Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports agree to multiyear contract extension

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by Zach Sturniolo

Kyle Larson signed a five-year contract extension to remain with Hendrick Motorsports as the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series through the 2031 season, the team announced Wednesday evening.

Larson will continue to carry HendrickCars.com as his primary sponsor on the No. 5 car, with the company announcing a matching five-year extension in conjunction with Larson’s stay to solidify the pairing with Hendrick Motorsports into the next decade. Additionally, crew chief Cliff Daniels has signed a multiyear contract to remain the leader of Larson’s No. 5 team.

MORE: 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

Larson is the defending Cup Series champion, winning his second title in 2025 after scoring three victories last year. A 32-time winner in NASCAR’s top division, 26 of those triumphs have come since taking over the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick in 2021 with Daniels’ guidance. Larson is optimistic plenty more of that success remains ahead of him.

“I think anytime you can sign a contract, it’s a good thing,” Larson told NASCAR.com in an exclusive teleconference. “Obviously, I believe Hendrick Motorsports is the best in the sport, and to be associated with that for a good part of the next future is super exciting.

“And I think tying it together with Cliff Daniels and I both aligning is really important for the strength of the 5 team and where we continue to head. Super happy and hopefully we can keep up our success and accomplish a lot of good things along in the next (five) years.”

Larson’s stay at Hendrick signals further stability for the organization by retaining Larson, the company’s first multi-time champion since Jimmie Johnson earned all seven of his Cup titles driving Hendrick’s No. 48 car.

Daniels was a member of Johnson’s team when he claimed his seventh championship in 2016, was Johnson’s crew chief for a season and a half in 2019-20, and remains atop the pit box this season. In 2025, Daniels oversaw significant change and adaptability across the No. 5 team in leading the team to a championship that, at times, seemed unlikely.

“I think I’ve always had that trust in Cliff,” Larson said. “So when we were making big moves like we were last year, say with pit crew or mechanics and stuff, I wasn’t ever that worried. I was really more so just excited because of the trust that I have in him, and I know the amount of thought that he puts into everything. So I knew whatever decision he was making was going to work itself out to be the correct one. You know, it might take time — which it did throughout last year, but then even through the rougher stretches of races that we were having, I wouldn’t have wanted anybody else leading our team to get back on track and get pointed in the right direction to go chase a championship. And I think all that played out that way last year.”

HendrickCars.com has been an anchor sponsor of Larson’s endeavors with the No. 5 team since Larson pivoted to Hendrick Motorsports. HendrickCars.com will continue to serve as Larson’s primary sponsor for 35 of 38 Cup race weekends, including exhibitions, each year.

“We’re incredibly grateful for this partnership with our teammates at Hendrick Motorsports,” Jeffrey “JB” Brown, president of Hendrick Automotive Group, said in a team release. “Since 2021, the program has consistently delivered a nearly three-to-one return with record-breaking traffic to HendrickCars.com, over $80 million in television exposure and tens of millions of social media engagements. As we enter our company’s 50th anniversary year, racing has driven results and united our teammates in such a powerful way that extending our relationship with Kyle, Cliff and this championship team was a no-brainer.”

The blue, white and red paint scheme that features HendrickCars.com on the No. 5 Chevrolet has become a staple on the Cup Series grid this decade as one of the most recognizable cars on track. That isn’t lost on Larson, who has expanded his relationship with HendrickCars.com outside the NASCAR world and into his dirt-racing endeavors.

“To have the success that we’ve had together since 2021 and looking on to the future again, just tying it all together, I hope we can go on a really good run,” Larson said. “You know, when you think of Jeff (Gordon), I feel like you think of DuPont. When you think of Jimmie Johnson, you think of Lowe’s. So yeah, I think a lot of it’s the same with us, so hopefully we can just do a good job.”

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

Larson, 33, has won three of NASCAR’s four crown-jewel events, including the 2021 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the 2023 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the 2024 Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Elk Grove, California, native is chasing a win in the Daytona 500 to complete a victory quartet of storied stock-car races. Larson will have his 13th chance to win the “Great American Race” as the NASCAR Cup Series begins its 2026 season with the Daytona 500 on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“When you look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level year after year, it starts with people,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, said in a release. “Kyle is one of the most complete drivers in our sport. His talent, work ethic and instincts give us a chance to win every time we race. Cliff is a true servant leader who brings out the best in everyone around him and sets the standard for how we go to the track. Having HendrickCars.com alongside this group continues to create real, measurable value for our automotive business. Together, it’s a combination that will keep winning races and competing for championships for a long time.”

Larson joined the Cup ranks full-time in 2014, then driving the No. 42 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing after a highly successful charge through the dirt-racing ranks. While at Ganassi, Larson won six Cup races in addition to a victory in the 2015 Rolex 24 endurance race at the Daytona International Speedway road course in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

His background and subsequent success have, in some ways, mirrored those of Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR Hall of Famer and four-time Cup Series champion. Larson has stated he doesn’t spend time thinking much about his legacy, but Gordon has long been one of his idols.

Gordon since returned that fandom in Larson’s favor, dating back to at least 2014 when he and then-rookie Larson shared a fierce but thrilling battle for second place at Chicagoland Speedway. In the decade-plus since then, the two have grown to be friends as much as they’ve grown as a boss and employee.

“Jeff Gordon is somebody I’ve looked up to my whole life, since before I started racing,” Larson said. “You know, I was a massive Jeff Gordon fan like many of us were. And then that relationship has grown into more like not a working relationship — more of just a friendship, which I think is what makes any working relationship a good one. So yeah, I really enjoy having Jeff in my corner. I think he’s obviously a big fan of mine. Been a fan of mine for a long time. Both growing up in Northern California, I think a lot of the ties together that we have — although a couple decades apart — I think he’s always rooted for me.”

