Honestly, the energy around Daytona International Speedway this week is just different. Usually, by mid-January, we’re all just speculating about paint schemes and who’s going to "The Big One" on lap 40. But the Daytona 500 update live from the garage area right now is focused on one thing: the 41st car.
It’s official. Jimmie Johnson is back. But it’s not just a "legend doing a farewell tour" thing. NASCAR actually pulled a rabbit out of the hat by confirming Johnson will use the new Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) to lock himself into the 68th running of the Great American Race on February 15, 2026. This isn't just a stats padding move; it’s a massive shift in how the field is built. Typically, we’re looking at a 40-car cap, but the OEP expands the grid to 41.
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Wait. There’s a catch.
Why the 41st Car Changes Everything
Most people assume the Duel at Daytona races on Thursday night are just a formality for the big teams. Usually, they are. But with Johnson locked in via the provisional, the pressure on the "open" teams—those without charters—has reached a boiling point. Basically, Johnson gets to race for the trophy and All-Star eligibility, but he won't be collecting points or prize money. It’s a pure "glory run" in the No. 84 Carvana Toyota.
If you’re tracking the Daytona 500 update live feed, you’ve probably noticed the schedule is already humming. We aren't just looking at a Sunday afternoon cruise. The action actually starts way before that:
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- Wednesday, Feb 11: Qualifying at 8:15 p.m. ET. This is where the front row is set.
- Thursday, Feb 12: The "America 250 Florida Duel" races start at 7:00 p.m. ET.
- Sunday, Feb 15: The main event. Green flag is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The Miranda Lambert Factor and Pre-Race Hype
It’s not just about the roar of the engines. Miranda Lambert is headlining the pre-race show, which honestly feels like a throwback to the big-budget spectacles of the early 2000s. If you’re heading to the track, the "Full Throttle Festival" is the place to be. Bert Kreischer is apparently hosting a pre-party, so expect things to get a little loud and potentially shirtless.
But back to the asphalt.
William Byron is the guy with the massive target on his back. He won the 2024 race. Then he came back in 2025 and did it again in overtime, holding off Tyler Reddick by a razor-thin 0.113 seconds. If he pulls off a three-peat in 2026? We’re talking about entering a stratosphere of "Daytona Legend" that only a few names like Richard Petty or Cale Yarborough actually touch.
Technical Tweaks and What to Watch
The 2026 season is introducing some weird nuances. We’ve got an increase in horsepower at certain tracks, but at Daytona, it’s still all about the draft and that delicate dance of side-drafting.
Last year, the race saw 56 lead changes. Think about that. Every few laps, someone else was sticking their nose out front. The Ford camp, specifically Team Penske, dominated a lot of those laps. Austin Cindric led 59 laps last time out and still didn't win. That’s the heartbreak of this place. You can be the best car all day and get turned on the backstretch with two laps to go because someone behind you got "squirrelly."
The Weather Wildcard
Current long-range forecasts for Daytona Beach are calling for "sunny and mild" conditions for the Feb 13–25 window. That’s a relief. After the 2025 rain delay that pushed the finish into the night, everyone is praying for a dry track. A day race at Daytona is a different animal—the track is slicker, the tires wear more, and the drivers have to actually drive the car instead of just holding it wide open in a pack.
How to Follow the Action
If you aren't at the track, you’ve got options. FOX is the primary broadcaster, but there's a big shift this year with more integration on HBO Max.
- TV: FOX (2:30 p.m. ET Sunday)
- Radio: MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)
- Streaming: The NASCAR Mobile app is actually the best way to get the Daytona 500 update live telemetry, which shows you exactly how much throttle and brake the leaders are using in real-time.
What’s Actually at Stake
Beyond the $20 million+ purse and the Harley J. Earl trophy, this race sets the tone for the entire 2026 Cup Series. We’ve got new venues this year, like the race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego and the return to Chicagoland Speedway. But none of that matters if you wreck out on lap 2 at Daytona.
The biggest misconception is that it’s all luck. It’s not. It’s about being in the right lane at 195 mph when the "Big One" happens. Watch the Toyotas this year—specifically the Legacy Motor Club cars. With Johnson’s experience and the technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing, they might actually have the drafting speed to upset the Hendrick/Penske status quo.
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Duel results. The way the cars handle in those 150-mile sprints tells you everything you need to know about who has the "balance" to survive 500 miles on Sunday.
Next Steps:
Go ahead and set your DVR for the Duels on Thursday, Feb 12 at 7 p.m. ET. That is when you’ll see the real "trimmed out" speeds and figure out which underdogs are actually fast enough to stay in the lead pack.