The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is only days away from its crown-jewel season opener, as 41 drivers will fight for eternal glory on Sunday in the Daytona 500.
The style of racing at Daytona has constantly changed over the years, and in recent Daytona 500s some fans have bemoaned the lack of action as many drivers opt for a conservative, fuel-saving strategy. After Thursday’s Duels, however, three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano predicts we could see a “wreckfest” in the Great American Race.
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Logano won the first Duel race on Thursday, meaning he’ll start the Daytona 500 from the third position, behind only Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe – but almost half the field in Logano’s race win ended the night with damage to their cars, as two major crashes impacted a long list of drivers.
In his press conference afterward, asked for a prayer because he believes Sunday’s race will be “crazy.”
“I think the whole field has probably learned that pushing each other is pretty sketchy…. The Daytona 500 could be a total wreckfest. If you think about the Duels, it’s a heat race and everyone’s like ‘well don’t tear up your car, you know, get what you can out of it but don’t crash.’ And we wrecked a lot of stuff, and that’s everyone not racing for the Daytona 500. So, say a prayer, it’s going to be crazy.”
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Logano had his own close call with teammate Ryan Blaney early in their race, as he pushed Blaney’s car in a corner and forced Blaney to make a save. Other drivers weren’t so fortunate. Corey LaJoie was in a position to make the Daytona 500 field on the last lap of his duel, but a push to the back of his car caused him to lose control, sparking a major wreck. Casey Mears was able to navigate the chaos and earn the transfer spot.
Sunday’s Daytona 500 will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Joey Logano predicts Daytona 500 could be a ‘total wreckfest’
