when is daytona 500 qualifying

February 12, 2026

Daytona 500 Qualifying 2026: Date and Details The Daytona 500 qualifying for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season opener is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, starting at 8:00-8:15 PM ET at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This single-car qualifying session determines the front row for the "Great American Race" on Sunday, February 15, with the fastest 10 drivers advancing to a second round for the top two spots.

Event Schedule Highlights

Daytona Speedweeks kicks off with high-stakes action leading into the main event:

10:00 AM ET : Cup Series practice session to fine-tune setups on the high-banked 2.5-mile oval.

8:15 PM ET : Pole qualifying, where each of the 45 entered drivers gets one lap to chase glory—expect intense battles for speed and precision.

Following qualifying, Duel races on Thursday (February 12) set the rest of the 40-car field, blending strategy, drafting, and chaos typical of superspeedway showdowns.

Viewing Options

Catch the qualifying live on USA Network or stream via ** Peacock, NBC Sports app, or NASCAR's digital platforms**. Tickets for general admission start around $85, offering prime views of the stars vying for pole position.

Why It Matters

Securing the pole isn't just prestige—it's a massive edge in restrictor-plate racing, where starts dictate draft lines and alliances. Past polesitters like those from Joe Gibbs Racing have parlayed it into strong runs, as seen in recent years' quotes from drivers hyping their offseason prep. With 2026's field potentially featuring surprises like open exemptions for legends (e.g., Helio Castroneves' impact last year), fan forums buzz about underdogs crashing the top spots.

Aspect| Details
---|---
Date/Time| Feb 11, 2026, 8:00 PM ET 15
Format| Single-lap runs; top 10 to Round 2 3
Field Size| 45 entrants for 40 spots 8
TV/Stream| USA Network, Peacock 4
Venue| Daytona Int'l Speedway 1

TL;DR : Mark your calendar for February 11, 2026, at 8 PM ET—prime time for Daytona 500 qualifying thrills.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.