The strong relationships between Larson and those at Hendrick Motorsports extend from those who work on his No. 5 Chevrolet to the top with team owner Rick Hendrick. Larson delivered immediate on-track results joining in 2021, leading the program to a 10-win season, an All-Star Race victory and the Cup Series championship. Larson’s continued growth off-track is something he credits, in part, to Hendrick.

MORE: Rick Hendrick’s racing history includes time in the driver’s seat

“I had mentioned earlier just being surrounded by good people, and it starts with Rick,” Larson said. “He’s just a great, great person. And I think that relationship has allowed me to mature as a racer, as a teammate, as a leader, and I’m just so, so grateful. Just an amazing person, and you can just tell that he cares about every single person that works for him, so it makes you want to do a good job for him and do the best job you can every single day.”

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by Reid Spencer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brad Keselowski arrived for his Daytona 500 Media Day interviews walking with a cane to support his right leg, which has been healing from a broken femur.

It wasn’t just any cane, mind you. This one bore sponsorship stickers relating to his No. 6 RFK Racing Ford.

“I knew I was probably going to get picked on a little bit,” said Keselowski, who on Feb. 9 was cleared to race in Sunday’s Daytona 500 (1:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) after missing the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. “So, I might as well just at some point own it. I won’t say it (the decals) was my idea, but I actually thought it was a good one.”

Keselowski broke his leg by slipping on ice during a family ski vacation in mid-December. He explained that the injury was far more severe than the broken ankle he suffered in a wreck at Road Atlanta in 2011.

As he was lying on the ice after the recent accident, Keselowski was beset with a grim thought.

“When I was laying on the ground and I was completely immobile immediately after I broke my leg, what was going through my mind was like, oh my God. Like, think about the soldiers in the Civil War,” Keselowski said. “Like, they just would cut their leg off right here.

“And I understood why they would do it, because it hurt so bad. It was by far the worst pain I’ve ever went through. I get why they would bring out the hacksaw. There was a part of me that was like, that might actually feel better.”

MORE: Power Rankings | 2026 Cup Series schedule

Keselowski expects to be able to drive at Daytona, though David Ragan will stand by as a relief driver. Less certain is whether he can handle the rigors of the Circuit of The Americas on March 1 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

As a consequence, sports car star Joey Hand has already been enlisted as a backup for that race.

Patrick McDermott | Getty Images

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by Zack Albert

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When Connor Zilisch first came to the Daytona 500 four years ago, the experience was radically different than the one he’s sensing now. He’d been tutoring a go-kart student in Orlando and jumped at the offer to trade some of his pay for a ticket and lodging. Lacking the connections or influence to get into the pits or garage, the 15-year-old Zilisch still soaked in the “Great American Race” from the grandstands.

“I thought, ‘Man, what a cool opportunity that would be,'” Zilisch recalls.

Four years later, Zilisch carries anticipation for an even greater opportunity, set for his first Daytona 500 experience as a driver with a fresh NASCAR Cup Series patch on the chest of his fire suit. It’s a short turnaround time, transforming from teenaged ‘sure-I’ll-go’ fan who’d never raced an oval to can’t-miss Trackhouse Racing prospect to a still-teenaged and heavily hyped Cup Series rookie in the span of an election cycle.

The time for that big-league career to hatch is now, just days away from kicking off his first full Cup season Sunday in the most prestigious race of the year (1:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

“I think it just shows how quickly life can change,” Zilisch said from Wednesday’s Media Day rounds. “You never know what’s going to happen. It’s just crazy how things in life can happen. You just have to give it your all every day, don’t give up. I think it shows that anything’s possible.”

How Zilisch performs in the week-to-week pressure cooker of stock-car racing’s top division stands as one of the biggest early question marks for the 2026 Cup Series season. He’s running unopposed in pursuit of the series’ top rookie honors, but the promise he’s shown at each stage of his rapid rise along the racing ladder has created a buzz about him.

The stir has been comparable to much-talked-about debuts of the past. Joey Logano’s rookie venture at NASCAR’s top level came as an 18-year-old trumpeted as “Sliced Bread” in 2009. Earlier, Jeff Gordon burst into the rookie ranks in 1993 at just 21 years old on the way to a Hall of Fame career. His first Cup appearance at Daytona was a dazzler; that year, he split the victories in the Daytona 500 qualifying races with Dale Earnhardt.

Zilisch is gracious that his name is mentioned in the same paragraph as Gordon’s. That flattery hasn’t made it easier for him to grasp.

“Yeah, it’s hard to comprehend, I would say. I think it’s – I don’t know why yet, right?” Zilisch says. “I’ve run, obviously, a lot of races in the lower levels. But to be compared to Jeff Gordon, I feel like you’ve got to do something at this level and I’ve yet to do that. I haven’t had the opportunity to do that. That starts this year, and I’m hoping to make a name for myself. It’s certainly going to take time to get to the level of a guy like him.”

At just 19, Zilisch seems to have plenty of time ahead of him, but it’s worth noting now much he’s accomplished so far in his brief tenure. A pair of class wins in IMSA sports-car competition foreshadowed some of the successes to come, and he burned up the ARCA circuits before reaching the national NASCAR stage. His first full schedule in what’s now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series yielded a whopping 10 wins, including a stretch of seven out of eight to close out the regular season.

Zilisch just missed sealing the series championship last November, winding up just two positions shy of the crown behind eventual winner Jesse Love. He was crestfallen after the checkered flag, but said that the shock and disappointment didn’t last long past the season finale.

“Yeah, I got past it pretty quick,” Zilisch said. “It was probably a week or so, less than a week, and I quickly realized I have a lot more to be excited about than I do to sit there and get upset about the fact that I didn’t win a championship. So yeah, it’s just the fact that if I didn’t have anything going for me and that was my make-or-break moment, it would have been different. But I have a lot to look forward to and a lot to work on moving forward, and that needs to be my focus.”

