The Butler Collegian · Feb 18
OT: NASCAR debuts new and improved playoff format
Tyler Reddick (no. 45) won his first Daytona 500. Photo from Daytona Beach News-Journal.ROCCO SANTORO | STAFF REPORTER | rsantoro@butler.edu
Overtime, or “OT,” is an opinion column series where the Collegian takes national sports headlines or polarizing topics and gives them a Butler-centric angle.
The Daytona 500 kicked off the 2026 NASCAR season with Tyler Reddick taking home the Harley J. Earl Trophy and going into the history books forever. The final lap featured two wrecks, which allowed Reddick to win the race after only leading for the last lap. The race set a new record with 26 different drivers leading at least one lap.