Quick Read
- Kyle Larson started the 2026 Daytona 500 from the eighth position.
- The 68th Daytona 500 marked the opening of the NASCAR Cup Series season.
- Larson participated in pre-race events, including a Fanzone appearance and a TV segment with Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon.
- Hendrick Motorsports aimed for its 11th Daytona 500 win and a record third consecutive organizational victory.
- The race start time was moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET due to a rain forecast for later in the evening.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Azat TV) – NASCAR star Kyle Larson took to the track from the eighth starting position for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as the NASCAR Cup Series officially opened its season at Daytona International Speedway. His team, Hendrick Motorsports, entered the iconic race with ambitions of securing a historic third consecutive Daytona 500 victory and its record 11th overall win.
Larson, driving the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, was a key figure in the pre-race festivities before the green flag dropped around 2:13 p.m. ET. The start time for the “Great American Race” had been moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday by NASCAR officials, anticipating a forecast of evening rain in Daytona Beach, according to Hendrick Motorsports reports.
Kyle Larson’s Daytona 500 Start and Pre-Race Engagements
Kyle Larson secured the eighth spot on the starting grid for the 2026 Daytona 500, following a two-day qualifying process that set the 41-car field. The front row was determined by Wednesday night qualifying, with the remaining positions filled during Thursday evening’s Duels, as detailed by News-JournalOnline. This placement positioned Larson well within the top ten as the season’s premier event commenced.
Before the race, Larson was actively involved in fan and media engagements. He made an appearance in the Fan Zone at Daytona International Speedway alongside teammate Chase Elliott. Additionally, Larson participated in a sit-down conversation on “NASCAR RaceDay,” featuring Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick and vice chairman Jeff Gordon, which aired at 11:30 a.m. ET on FOX. These engagements underscored his prominence within the sport and the Hendrick organization.
Hendrick Motorsports Eyes Daytona 500 Records
Hendrick Motorsports arrived at Daytona with significant aspirations beyond individual driver performance. The team was vying for its 11th Daytona 500 victory, a feat that would extend its own record. More notably, if a Hendrick Motorsports driver claimed the win, it would mark the first time any organization has won three consecutive Daytona 500s. William Byron, the two-time defending champion and also a Hendrick Motorsports driver, had the opportunity to make history himself by becoming the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s. Byron, driving the No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet, started from the 39th position after qualifying.
The team’s commitment to excellence was also highlighted by a pre-race ceremony where the No. 24 team received its 2025 Daytona 500-winning car back, a custom that sees the previous year’s victor displayed for a year at the track.
The 2026 NASCAR Season Kicks Off
The 68th Daytona 500 officially launched the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, bringing together a field of 41 elite drivers to compete on the high banks of Daytona International Speedway. Despite earlier concerns about weather, temperatures were expected to reach the high 70s, with thunderstorms not anticipated until 7 p.m. ET or later, providing a clear window for the race start. The event not only serves as a standalone spectacle but also sets the tone for the competitive season ahead, with drivers like Kyle Larson aiming to begin their championship campaigns on a high note.
Kyle Larson’s consistent presence at the forefront of major NASCAR events, combined with Hendrick Motorsports’ ambitious pursuit of historic team records at the Daytona 500, underscores the high stakes and competitive intensity that characterized the opening of the 2026 Cup Series season.