The Daytona 500 is just around the corner, and the excitement is building! But here's a twist in the tale: Austin Dillon's Chevrolet takes the lead in practice, leaving competitors in the dust.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series practice session saw Dillon's No. 3 Richard Childress Racing car reach an impressive top speed of 195.627 mph, setting the tone for the upcoming race. This practice session, held at the iconic 2.5-mile track, revealed a surprising dominance by Chevrolet, a brand that has been a staple in NASCAR for decades.
In a stunning display of speed, Chevrolets swept the top 10 positions, with Alex Bowman, Justin Allgaier, Chase Elliott, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. closely trailing Dillon. The top 10 was completed by Shane van Gisbergen, William Byron, Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, and Connor Zilisch, all showcasing the raw power of their Chevys. But this is where it gets interesting... Are we witnessing a Chevrolet renaissance, or is this just a fluke?
Other manufacturers weren't far behind, with Ford securing the 11th position with Josh Berry's impressive lap. Toyota, however, had a more challenging practice, with Christopher Bell leading the brand in 21st place.
With one more practice session to go before the prestigious Daytona 500, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown. Will Chevrolet maintain its dominance, or will other manufacturers rise to the challenge? Stay tuned as this story unfolds, and feel free to share your predictions in the comments. The world of NASCAR is full of surprises, and this practice session might just be the tip of the iceberg!
