Chase Elliott Wins Clash at Daytona Exhibition Race in Dramatic Photo Finish

Chase Elliott captured the 2026 Busch Light Clash at Daytona in thrilling fashion on Tuesday night, edging Joey Logano by a mere 0.003 seconds in one of the closest finishes in NASCAR exhibition race history at Daytona International Speedway, providing an electrifying preview of what promises to be an exciting 2026 Cup Series season.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver executed a perfectly timed move in the final turn, pulling alongside Logano's Ford Mustang with 100 yards to go before the two cars crossed the finish line in a photo finish that required several minutes of review by NASCAR officials. Elliott's Chevrolet Camaro was declared the winner by less than half a car length, sending the capacity crowd of 101,000 into a frenzy.

"That was as close as they come," Elliott said during his victory celebration. "Joey raced me clean all night, and it came down to whoever could get that last little bit out of their car. These exhibition races are so much fun because there's no points pressure, just pure racing. It's a great way to kick off the season and get everyone excited for what's coming."

The 150-mile exhibition featured intense pack racing throughout, with 20 different drivers leading at various points and multiple three-wide battles that showcased NASCAR's continued emphasis on competitive racing. Elliott's path to victory included surviving two multi-car incidents and strategic fuel conservation that left him in position to challenge for the win in the final laps.

Logano appeared destined for victory after leading for 25 consecutive laps entering the final 10-lap sprint, but Elliott's patience and tactical positioning paid dividends when he found an inside line with two laps remaining. The Team Penske driver graciously accepted the narrow defeat, praising Elliott's racecraft and expressing optimism about Ford's competitiveness heading into the Daytona 500.

The thrilling finish provided an ideal start to NASCAR's 2026 campaign, demonstrating the sport's continued evolution toward closer competition and more unpredictable outcomes. Elliott's victory, combined with strong showings from multiple manufacturers and both veteran and young drivers, suggests this could be one of the most competitive seasons in NASCAR history. With the Daytona 500 scheduled for next weekend, Tuesday's exhibition has set high expectations for what promises to be an unforgettable season opener.