Little seems to rattle Zilisch, who explains he’s ready for all the newness that his first Cup Series campaign will contain. “I’ve learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” says the young phenom, noting how he’s tried to adapt to the each new experience.

MORE: Power Rankings | Media Day photos

The poise that’s accompanied Zilisch on that path has his Trackhouse Racing teammates taking note.

“Gosh, I don’t know how [his family] raised him, but they did a really good job,” says Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain. “It’s probably something that we need to study, because they turned out a great kid, mature beyond … like, it’s not fair how mature he is. Definitely still signs that he’s his age, but yeah, the speed on track together with the composure off track is cool to see, and we’ve already had some good times together this year.”

Zilisch says he’s looking for more of those special moments as Sunday’s “Great American Race” approaches, anticipating the build-up to pre-race ceremonies, walking across the stage for driver introductions before a sold-out grandstand and then strapping into his No. 88 Chevrolet for the 200-lap race itself.

The contrast from Zilisch’s first 500 as a spectator to this weekend’s Daytona debut from the driver’s seat is a dramatic one, but in each case, gathering memorable moments takes priority.

“I guess I’m here now, and I have to process it,” Zilisch says. “I’m just excited for it. I’m not sure what other people say about their first Daytona 500 experience, but my goal this weekend is to enjoy it, take it all in and try to make the most of it on Sunday, and do the best job I can. But I just want to have fun. I want to be able to remember this weekend as something that I enjoyed, and that I checked all the boxes and experienced everything I could.”

Posted on February 11, 2026February 13, 2026 by Staff Report

The NASCAR Cup, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and NASCAR Craftsman Truck series all kick off the 2026 season this weekend at Daytona International Speedway. Check out the qualifying orders for all three series as they become available.

MORE: Weekend schedule | How to watch NASCAR on TV

Cup Series
Single-car qualifying will set the front row for the Daytona 500 and will take place at 8:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday (FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). To learn more about how the Daytona 500 lineup is set through single-car qualifying and the Duels (7 p.m. ET, Thursday, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), click here.

Pos	Car	Driver	Team
1	*67	* Corey Heim(i)	Robinhood Toyota
2	*40	* Justin Allgaier(i)	Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet
3	43	Erik Jones	AdventHealth Toyota
4	10	Ty Dillon	Grizzly Nicotine Pouches Chevrolet
5	41	Cole Custer	HaasTooling.com Chevrolet
6	60	Ryan Preece	Kroger/Viva Towels Ford
7	*66	* Casey Mears	SI Yachts/Gracie Foundation Ford
8	34	Todd Gilliland	Love's Travel Stops Ford
9	7	Daniel Suárez	Freeway Insurance Chevrolet
10	*84	* Jimmie Johnson	Carvana Toyota
11	4	Noah Gragson	Rush Truck Centers Ford
12	16	AJ Allmendinger	Celsius Chevrolet
13	35	Riley Herbst	Monster Energy Zero Sugar Toyota
14	*36	* Chandler Smith(i)	Quick Tie/Matheus Lumber Ford
15	77	Carson Hocevar	Spectrum Chevrolet
16	8	Kyle Busch	zone Jalapeno Lime Chevrolet
17	88	Connor Zilisch#	Red Bull Chevrolet
18	3	Zane Smith	Speedy Cash Ford
19	42	John Hunter Nemechek	Dollar Tree Toyota
20	*78	* BJ McLeod	Superior Logistics Chevrolet
21	*44	* JJ Yeley(i)	Built To Work/Barnett Southern Chevrolet
22	47	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	Chef Boyardee Chevrolet
23	*62	* Anthony Alfredo(i)	Dude Wipes Chevrolet
24	71	Michael McDowell	Modo Casino Chevrolet
25	*99	* Corey LaJoie	Trimble Ford
26	45	Tyler Reddick	Chumba Casino Toyota
27	3	Austin Dillon	Bass Pro Shops/Winchester Chevrolet
28	21	Josh Berry	Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford
29	9	Chase Elliott	NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet
30	24	William Byron	Raptor Chevrolet
31	97	Shane van Gisbergen	SuperFile Chevrolet
32	1	Ross Chastain	Busch Light Chevrolet
33	51	Cody Ware	Jacob Construction Chevrolet
34	17	Chris Buescher	Body Guard Ford
35	19	Chase Briscoe	Bass Pro Shops Toyota
36	54	Ty Gibbs	Monster Energy Toyota
37	12	Ryan Blaney	Menards/Peak Ford
38	5	Kyle Larson	HendrickCars.com Chevrolet
39	22	Joey Logano	Shell Pennzoil Ford
40	20	Christopher Bell	DEWALT/Interstate Batteries Toyota
41	2	Austin Cindric	Discount Tire Ford
42	23	Bubba Wallace	Xfinity Toyota
43	6	Brad Keselowski	Castrol Ford
44	48	Alex Bowman	Ally Chevrolet
45	11	Denny Hamlin	National Debt Relief Toyota

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Single-car qualifying will take place at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday (The CW App).

