We fired up the engines early today to start the 2025 season, and 10 laps in — true DAYTONA 500 fashion — we’re under a rain delay. Since I began watching NASCAR full-time back in 2003, and can count exactly zero times on one hand that I recall a 500 not being affected by rain. In any event, we should be headed back green soon. If you’ve missed the start of the race, you haven’t missed anything!
Here’s what to look for:
–Chase Briscoe starts a new chapter in his career in the #19 Toyota, and makes a splash in his new ride. It is the first even Pole for Toyota for the DAYTONA 500, and he’ll start there alongside Austin Cindric who won this race as a rookie, and backed up his Qualifying time by winning his Duel on Thursday.
-The two drivers were fastest on time, but Bubba Wallace looked mighty stout on Thursday night for the Duels. He won his race after leading 21 of 60 laps, and started this race 3rd. He also has the most point of any driver over the last ten races, and has been runner-up a few times; can he get it done tonight?
–William Byron was the winner of this race last year after a wild final laps which saw cars spinning all over the place. He was a few feet ahead of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Alex Bowman, and it was enough.
–Chase Elliott won the Clash at Bowman Gray earlier this month, and he’s looking to do something his dad did many years ago: win the Clash and then win the DAYTONA 500. He had pretty good betting odds for this thing, if that’s your deal; look for the #9 to be near the front often.
–Helio Castroneves is the first driver in 2025 to take advantage of a new 41st position available to a “World Class Driver outside of NASCAR.” He did not Qualify for the race on time OR race his way in, but he’s got enough credentials to start this race shotgun on the field. He didn’t get much in on Thursday, but did run the ARCA race this weekend. Can Castroneves — world renowned open wheel driver — bring his stock car to the front?
Live NASCAR coverage has returned to FOX (check your local listings), they’re on right now and going back Green soon!.
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