Practice 1 Breakdown: Cindric Leads, Surprises Emerge As Speedweeks Go All-In

Speedweeks has officially roared to life at the World Center of Racing. The moment the garage doors rolled open, and the first engines cracked the morning air, Daytona International Speedway shifted from winter silence to full‑throttle anticipation.

There’s a unique electricity that settles over this place when NASCAR returns a blend of nerves, adrenaline, and the unmistakable sense that the long offseason has finally ended. Practice 1 for the 2026 Daytona 500 didn’t decide anything, but it delivered our first meaningful look at who unloaded with confidence and who has a long week ahead.

At the top of the charts was a driver who knows this place better than most. Team Penske’s Austin Cindric, a former Daytona 500 champion, wasted no time reminding the field why he’s one of the most polished superspeedway racers in the sport. His lap of 48.025 seconds wasn’t just fast. It was a tone‑setter.

Cindric has always had a natural feel for the draft, understanding how to manipulate the air and position his Ford in the most efficient pockets of momentum. Seeing the No. 2 car atop the pylon this early in Speedweeks sends a clear message: Ford didn’t come to Daytona to warm up. They came ready to dictate the pace.

Inside the Pack: Surprises and Standouts

While Cindric’s lap grabbed the headline, the deeper story of Practice 1 came from the pack behind him. Ross Chastain clocked in second with a 48.146, continuing his evolution into one of the most aggressive and effective superspeedway operators in the modern era.

Trackhouse Racing appears to have unloaded with real speed, and Chastain’s early pace reinforces that their offseason work translated directly to the racetrack. But the biggest surprise came from Corey LaJoie. Entering Speedweeks as an Open driver brings a level of pressure most fans never see.

Every lap is a referendum on your Daytona 500 hopes. LaJoie responded by putting his entry third overall with a 48.253, exactly the kind of statement a run an Open team dreams of on Day 1. When you’re fighting for your spot in the biggest race of the year, speed off the truck is more than encouraging.

It’s essential. Bubba Wallace and Daniel Suarez rounded out the top five, both continuing to build reputations as disciplined, savvy superspeedway racers. Wallace, in particular, has become one of the most reliable plate performers in the garage. His early speed suggests the No. 23 team arrived with a clear plan and a car capable of executing it.

The Open Car Battle Heats Up

The drama at Daytona doesn’t just unfold at the front. It thrives in the bubble. With eight Open entries chasing only four available Daytona 500 spots, every lap of Practice 1 carried weight. NASCAR’s updated qualifying format adds even more tension.

The top two Open cars in single‑car qualifying will lock themselves into the 500 on Wednesday night, bypassing the Duel pressure cooker entirely. The remaining Open teams will have to race their way in during Thursday’s twin qualifiers.

Jimmie Johnson, utilizing the “elite driver” provisional, is already guaranteed a spot, but for drivers like Casey Mears, Anthony Alfredo, and the surprisingly fast Corey LaJoie, today’s session was a critical data‑gathering mission. Daytona qualifying is often decided by thousandths, and Practice 1 was their first chance to chase them.

Full Practice 1 Results

(Times Are Listed In Order Of Finish)

Austin Cindric — 48.025
Ross Chastain — 48.146
Corey LaJoie — 48.253
Bubba Wallace — 48.262
Daniel Suarez — 48.494
Alex Bowman — 48.522
Erik Jones — 48.585
Corey Heim — 48.599
Kyle Larson — 48.679
Jimmie Johnson — 48.688
John Hunter Nemechek — 48.737
Kyle Busch — 48.775
Chase Briscoe — 48.815
Austin Dillon — 48.870
Riley Herbst — 48.877
Ty Dillon — 48.890
Connor Zilisch — 48.937
Chris Buescher — 48.954
Justin Allgaier — 48.990
Chase Elliott — 48.994
Josh Berry — 48.996
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. — 48.998
Denny Hamlin — 49.005
Ryan Preece — 49.007
Cole Custer — 49.035
Anthony Alfredo — 49.041
Tyler Reddick — 49.043
Brad Keselowski — 49.066
Carson Hocevar — 49.080
Christopher Bell — 49.084
Ryan Blaney — 49.095
Joey Logano — 49.102
Cody Ware — 49.113
William Byron — 49.189
Chandler Smith — 49.202
Ty Gibbs — 49.237
AJ Allmendinger — 49.244
Shane van Gisbergen — 49.321
Noah Gragson — 49.395
Zane Smith — 49.499
BJ McLeod — 49.656
Casey Mears — 49.810
JJ Yeley — 50.126

What This Means for the Rest of Speedweeks

It’s tempting to overreact to the first practice session of the year, especially at Daytona, where drafting packs can artificially inflate lap times. A driver who hooks onto the right line at the right moment can rocket to the top of the board, while someone working on single‑car balance may look lost on paper.

But there are meaningful takeaways. The Fords, particularly Penske, were unloaded with authority. Cindric’s speed wasn’t a fluke. It was a baseline. Trackhouse looks sharp. 23XI looks motivated. And the Open teams proved they’re not here to simply fill out the entry list; they’re here to fight for their place in the 500.

Behind the scenes, engineers are already combing through the data, adjusting shocks, springs, and cooling packages in preparation for single‑car qualifying. Drafting speed helps today, but on Wednesday night, every driver will be alone against the wind. That’s where the real separation begins.

What’s Next

Practice 1 is officially in the books, and with it, Speedweeks has snapped into focus. Austin Cindric drew first blood, but the story of the day was broader veterans shaking off the rust, young guns like Connor Zilisch getting their first taste of Cup‑level Daytona intensity, and Open teams proving they belong in the conversation.

The pressure now shifts to the garages and engineering rooms. The clock is ticking. The grandstands are filling. And the 2026 Daytona 500 is no longer a distant date on the calendar. It’s here, unfolding one session at a time.