As anticipation builds for the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026, Kyle Busch Daytona 500 pursuit continues to captivate the world of NASCAR. Despite monumental achievements by champions like Busch, several drivers still search for the elusive Harley J. Earl Trophy at Daytona International Speedway, a race renowned for its unpredictability and prestige.
With 36 full-time entries, notable guest drivers like Jimmie Johnson and Justin Allgaier, and the competitive Beard Motorsports team, the 2026 Daytona 500 field will include 39 drivers. Of these, 30 still lack a victory in the Great American Race. The event is a supreme test of skill and patience, where one miscalculation amid the draft can upend careers and leave legends without NASCAR’s ultimate prize.
Major Drivers Chasing Their First Daytona 500 Victory
For all their accomplishments—including championships and wins at NASCAR’s other iconic races—several elite drivers have yet to secure their place in Daytona 500 history. Their continued pursuit adds intensity and drama each year to the season’s opening spectacle.
Ryan Blaney: Consistent at Daytona, Frustrated in February
Ryan Blaney, driving the No. 12 car for Team Penske, recently celebrated a victory at Daytona, claiming the Coke Zero Sugar 400. Yet, the Daytona 500 remains elusive for the talented superspeedway racer. Throughout 11 Daytona 500 starts, Blaney’s hopes have often unraveled due to accidents or late-race cautions that have upended promising performances.
Despite these challenges, Blaney has demonstrated his capabilities at the track, earning six top-10 finishes and notably coming close with two runner-up results. In 2018, he led 118 laps and asserted control over much of the race, only for his challenge to slip away in the frenetic closing minutes. As the 2026 event nears, Blaney remains among the top drivers eyeing a breakthrough win.
Chase Elliott: Living in the Shadow of Daytona Triumph
As part of Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 9 car, Chase Elliott arrived in the NASCAR Cup Series with immediate speed at Daytona, repeatedly taking pole positions. However, a Daytona 500 win has always managed to escape him, despite standout performances, most notably a second-place finish in 2021—one of his two top-10s in ten starts at the event.
Elliott’s experiences at Daytona have been marked by alternating stretches of promise and disappointment, often finding himself stuck in traffic or swept up in multi-car incidents. Carrying a Cup championship and numerous marquee race victories, Elliott bears the additional weight of legacy—his father is a former Daytona 500 winner. The absence of this crown jewel on his record only intensifies the narrative around his career.
Kyle Larson: Versatile But Still Seeking Daytona Success
Kyle Larson, known for his remarkable adaptability across all types of tracks and a Cup championship with Hendrick Motorsports, has yet to solve the Daytona 500 puzzle. Despite being counted among NASCAR’s most gifted drivers, Larson’s luck at the Daytona International Speedway has remained elusive.
His best opportunity nearly materialized in 2017 when he led in the waning laps but ran short on fuel, costing him the victory. Over 12 attempts, Larson has collected four top-10 finishes, posting an average finish position of 18.17. Heading into another Daytona challenge, observers continue to question whether pure driving talent is enough to conquer the chaos of NASCAR’s biggest stage.
Brad Keselowski: Strong Superspeedway Record, Daytona Woes
Brad Keselowski, the 2012 champion who races for RFK Racing in the No. 6 car, has long marked himself as a superb superspeedway driver with nine career victories on such tracks, including a triumph at the 2016 Coke Zero event. Still, the Daytona 500 has developed a pattern of cruel disappointments for the experienced owner-driver.
Across sixteen career Daytona 500 starts, Keselowski’s record includes two top-5s and one top-10, with an average finish of 23.47. Especially since taking on co-ownership at RFK, his runs have become more competitively consistent, frequently mixing at the front as the race winds down. Nevertheless, recurring misfortune has blocked his path to the checkered flag when it matters most.
Kyle Busch: The Championship Pedigree Missing Only Daytona
Kyle Busch, piloting the No. 8 for Richard Childress Racing, stands as one of NASCAR’s most accomplished drivers, with two top-series championships and victories in all of the sport’s crown-jewel events—except for the Daytona 500. Over a career spanning two decades, the Daytona 500 has repeatedly slipped through his grasp due to untimely cautions, crashes, or dramatic overtime scenarios.
Busch’s storied career includes three top-5 and two top-10 finishes at the 500, highlighted by a close second-place run in 2019. As he approaches his twentieth attempt, many draw parallels to Dale Earnhardt, who finally claimed his Daytona 500 win after two decades of perseverance. In 2026, fans and fellow competitors will watch closely to see if Busch can finally claim this missing piece of his legacy.
The Ongoing Impact of the Daytona 500 Drought
The pursuit of a Daytona 500 victory defines careers and legacies within the NASCAR Cup Series. For champions such as Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, and especially Kyle Busch, the quest for this hallmark win continues to add weight and drama to each February’s event. Their strong resumes across other crown-jewel races ensure that the anticipation and competitive pressure never fade, keeping viewers invested in every unpredictable lap at Daytona International Speedway.
As the next Daytona 500 approaches, attention will remain on these perennial contenders. Whether 2026 brings celebration or another year of what-if moments, the narrative surrounding these drivers’ relentless Daytona 500 pursuit will not lose its hold on the hearts of NASCAR fans.
