FS1
Sets starting grid for BRANDT 200.
Feb 13
Friday
3:00 PM
NCTS
Qualifying
FS1/MRN
Determines lineup for Fresh from Florida 250.
Feb 13
Friday
4:30 PM
NXS
Practice
FS1
Additional setup time for Xfinity teams.
Feb 13
Friday
5:35 PM
NCS
Practice
FS1/MRN
Final adjustments for Cup cars post-Duels.
Feb 13
Friday
7:30 PM
NCTS
Fresh from Florida 250 (100 laps/250 miles)
FS1/MRN
Season-opening Truck race; expect high-speed pack racing.
Feb 14
Saturday
10:30 AM
NXS
Qualifying
FS1/MRN
Sets grid for United Rentals 300.
Feb 14
Saturday
11:35 AM
NCS
Practice
FS1/MRN
Last Cup practice before the 500.
Feb 14
Saturday
1:30 PM
AMS
BRANDT 200 (80 laps/200 miles)
FS1/MRN
ARCA season opener; often features up-and-coming talent.
Feb 14
Saturday
5:00 PM
NXS
United Rentals 300 (120 laps/300 miles)
FS1/MRN
Xfinity season kickoff; intense superspeedway action.
Feb 15
Sunday
10:00 AM
NCS
Practice (if needed)
FS1
Optional or makeup session; rarely used unless weather issues.
Feb 15
Sunday
2:30 PM
NCS
68th Daytona 500 (200 laps/500 miles)
FOX/MRN
The Great American Race; pre-race concert (artist TBD), driver intros, and celebrity appearances; stages at laps 65/130/200.
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