POS	CAR	DRIVER	TEAM
1	0	Garrett Smithley	Knight Fire Protection Chevrolet
2	31	Blaine Perkins	Werner Chevrolet
3	28	Kyle Sieg	Hiami Hooch Chevrolet
4	96	Anthony Alfredo	Dude Wipes Chevrolet
5	45	Lavar Scott #	Urban Affairs Coalition Chevrolet
6	07	Josh Bilicki	Mando Chevrolet
7	92	Josh Williams	Optum Chevrolet
8	55	Joey Gase	Stripes TV Chevrolet
9	53	David Starr	Apex Wireless Chevrolet
10	87	Austin Green	Overplay Chevrolet
11	51	Jeremy Clements	All South Electric/One Stop Chevrolet
12	5	Luke Fenhaus #	Jobber/dun-rite/ICS Ford
13	91	Mason Maggio	Success Unlocked Chevrolet
14	32	Jordan Anderson	easycare Chevrolet
15	42	Carson Hocevar(i)	Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet
16	99	Parker Retzlaff	Funkaway Chevrolet
17	38	Patrick Emerling(i)	Firman Generators Chevrolet
18	24	Harrison Burton	Dead On Tools Toyota
19	25	Nick Sanchez	Better Compute Works Inc.Ford
20	35	Natalie Decker	TN Dickinson's Witch hazel Chevrolet
21	4	Caesar Bacarella	Protein Rice Treats Chevrolet
22	2	Jesse Love	Whelen Chevrolet
23	20	Brandon Jones	Menards/Swiffer Toyota
24	1	Carson Kvapil	Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet
25	88	Rajah Caruth	HendrickCars.com Chevrolet
26	41	Sam Mayer	Audibel Chevrolet
27	54	Taylor Gray	Operation 300 Toyota
28	00	Sheldon Creed	Ollie's Chevrolet
29	52	Daniel Dye(i)	Champion Container Ford
30	26	Dean Thompson	Thompson Pipe Group Toyota
31	27	Jeb Burton	Golden Corral Chevrolet
32	30	Carson Ware	Costa Oil Chevrolet
33	7	Justin Allgaier	Brandt Chevrolet
34	44	Brennan Poole	Roma Chevrolet
35	17	Corey Day	HendrickCars.com Chevrolet
36	18	William Sawalich	Soundgear Toyota
37	39	Ryan Sieg	SciAps/Recycled Materials Assn Chevrolet
38	21	Austin Hill	Bennett Transportation Chevrolet
39	02	Ryan Ellis	Tablo TV Chevrolet
40	48	Patrick Staropoli #	Syfovre Chevrolet
41	19	Gio Ruggiero(i)	First Auto Group Toyota
42	8	Sammy Smith	Pilot Chevrolet

Craftsman Truck Series
Single-truck qualifying will take place at 3 p.m. ET on Friday (FS1).

POS	CAR	DRIVER	TEAM
1	56	Timmy Hill	Coble Enterprises Toyota
2	25	Tony Stewart	Ram Ram
3	5	Nick Leitz	SEM Products Toyota
4	95	Clay Greenfield	Backyard Blues Pools/Lure Chevrolet
5	6	Norm Benning	Insurable Inc. Chevrolet
6	10	Daniel Dye	Mopar Ram
7	35	Greg Van Alst	Top Choice Fence Chevrolet
8	22	Josh Reaume	Aerial Titans Ford
9	52	Stewart Friesen	Halmar International Toyota
10	90	Justin Carroll	Carroll's Automotive Chevrolet
11	91	Christian Eckes	Columbia Bank Chevrolet
12	27	Toni Breidinger	Raising Cane's Chevrolet
13	16	Justin Haley	Celsius Ram
14	76	Spencer Boyd	Freedom Warranty Chevrolet
15	14	Mini Tyrrell #	Ram Ram
16	26	Dawson Sutton	WAR Shocks/Rackley Roofing Chevrolet
17	42	Travis Pastrana	Brunt Workwear Chevrolet
18	28	Bryan Dauzat	O.B. Builders Door & Trim Chevrolet
19	97	Jason Kitzmiller	A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet
20	33	Frankie Muniz	Lucid Trading Ford
21	69	Tyler Tomassi	Tomassi Law LLC/MD Racing Network Ford
22	4	Cleetus McFarland	Black Rifle Coffee Company Chevrolet
23	2	Jason White	More Core Ford
24	75	Corey LaJoie(i)	Built Chevrolet
25	98	Jake Garcia	Quanta Services/Curb Records Ford
26	11	Kaden Honeycutt	Safelite Toyota
27	77	Carson Hocevar(i)	IKEA/Best Buy Chevrolet
28	1	Taylor Gray(i)	Top Liner Toyota
29	17	Gio Ruggiero	JBL Toyota
30	9	Grant Enfinger	Grant County Mulch Chevrolet
31	81	Kris Wright	F.N.B. Corporation Chevrolet
32	19	Daniel Hemric	NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet
33	18	Tyler Ankrum	LiUNA! Chevrolet
34	38	Chandler Smith	TrophyCatch Ford
35	34	Layne Riggs	Love's Travel Stops Ford
36	13	Cole Butcher #	Atlantic Tilt Load Ford
37	7	Michael McDowell(i)	Tibbetts Lumber Chevrolet
38	12	Brenden Queen #	Cummins Ram
39	15	Tanner Gray	Black's Tire Toyota
40	99	Ben Rhodes	TYM Ford
41	45	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(i)	J.F. Electric/Utilitra Chevrolet
42	88	Ty Majeski	Ideal Door/Menards Ford
43	62	John Hunter Nemechek (i)	DriveValue.com Toyota
44	44	Andrés Pérez	Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet

* Required to qualify on time
# denotes series rookie
(i) denotes ineligible for driver points

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by NASCAR Official Release

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR today announced a new, multiyear partnership with Cuervo, the world’s first and No. 1 tequila brand, naming it the Official Tequila of NASCAR, the Official Margarita of NASCAR and an Official Partner of NASCAR beginning in the 2026 season.

