DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Engines weren’t the only things rumbling through Volusia County Tuesday afternoon.
The 2026 NASCAR Hauler Parade — the unofficial, beloved kickoff to Speedweeks — brought fans lining the streets as the brightly polished team haulers made their ceremonial roll into town, signaling that the countdown to the Daytona 500 is officially on.
This year’s showcase, held at ONE DAYTONA from 4–6 p.m., once again delivered the spectacle fans crave: towering rigs wrapped in team colors, drivers’ faces emblazoned on the sides, and crowds cheering as each hauler eased into Victory Circle. The event, presented by Mobil Delvac, remains free and open to the public — a fan-friendly tradition that sets the tone for the most anticipated week in stockcar racing.
As the sun dipped behind the Speedway, the energy felt unmistakably like the calm before the storm. With the Daytona 500 set for Sunday, Feb. 15, the field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. William Byron returns as the defending champion, while Kyle Larson arrives looking to defend his season title. Oddsmakers have Joey Logano and Ryan Blaneypegged as early co-favorites, with a deep bench of contenders — from Austin Cindric to Chase Elliott— ready to make their move.
For fans, Tuesday’s parade was a chance to get close — really close — to the teams before the chaos of race weekend begins. For the crews, it was the final quiet moment before the grind. And for Daytona Beach, it was the ceremonial ignition of a week that brings the roar of engines, the smell of rubber, and the thrill of possibility.