Look, if you're trying to find the Daytona 500 leaderboard live right now, you’re likely staring at a screen waiting for the 68th running of "The Great American Race" to kick off on February 15, 2026. Or maybe you're stuck at work and need to know if your favorite driver just got swept up in the inevitable "Big One."
Speedweeks is always a chaotic blur. This year feels different, though. We’ve got the return of the "Chase" format—a massive shake-up announced just weeks ago—and a 41-car field that’s making qualifying more cutthroat than we've seen in a decade.
The energy at Daytona International Speedway is already peaking. Miranda Lambert is set for the pre-race show, the Air Force Thunderbirds are prepping the flyover, and the "Sky Formation" grass design on the ballfield looks sharp. But none of that matters when the green flag drops and you're hunting for real-time gap times and pit strategy.
Where to Find the Daytona 500 Leaderboard Live
Honestly, the official NASCAR app is still your best bet for pure data. They’ve integrated this "Raw Feed" feature that lets you see basically what a Crew Chief sees—we're talking 75 different data points including throttle percentage and brake pressure.
If you're at the track, the app has an offline mode now, which is a lifesaver because cell service at the Speedway is notoriously spotty when 150,000 people are trying to post to Instagram at once.
For those of us at home, the live leaderboard on NASCAR.com usually stays a few seconds ahead of the TV broadcast. If you’ve ever noticed your neighbor cheering five seconds before you see the pass on Fox, that’s why.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
Betting Odds and the Front Runners
The early 2026 odds are out, and it’s a coin flip at the top. Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano are currently tied as favorites. It makes sense. Penske has been a powerhouse at superspeedways lately.
But keep an eye on William Byron. He’s coming off back-to-back Daytona 500 wins (2024 and 2025). If he pulls off a three-peat this year, he’s entering territory only legends like Cale Yarborough have touched.
The Jimmie Johnson Factor
Let's talk about the No. 84 Carvana Toyota. Jimmie Johnson is back again, and this time he’s using an "Open Exemption Provisional" to lock himself into the field.
It’s an interesting move. It basically guarantees the seven-time champ a spot regardless of his qualifying speed or how he finishes in the Bluegreen Vacations Duels. For fans following the Daytona 500 leaderboard live, seeing Johnson’s name near the top of the lap-count leaderboards is a nostalgic trip, but he’s here to compete, not just for a farewell tour.
Why the Leaderboard Fluxes So Much
Daytona isn't like Martinsville or Bristol. You don't just "lead" a race. You survive it.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
The leaderboard will look like a slot machine for the first 150 laps. Because of the draft, the car in 20th place is often only two seconds behind the leader. You’ll see "trains" of cars—Chevys on the bottom, Fords on the top—trying to push each other to the front.
One mistimed bump from a driver like Ross Chastain or Tyler Reddick, and half the leaderboard disappears in a cloud of smoke.
Watching the "Big One" Impact
When you’re tracking the race live, you have to watch the "DNF" (Did Not Finish) column as much as the P1 spot. Last year, a massive wreck on Lap 186 wiped out Logano, Blaney, and Kyle Busch all at once.
If you see a sudden, massive shift in the standings, check the "Caution" flag status. In 2026, with the revised points system, every stage win is worth its weight in gold. Drivers are going to be more aggressive at the Lap 65 and Lap 130 marks than ever before.
Technical Glitches and How to Fix Them
Sometimes the live trackers freeze. It’s annoying. Usually, it's a browser cache issue. If the lap count isn't ticking up, a quick refresh usually does the trick. Or, jump over to the "Scanner" feed. Hearing the actual audio between the driver and the spotter often tells you more about a car’s health than a digital leaderboard ever could.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
2026 Daytona 500 Entry Highlights
- William Byron (No. 24): Looking for the historic three-peat.
- Justin Allgaier: Back with JR Motorsports in their expanded Cup presence.
- Cole Custer: Representing the new-look Haas Factory Team.
- Kyle Larson: Always a threat, but Daytona has been his Achilles' heel.
Actionable Strategy for Race Day
To get the most out of your viewing experience, don't just watch the TV. Open the Daytona 500 leaderboard live on a second screen.
Watch the "Interval" column. If the gap between the lead pack and the second pack starts growing beyond 1.5 seconds, the lead pack is likely "fuel saving." This is the boring-but-crucial part of the race where drivers back off the throttle to extend their pit window.
When that interval starts shrinking rapidly, it means the chargers are coming, and a wreck is likely brewing.
Keep an eye on the pit road speeds too. A "Too Fast on Pit Road" penalty on Lap 190 is a death sentence for a driver’s chances, even if they’ve led 100 laps.
Stay locked into the live updates as the sun sets over the Florida coast. The transition from day to night changes the track temperature, usually making the cars "tighter" and the racing even more desperate as the finish line nears.
To stay fully updated, sync your NASCAR Mobile app with your TV broadcast using the "Pause" feature. This aligns the live audio scanner with your screen, ensuring you hear the driver's reaction to a crash at the exact moment you see the sparks fly.