The multiyear agreement brings together two iconic brands rooted in heritage, celebration and unforgettable fan experiences. As part of the partnership, Cuervo will activate across NASCAR’s premier events, platforms and venues with immersive on-site fan engagements, branded hospitality experiences and integrated digital and social storytelling throughout the NASCAR season. The “Keep it Cuervo” footprint will feature Jose Cuervo Especial, Cuervo Tradicional and Devil’s Reserve, with craveable margaritas, the newly launched ready-to-drink Jose Cuervo Sparkling Cocktails and more unexpected drink surprises.

NASCAR fans are already embracing Cuervo — they’re 381.2% more likely to have consumed the brand in the past month and 40.5% more likely to drink Cuervo versus the general population. Together, Cuervo and NASCAR will bring unforgettable experiences to a spirits-ready audience that over-indexes on tequila consumption.

“Our fans come to the track to have a great time — to celebrate, connect and create memories around incredible racing — and Cuervo is a natural partner to help us elevate that experience,” said Craig Stimmel, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, NASCAR. “There’s a strong commonality between NASCAR fans and Cuervo consumers, and together we’ll bring that energy to life through premium activations, immersive hospitality and unforgettable moments that make race day even more special.”

Cuervo will hold exclusive category rights for the marketing and promotion of agave-based distilled spirits, including tequila and mezcal, and will be featured prominently across NASCAR events and platforms. The partnership includes premium branding and activation at marquee NASCAR venues, including Daytona International Speedway, Phoenix Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Naval Base Coronado.

Fans can expect custom-branded experiences, including Cuervo bars at select tracks, interactive promotional displays and original digital content across NASCAR’s social channels. Cuervo will also collaborate with NASCAR on responsible drinking initiatives and sustainability efforts aligned with both organizations’ corporate social responsibility goals.

“NASCAR represents one of the most passionate and loyal fanbases in sports. We’re proud to join the community that embodies playful energy, traditions and bold spirits — just like our tequila — bringing Cuervo to some of the biggest moments in motorsports,” said Lander Otegui, EVP of marketing and innovation at Proximo Spirits. “Building on our existing partnership with NASCAR, this new era gives us a powerful platform to help fans celebrate racing culture before the race and at the track, while keeping the celebration going long after the checkered flag is waved.”

Viewers at home can explore and purchase Cuervo’s assortment of fan-approved tequila, Cuervo Sparkling Cocktails and more at Cuervo.com, and follow Cuervo on Instagram at @josecuervotequila for more updates throughout the season. For fans looking to jump into even more race-day action, Cuervo is collaborating with DraftKings and Barstool on race-ready digital experiences, content and prizes, with more details launching soon.

Cuervo joins the NASCAR family just in time for the pageantry and spectacular racing of the “Great American Race” — the Daytona 500 — which will air live on FOX, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by Staff Report

Austin Cindric paced the NASCAR Cup Series field during Wednesday’s opening practice session at Daytona International Speedway.

The 2022 “Great American Race” winner turned a lap of 187.402 mph in his No. 2 Team Penske Ford. It’s the first of three scheduled practice sessions for Sunday’s 68th running of the Daytona 500 (1:30 p.m. ET, FOX, HBO Max, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RELATED: Speedweeks schedule | Practice results

Ross Chastain (186.931), Corey LaJoie (186.517), Bubba Wallace (186.482) and Daniel Suárez (185.590) completed the top five. Alex Bowman (185.483), Erik Jones (185.242), Corey Heim (185.189), reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson (184.885) and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson (184.85) rounded out the top 10.

Two-time defending Daytona 500 winner William Byron was 34th on the board at 182.968 mph. The No. 24 driver is looking to become the first driver in history to win three straight.

For the most part, drivers participated in single-car runs to diagnose any mechanical issues ahead of qualifying Wednesday night (8:15 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

SHOP: Daytona 500 gear

Before qualifying, drivers will participate in Daytona 500 Media Day beginning at 11 a.m. ET. (The NASCAR Channel)

Posted on February 11, 2026February 14, 2026 by NASCAR Official Release

JOHNSTON, Iowa — NASCAR and Powerball are excited to announce an all-new way for race enthusiasts and lottery players to experience NASCAR racing while winning cash prizes! Today, the partners unveiled their latest entertainment collaboration: NASCAR Powerball — The Chase to $1 Million.

The national Powerball promotion gives lottery players the chance to collect cash prizes through a series of drawings during The Chase. The promotion will culminate with four lottery players winning a VIP trip for two to NASCAR Championship Weekend Miami, Nov. 6-8, 2026, where one player will win $1 million in a special drawing televised live on NBC before the start of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Championship race.

“The recent changes to NASCAR’s championship format gave us an incredible opportunity to reimagine this winning experience for our players,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “This is a chance to enjoy an all-new VIP destination for Championship Weekend and collect cash prizes throughout The Chase — just like sports’ top drivers collect points.”

“NASCAR Powerball — The Chase to $1 Million brings the intensity and excitement of our new championship to life in a way only NASCAR can,” said Michelle Byron, Executive Vice President and Chief Partnership & Licensing Officer at NASCAR. “By aligning this promotion with the drama of The Chase and culminating in a live, on-air moment during Championship Weekend, we’re creating a one-of-a-kind experience that connects fans and players directly to the heart of our sport.”

Lottery players can enter the national Powerball promotion through participating lotteries. Lotteries will hold in-state promotions and second-chance drawings throughout the 2026 NASCAR regular season. Entry periods and methods of entry will vary by lottery. At the end of the regular season, all participating lotteries will submit one semi-finalist to take part in NASCAR Powerball — The Chase to $1 Million.

Each lottery semi-finalist will win $2,000 for reaching the start of The Chase. Each time a semi-finalist advances through a drawing, they will collect an additional cash prize. In the third drawing, the four players who advance will win a VIP trip for two to NASCAR Championship Weekend Miami and entry into the $1 million drawing.

