Joey Logano captured the first qualifying race for the 2026 Daytona 500 on Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway, clinching the win after an overtime caution. The event was marked by a late crash that eliminated Corey LaJoie from contention and allowed Casey Mears to secure a spot in NASCAR’s marquee season opener. The dramatic finish unfolded in Daytona Beach, Florida, as Logano and his Ford team from Penske took control of the race heading into the closing laps.
Late Crash Triggers Overtime and Shifts Lineup
A five-car accident with just four laps remaining brought out the caution, setting up an overtime restart. The incident was sparked when Austin Dillon received a strong push from Chris Buescher, causing him to spin Bubba Wallace. This collision extended the race beyond its scheduled length and changed the stakes for drivers battling for the final transfer spot into the 41-car Daytona 500 field.
Final Lap Drama Decides Transfer Spot
Joey Logano led the restart for the two-lap sprint to the finish, while Corey LaJoie held the crucial position to claim the last open slot in the Daytona 500 lineup. However, LaJoie was spun on the final lap, with Casey Mears narrowly avoiding contact and advancing ahead. Mears edged out both LaJoie and Chandler Smith to earn his place in the iconic race, despite recovering from an earlier pit road setback during the night’s competition.
Casey Mears Delivers a Surprise Daytona 500 Entry
Mears, driving for Garage 66 — a small team owned by former driver Carl Long — celebrated the unexpected qualification with his crew of just 10 employees. Mears is a seasoned competitor aiming to reach 500 career Cup Series starts and acknowledged the uncertainty of the night before officials confirmed his transfer.
“I just know that we made it, the car is damaged, but we got it in,”
Casey Mears said.
“I can’t believe we are here based on our night and the way that it went. I didn’t know who was in and whether or not we made it and then the guys started going nuts on the radio.”
Mears received support from former team owner Bob Germain to compete at Daytona and is preparing to make his 495th career start in the Cup Series Sunday. He hopes to focus on superspeedways and road courses for the remaining races to reach his milestone this season.
“Everything was completely stacked against us,”
Mears added.
“I can’t believe we’re here. It feels good to be here.”
Logano Reflects on Performance and Looking Ahead
Joey Logano celebrated his win as his fourth qualifier victory at Daytona and his first since capturing the prestigious Daytona 500 in 2015. He highlighted the speed and strength of his Team Penske Ford but emphasized the need for continued adjustments to improve handling.
“I do think we have a strong race car, obviously a fast race car, we proved that,”
Logano said.
“There’s definitely some things I want to work on, no doubt. It’s always like that. We have to have speed. We’ll work on some handling pieces, but I feel like we’re pretty close.”
Penske Teammates Fill Top Positions
Joining Logano on the top finishers’ list were his Penske teammates, with Ryan Blaney securing second place and Austin Dillon finishing third. Their strong performances underscored Team Penske’s competitiveness heading into NASCAR’s biggest race.
Significance of Qualifier Results for Daytona 500
This qualifying race set the starting lineup dynamics for the Daytona 500, intensifying the battle for coveted spots on the grid. Logano’s win enhances his confidence as a former champion, while Mears’ narrow advancement highlights the challenges faced by smaller teams competing against NASCAR’s powerhouses. With the season opener imminent, the energy and tension from these dramatic qualifiers set the stage for an intense race weekend at Daytona International Speedway.
