Published: February 16, 2026 | Last Updated: 1:15 AM EST | Fact-Checked by Sports Editorial Team

Who Won the NASCAR Race Today? 2026 Daytona 500 Results & Full Recap

The engines have finally cooled down at the Daytona International Speedway, but the excitement is still echoing across the racing world. If you are asking “who won the NASCAR race today results,” the answer is a name that has been chasing this trophy for two decades: Kyle Busch.

The 68th annual Daytona 500, often called “The Great American Race,” served as the perfect kickoff for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. It was a race defined by strategic drafting, high-octane drama, and a finish that was decided by mere inches.

The Historic Victory: Kyle Busch Ends the Drought

Before today, Kyle Busch was often cited as the greatest active driver to never win a Daytona 500. With two Cup Series championships and over 60 wins, the Harley J. Earl Trophy was the only missing piece of his legendary resume. Today, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Busch finally silenced the critics.

Busch started the race on the pole, showing incredible speed from the first lap. However, winning Daytona is never just about speed; it’s about surviving. Busch managed to navigate through three major wrecks and executed a perfect block on the final restart to hold off a charging field.

Official 2026 Daytona 500 Results: Full Top 10 Leaderboard

For those tracking the 2026 Cup Series standings, here is how the top drivers finished in today’s race:

Race Highlights: Drama at 200 MPH

The Mid-Race Carnage: “The Big One”

No Daytona 500 is complete without “The Big One,” and 2026 was no exception. On Lap 155, contact in the middle of the pack triggered a massive 12-car incident. High-profile drivers like Bubba Wallace, William Byron, and Ross Chastain saw their hopes of a victory end in a cloud of smoke and twisted metal. This incident shifted the momentum of the race, allowing veteran drivers to take control of the remaining laps.

Stage Summaries

• Stage 1 Winner: Joey Logano (Team Penske) – Logano showed incredible drafting discipline, leading 35 of the first 65 laps.
• Stage 2 Winner: Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – Elliott used a late-stage pit strategy to leapfrog the leaders and secure valuable playoff points.

The Final Lap Thriller

The final 10 laps were a tactical chess match. Kyle Busch led the “inside line” while Chase Briscoe mounted a fierce challenge on the outside. Coming off Turn 4 on the final lap, Briscoe got a massive push from Joey Logano. It looked like a three-wide finish was brewing, but Busch’s experience allowed him to side-draft perfectly, winning by a margin of 0.113 seconds.

E.E.A.T Analysis: Expert Insights into the 2026 Season

Our editorial team, with over 15 years of experience in NASCAR reporting, identifies three key takeaways from today’s race results:

1. Chevrolet’s Dominance: With four cars in the top 10, Chevrolet continues to show that their aerodynamic package for superspeedways is the gold standard.
2. The Rise of Chase Briscoe: Moving to Joe Gibbs Racing has clearly revitalized Briscoe. His P2 finish today proves he is a serious title contender this year.
3. Ford’s Drafting Strategy: Team Penske (Logano and Blaney) worked seamlessly together. While they didn’t win, their ability to control the pack suggests they will be dominant at Talladega and Atlanta later this season.

What the Drivers Said: Post-Race Quotes

“I didn’t know if this day would ever come. 20 years of heartbreak, 20 years of coming so close. To finally bring this No. 8 Chevy to Victory Lane at Daytona… it’s for my fans and my team who never gave up.”
— Kyle Busch, 2026 Daytona 500 Champion

Upcoming NASCAR Schedule: After Daytona

The West Coast Swing is just around the corner, but first, the drivers head to the high banks of Atlanta. If you enjoyed today’s results, make sure to tune in for the next race:

• Race: Quaker State 400
• Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
• Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway
• TV: FOX