The results of each drawing will be revealed during select race broadcasts, beginning with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Round	Semi-Finalists	Prize	Announcement
State Promotions	1 semi-finalist per lottery	$2,000	9/6 at Darlington
Drawing 1	20 advance	$3,000	9/27 at Kansas
Drawing 2	10 advance	$5,000	10/18 at Phoenix
Drawing 3	4 advance	VIP valued at $10,000	11/1 at Martinsville
Drawing 4	Live $1 million drawing	$1 million winner; three $10,000 winners	11/8 at Homestead-Miami

The VIP trip includes roundtrip airfare for two to Miami, three nights hotel accommodations — double occupancy, two Ally Pit Box at Homestead passes for both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Part Series Championship Race on Nov. 7 and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on Nov. 8, two passes for VIP experiences at Homestead-Miami Speedway during NASCAR Championship Weekend including NASCAR Cup Series VIP access, NASCAR team hauler tour, MRN Radio booth tour, pace car rides, Victory Lane access, all meals and ground transportation to scheduled events and activities.

Players should stay tuned to their local lotteries for more information on how to enter. Participating lotteries will announce entry dates throughout the 2026 NASCAR regular season. Players can also follow NASCAR Powerball — The Chase on Facebook and Instagram for entry dates, and visit Powerball.com for more information.

Last year, Kansas Lottery player Francisco Erives, a Staff Sergeant in the Kansas Army National Guard, was declared the $1 million winner in a special drawing broadcast live from Phoenix Raceway before the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially begins this Sunday with live action of the Daytona 500 from Daytona International Speedway. The race will air live at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Brandon White

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — As the newest member of Richard Childress Racing’s driver development program, Carson Brown is doing everything possible to keep himself busy.

Just three days prior to the Clyde Hart Memorial 200, Brown was in a Late Model Stock for Lee Pulliam at Florence Motor Speedway for the Icebreaker. A solid fourth-place finish provided Brown a jolt of confidence prior to his first Super Late Model start of the year at New Smyrna Speedway.

In a field comprised of many seasoned veterans of the discipline, Brown proved he was the best among them Tuesday evening. After making short work of polesitter Tristan McKee early on, Brown pulled away from his competition to secure a dominant victory in one of New Smyrna’s most cherished events.

With Brown set to chase three asphalt championships in 2026, he made sure to cherish every aspect that went into making his Clyde Hart 200 triumph a reality.

“We definitely had a really good race car on our hands [Tuesday],” Brown said. “At the start, we were kind of hanging in third because I didn’t want to pounce too hard. Those guys were battling hard up front, and the restarts were definitely getting physical for track position. I knew I could get [the lead] as long as I waited for the opportunity.

“This track made it a little difficult, but I was able to pass on the top, seal the deal and walk away from there.”

Carson Brown opened the 2026 ASA STARS National Tour season by winning the Clyde Hart Memorial 200 at New Smyrna Speedway. (Photo: Adam Glanzman/NASCAR)

Brown got the head start he was searching for in his sophomore ASA National Tour campaign, but now he has to ascertain how to carry that momentum over into his other two championship pursuits.

Along with a full-time CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour bid, Brown is also joining the ARCA Menards Series East full-time with Pinnacle Racing Group. The cars in those divisions possess their own distinct characteristics that would require any driver to modify his or her race craft to optimize the performance.

Brown has experience in all three disciplines, but he admitted it was initially arduous when it came to balancing consistency across the board. Competing on dirt tracks enabled Brown to become a more versatile competitor, which is why he is approaching 2026 with optimism about contending for all three titles on his docket.

“Diversity is really important to me,” Brown said. “I’ve always run dirt, and this year we aren’t. It’s really hard [to balance everything out], but over the years, I’ve kind of learned how to flip that switch and I feel like I’ve gotten pretty good at managing [each car]. Every time I hit the track, I get better.”

Brown nearly obtained his first Super Late Model title in the ASA National Tour last season. Two poor finishes to open the season were a significant setback for Brown, but he rebounded to finish second in the point standings with three poles, seven top fives and his first victory at Madison International Speedway.

The flashes Brown showed with Anthony Campi’s Super Late Model program last year only motivated him to be even better in 2026. Even with his Late Model Stock and East Series obligations, Brown saw himself as a favorite for the ASA STARS National Tour title with reigning champion Cole Butcher moving up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

While the Clyde Hart Memorial 200 was about as perfect a start as Brown could have imagined, he also understands that it is just the first race of many. The challenge Brown faces is replicating the New Smyrna performance consistently not just in the ASA National Tour, but also the CARS Tour and the East Series, the latter of which he only has one start in to date.

There are still plenty of components Brown needs to work through with Pulliam and PRG in Late Model Stocks and the East Series respectively. Brown does have an established rhythm with Campi’s Super Late Model program extending from last year and believes that cohesion will translate into plenty of success.

“This victory kind of sets the tone for the whole year, or at least I hope it does,” Brown said. “Driving all these different cars, being consistent in all of them and putting a whole night together is really important. You can start the night really well and then have something happen towards the end. Last year [at New Smyrna], we were running second and ran out of fuel.”

Despite the unknowns with tackling three full-time schedules, Brown feels the chemistry he shares with Anthony Campi Racing’s Super Late Model program will lead to success in the ASA STARS National Tour. (Photo: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR)

Following the Clyde Hart Memorial 200, Brown only has a couple weeks to prepare for his first CARS Tour start with Pulliam at Southern National Motorsports Park. One month later, Brown’s quest for an East Series title begins with the season-opener at Hickory Motor Speedway.

There is also a plan for Brown to make select appearances in national NASCAR events this year as part of his development deal with Childress.

For as intimidating and compact as Brown’s schedule is, he is taking everything in stride. Every event in Super Late Models, Late Model Stocks and the East Series is an opportunity for Brown to become more versatile, a quality he knows will be critical to success in the NASCAR Cup Series one day with so many different tracks on the calendar.

