The Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 marks the official beginning of the NASCAR season, with five straight days of high-stakes action at Daytona International Speedway. From Cup Series practice to the iconic Daytona 500, Speedweeks sets the competitive tone for the year across multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Cup Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA.
Following Ryan Preece’s victory in the weather-delayed Clash at Bowman Gray, attention now shifts to points racing. The Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 begins Wednesday, February 11, and culminates Sunday, February 15, with the 68th running of the Daytona 500.
Daytona Speedweeks Schedule 2026: Full Daily Breakdown
The Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 opens Wednesday, February 11, with Cup Series practice at 10 a.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo, followed by Cup Series qualifying at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo.
On Thursday, February 12, the action intensifies. Truck Series practice begins at 5 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo. The Cup Series Duels follow, with Duel 1 at 7 p.m. ET and Duel 2 at 8:45 p.m. ET, both airing on FS1 and Fubo. These Duels determine the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 outside of the front row already locked in through qualifying.
Friday, February 13, continues the Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 with Truck Series qualifying at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo. O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on The CW and Fubo. Cup Series practice returns at 5:35 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo, before the Craftsman Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250 takes the green flag at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo.
Saturday, February 14, features O’Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying at 10 a.m. ET on The CW and Fubo. The ARCA General Tire 200 follows at 12 p.m. ET on Fox and Fubo. Cup Series practice runs at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 and Fubo, before the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series United Rentals 300 begins at 5 p.m. ET on The CW and Fubo.
The week concludes Sunday, February 15, when the Daytona 500 headlines the Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox and Fubo.
Where to Watch Daytona Speedweeks Schedule 2026
Fans can watch the entire Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 across Fox, FS1 and The CW Network. Every event is also available via live stream on Fubo, which provides access to Fox and FS1 programming.
Radio coverage will air on SiriusXM channel 90, including Cup Series qualifying, the Duels, the Truck Series race and the Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 broadcast will also feature multiple driver-specific audio channels, allowing fans to follow their preferred competitors throughout the race.
Daytona Speedweeks Schedule 2026 and the Daytona 500 Spotlight
The central event of the Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 remains the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s most prestigious race. The 500 not only opens the Cup Series points season but also serves as a benchmark for championship aspirations.
The Duels on February 12 will finalize the Daytona 500 starting grid, adding tension to Thursday night’s races. Superspeedway racing at Daytona is notoriously unpredictable, and even minor drafting errors can end championship hopes before they begin.
NASCAR Cup Series Outlook After Daytona Speedweeks 2026
Once the Daytona 500 concludes the Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series continues with the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway on February 22, followed by races at Circuit of the Americas and Phoenix Raceway in early March.
The 2026 Cup Series schedule stretches through November 8, when the championship race takes place at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The playoff slate begins September 6 with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Daytona Speedweeks often shapes early championship narratives. Strong performances can establish momentum, while crashes and mechanical failures can immediately put drivers on the back foot in the points standings.
What to Expect
The Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 is more than just a ceremonial season opener; it is a high-pressure stretch that blends preparation with immediate consequences. The Duels determine Daytona 500 positions, ARCA and Truck Series drivers begin their championship pursuits, and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debuts under its new sponsorship identity.
With superspeedway drafting, close-quarters racing and championship implications from the outset, Daytona Speedweeks remains one of the most watched stretches of the NASCAR calendar.
As engines fire on February 11, the Daytona Speedweeks schedule 2026 once again promises speed, strategy and spectacle, all building toward the sport’s most iconic race under the Florida sun.
