Kyle Busch Seizes Daytona 500 Pole, Race Time Adjusted for Weather
Kyle Busch will start from the pole position in the 68th running of the Daytona 500, marking his first pole win in 21 attempts at the iconic race. The Richard Childress Racing driver qualified with a lap time of 49.006 seconds, narrowly edging out Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing by just 0.016 seconds.
A New Chapter for Busch at RCR
This pole is a significant boost for Busch, who is currently riding a 93-race winless streak. He joined Richard Childress Racing before the 2023 season after a long tenure with Joe Gibbs Racing. While he secured three wins in his first season with RCR, his performance in 2025 saw him finish 21st in the standings and miss the playoffs.
Starting Grid Highlights
The rest of the 41-car field was determined by the results of the Daytona Duels held on February 12th. Here’s a look at the top 10 starters:
- Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing
- Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports
- Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing
- Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports
Race Time Change to Avoid Inclement Weather
NASCAR officials have moved the start time of the Daytona 500 up by one hour to 2:30 p.m. ET in an effort to beat approaching rain showers expected in Daytona Beach, Florida. The defending champion, William Byron, will also be among the competitors vying for the win.
Inspection Issue for Another Driver
Anthony Alfredo, originally qualified for the Daytona 500, was disallowed from the race due to a failure in post-Duel inspection.
FAQ
Q: Who won the pole for the 2026 Daytona 500?
A: Kyle Busch won the pole.
Q: What time is the Daytona 500 now scheduled to start?
A: The race is now scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Q: How many races has Kyle Busch won since joining Richard Childress Racing?
A: He has won three races since joining RCR, all in his first season.
Q: What is Kyle Busch’s current winless streak?
A: Busch is currently on a 93-race winless streak.
Q: Who is the defending champion of the Daytona 500?
A: William Byron is the defending champion.
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