Brown would not have taken on such an endeavor without faith in his ability to pull it off. He plans to rest and regroup whenever possible, but Brown’s focus is on acquiring as much experience now while he is still in his formative years.

“We don’t take many breaks,” Brown said. “We kind of take breaks during the offseason, but honestly, I haven’t gotten much of an offseason either. Once I go to bed, I kind of slow down a little bit, but my mind is always going.”

With how long and arduous his schedule is expected to be, Brown was thrilled to obtain a marquee Super Late Model victory so early into its duration. By maintaining the composure and efficiency he showed at New Smyrna, Brown can end 2026 not only with more checkered flags, but three championships to his name.

Posted on February 11, 2026February 13, 2026 by Staff Report

The Daytona 500 is unlike any other race on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit for many reasons, including its rich history and the significant prestige earned by the winner. In addition, the Daytona 500 lineup is set in a unique way. For more information on the intricacies of how the lineup is set, click here.

To keep track of how the lineup is coming together, bookmark this page and come back for updates after Wednesday’s single-car qualifying (8:15 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) and Thursday’s Duel races (7 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

RELATED: Daytona Speedweeks schedule

Note: The No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet of Anthony Alfredo originally qualified for the Daytona 500 in Duel 2, but his position in the race was disallowed due to a failure in post-Duel inspection.

Daytona 500 lineup

START	DRIVER	CAR
1	Kyle Busch	No. 8 Chevrolet
2	Chase Briscoe	No. 19 Toyota
3	Joey Logano	No. 22 Ford
4	Chase Elliott	No. 9 Chevrolet
5	Ryan Blaney	No. 12 Ford
6	Carson Hocevar	No. 77 Chevrolet
7	Austin Dillon	No. 3 Chevrolet
8	Kyle Larson	No. 5 Chevrolet
9	Brad Keselowski	No. 6 Ford
10	Michael McDowell	No. 71 Chevrolet
11	John Hunter Nemechek	No. 42 Toyota
12	Christopher Bell	No. 20 Toyota
13	Shane van Gisbergen	No. 97 Chevrolet
14	Josh Berry	No. 21 Ford
15	Daniel Suárez	No. 7 Chevrolet
16	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	No. 47 Chevrolet
17	Casey Mears*	No. 66 Ford
18	Todd Gilliland	No. 34 Ford
19	Ryan Preece	No. 60 Ford
20	Ty Gibbs	No. 54 Toyota
21	Alex Bowman	No. 48 Chevrolet
22	Denny Hamlin	No. 11 Toyota
23	Cole Custer	No. 41 Chevrolet
24	Erik Jones	No. 43 Toyota
25	Noah Gragson	No. 4 Ford
26	Tyler Reddick	No. 45 Toyota
27	Bubba Wallace	No. 23 Toyota
28	Riley Herbst	No. 35 Toyota
29	Corey Heim*	No. 67 Toyota
30	Zane Smith	No. 38 Ford
31	Jimmie Johnson#	No. 84 Toyota
32	Connor Zilisch	No. 88 Chevrolet
33	Cody Ware	No. 51 Chevrolet
34	Ty Dillon	No. 10 Chevrolet
35	AJ Allmendinger	No. 16 Chevrolet
36	Austin Cindric	No. 2 Ford
37	Ross Chastain	No. 1 Chevrolet
38	BJ McLeod	No. 78 Chevrolet
39	William Byron	No. 24 Chevrolet
40	Justin Allgaier	No. 40 Chevrolet
41	Chris Buescher	No. 17 Ford

Did not qualify: Corey LaJoie (No. 99 Ford), Anthony Alfredo (No. 62 Chevrolet), Chandler Smith (No. 36 Ford), JJ Yeley (No. 44 Chevrolet).

Official Duel 1 Results

FINISH	START	DRIVER	CAR
1	6	Joey Logano	No. 22 Ford
2	11	Ryan Blaney	No. 12 Ford
3	7	Austin Dillon	No. 3 Chevrolet
4	10	Brad Keselowski	No. 6 Ford
5	9	John Hunter Nemechek	No. 42 Toyota
6	19	Shane van Gisbergen	No. 97 Chevrolet
7	20	Daniel Suárez	No. 7 Chevrolet
8	22	Casey Mears*	No. 66 Ford
9	2	Ryan Preece	No. 60 Ford
10	4	Alex Bowman	No. 48 Chevrolet
11	13	Cole Custer	No. 41 Chevrolet
12	23	Noah Gragson	No. 4 Ford
13	16	Bubba Wallace	No. 23 Toyota
14	3	Corey Heim*	No. 67 Toyota
15	15	Jimmie Johnson#	No. 84 Toyota
16	21	Chandler Smith*	No. 36 Ford
17	14	Cody Ware	No. 51 Chevrolet
18	1	Kyle Busch	No. 8 Chevrolet
19	8	Corey LaJoie*	No. 99 Ford
20	17	AJ Allmendinger	No. 16 Chevrolet
21	18	Ross Chastain	No. 1 Chevrolet
22	12	William Byron	No. 24 Chevrolet
23	5	Chris Buescher	No. 17 Ford

