KYLE BUSCH, No. 18 M&M's Crispy Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - Do you feel the weight of attempting to win a Sprint Cup championship each season? "Not necessarily at the beginning of the year, but when it comes down towards the end of the year or you fall out of contention of being able to win a championship you just then know or realize or feel that a whole year or a whole 365 days is essentially wasted."
MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - What is the key to tire management? "I think it depends a lot on the tire and the track surface."
RYAN BLANEY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion – “Just to be racing in Sprint Cup means a lot to me and my family and to be able to get to know the Wood Brothers and everyone is really special to me. We are really fortunate to be where we are at and really excited to be down here and attempting to make the 500. We are looking forward to practice here in a couple days and see where we qualify and go to racing.”
BRIAN VICKERS, No. 55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota Camry, Michael Waltrip Racing - How are you feeling after surgery in December? "I'm feeling good considering everything. It's amazing with everything that's happened and how fast the recovery has been and how well I feel now relative to how I felt a month ago or two months ago much less."
RICKY STENHOUSE JR., No. 17 Fastenal Ford Fusion – HOW MANY GUYS ARE CAPABLE OF WINNING THIS RACE? “I think 43 are capable and I think that is what a lot of the fans enjoy about Daytona or Talladega for that matter. I think you see it throughout years past, different winners getting to victory lane that normally wouldn’t. Just being able to do that – we haven’t gotten a win in the Sprint Cup Series so you could put us on that list that could get your first win at a speedway. Yeah, it is just the style of racing that anybody can win and it is frustrating for some of the guys that win all the time and have really fast cars but it is just a product of this racing.”
Cole Whitt, driver of the No. 35 Speed Stick Ford Fusion, will be entering his first season with Front Row Motorsports. Following is a transcript of his media day session at Daytona International Speedway.
CARL EDWARDS, No. 19 ARRIS Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing - How important is change to a driver? "I believe that change in itself is good because it puts a lot of pressure on you. I feel that right now and I'm actually nervous and I think that's good. That's a motivator and for me it's an opportunity right now. I'm way outside of my comfort zone and that's good. Hopefully it yields good results."
Drivers Busch, Harry Gant and the late Ray Hendrick, all of whom emerged from relative obscurity to reach the pinnacle of their profession, entered the Hall as the Class of 2026 during Friday night’s induction ceremonies at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Defending Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin Champion Jeremy Fletcher recovered from a heartbreaking Race 1 DNF at Daytona International Speedway with a win in Race 2 on Friday.
Open Wheel Showdown features Winged Sprint Cars, Open Wheel Modifieds, Super Modifieds, Legends, and Bandoleros competing November 5-7, 2026, at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Speedway Children’s Charities, Dover Motor Speedway chapter will offer three opportunities in 2026 for Monster Mile fans to drive their personal vehicles on the World’s Fastest One-Mile Oval.
zone™ premium nicotine pouches will continue its relationship with Richard Childress Racing as the anchor partner for Kyle Busch and the No. 8 zone Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026.