Official Duel 2 Results

FINISH	START	DRIVER	CAR
1	4	Chase Elliott	No. 9 Chevrolet
2	14	Carson Hocevar	No. 77 Chevrolet
3	3	Kyle Larson	No. 5 Chevrolet
4	10	Michael McDowell	No. 71 Chevrolet
5	6	Christopher Bell	No. 20 Toyota
6	13	Josh Berry	No. 21 Ford
7	19	Ricky Stenhouse Jr.	No. 47 Chevrolet
8	16	Todd Gilliland	No. 34 Ford
9	5	Ty Gibbs	No. 54 Toyota
10	2	Denny Hamlin	No. 11 Toyota
11	12	Erik Jones	No. 43 Toyota
12	20	Tyler Reddick	No. 45 Toyota
13	15	Riley Herbst	No. 35 Toyota
14	9	Zane Smith	No. 38 Ford
15	11	Connor Zilisch	No. 88 Chevrolet
16	18	Ty Dillon	No. 10 Chevrolet
17	8	Austin Cindric	No. 2 Ford
18	21	BJ McLeod*	No. 78 Chevrolet
19	1	Chase Briscoe	No. 19 Toyota
20	7	Justin Allgaier*	No. 40 Chevrolet
21	22	J.J. Yeley*	No. 44 Chevrolet
22	17	Anthony Alfredo*	No. 62 Chevrolet

* Denotes Open car
# Denotes car eligible for Open exception provisional

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Dustin Albino

Jesse Love, oozing machismo, felt like a lone wolf last fall at Phoenix Raceway, battling the three-headed juggernaut that was JR Motorsports. With California swagger, though, he outlasted the competition to win his first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship.

Love’s championship reign begins this Saturday at Daytona International Speedway (5 p.m. ET, The CW, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), where he also enters as the defending race winner. He bookended the 2025 campaign with victories, stamping his name into the record book with some of NASCAR’s greatest drivers.

RELATED: Jesse Love driver page

“If you show up and are the right kind of champion, you still ride the wave, and the confidence is there because you can use the championship for the confidence boost that it is,” Love told NASCAR.com. “At the same time, it’s still business as usual when you get back into the swing of things. And if it’s not, it’s probably a negative thing because people can get complacent pretty easily.”

In the months following Phoenix, Love has realized that his expectations are sky-high and he won’t be satisfied until he reaches the pinnacle for the second time. As the series enters a new season, he is still riding the confidence wave but trying not to live in the glory of the championship.

The 2025 season was far from perfect for the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing camp. Love was “ridiculously consistent” throughout the year, but ended the season with nine top-five finishes, two more than his 2024 rookie campaign. His numbers were slightly better in top 10s (22 in 2025; 18 in 2024) and average finishing position (11.1 in 2025; 12.0 in 2024).

Even still, the No. 2 team, which looks identical to last year’s, aims to be better in 2026, including in qualifying, which it believes is its weakest area.

Danny Stockman, crew chief for Love, thinks improvement can come from all aspects.

“I stressed to my team this winter that it’s going to take more effort than last year did because we weren’t good enough last year at a lot of race tracks,” Stockman said. “We were good enough at the final one, and we executed, and we put ourselves in position to get to that point. There were a lot of areas that we needed to get better and that’s what we’ve been focusing on this winter.

“We have to step it up a notch, and I think this team is more than capable of that.”

Meg Oliphant | Getty Images

Love and Stockman both believe that The Chase — the postseason format taking effect in 2026 — will not affect how the No. 2 team operates. The pairing emphasizes consistency, which Stockman has experienced with multiple drivers at this level with RCR.

“If you look at my stats over the years, when we won those championships with Austin [Dillon], it was consistency,” Stockman said, alluding to a season-long points battle in 2011 and 2013. “Jesse and Austin’s racing style of how they take care of their equipment and run all the laps and don’t cause problems, that is going to play big in this new format.”

The change is a positive one for Love, though he’s remaining steady in his approach.

“If you’re not going to perform in the first 24 races, you’re probably not going to go on a run the last nine races,” Love said. “As far as how it affects the drivers and teams, I don’t think it changes anything.”

Scouting the competition, Love believes 2024 series champion Justin Allgaier will be a viable threat again for the title in 2026. He also anticipates sophomore driver Taylor Gray and rookie Brent Crews from Joe Gibbs Racing will be tough to beat. Stockman added Sam Mayer to the list of stout competition.

“I don’t see a standout like we saw with Connor last year,” Stockman said. “I feel like it’s going to be a competitive season and a lot of winners.”

The end goal for Love is for 2026 to be his final year in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He sprinkled in a handful of Cup Series starts with RCR and Beard Motorsports in 2025, earning a best finish of 24th (Indianapolis) with the No. 62 team. To jump to the Cup level, he knows he needs to win — often. Consider it motivation for the 21-year-old driver.

“I think that I’ve proven that I’m a champion, and that’s an important piece,” Love said. “I think I’m pretty complete as a driver. I haven’t said this a whole lot yet, but if I’m not in a Cup car next year, then I don’t know what I will do, but sprint-car racing and stuff like that sounds very appetizing. I don’t plan on running a fourth year in an [O’Reilly] car; I don’t plan on doing anything else in 2027 but getting into a Cup car full-time. I plan on this year becoming as perfect as I can in every aspect of racing to put myself in position to be able to achieve that.”

MORE: Daytona Speedweeks schedule | O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule

Wholeheartedly, Love believes that had there been an opening to jump to Cup in 2026, he would have been able to hold his own and punch above his weight class. However, he isn’t certain that he would be able to operate “at a crazy high level” and win in his first couple of years behind the wheel.

“There’s probably no option but going into a Cup car if you win a bunch of races,” Love said. “What I plan on doing this year is winning another championship and winning a lot of races and that will force me to a Cup car. I’m also aware that next year, a driver could do everything right and not achieve those goals and that could keep them out of a car even if they are capable of doing it.

“I feel very confident with the people we have around RCR and where we’re starting off this year, to be able to win a lot of races and secure my future. To answer your question bluntly, I feel if I do everything right next year, I don’t even know if I want to say it out loud. But I do love sprint-car racing a lot, I do love midget-racing a lot and dirt-racing in general and I don’t plan on racing a fourth year in an [O’Reilly] car by any means next year.”