1 month, 1 week ago

NASCAR’s new ‘world-class driver’ rule makes Daytona 500 qualifying more complicated than ever

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona 500 has NASCAR’s most unusual — and complicated — qualifying format. Although Castroneves is driving for an open team, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is locked into the field through a new rule that allows NASCAR to invite a “world-class driver” to each event. So he will try to qualify his way in, and if he does, the Daytona 500 would be a 40-car field — and five open cars would miss the race. JRM is owned by two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose entry is being Helio Castroneves Castroneves will make his NASCAR debut in the No. Jimmie Johnson The seven-time Cup champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, now the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club, is entering two races this year.

Racing Driver Race Team Johnson Smith Cup Nascar 500 Mcleod Truex Daytona Castroneves Daytona 500 worldclass cup daytona race qualifying team 500 rule racing makes nascars motorsports spots driver complicated starts

History of this topic

1 month, 1 week ago

William Byron avoids late wrecks to win 2nd straight Daytona 500 for Hendrick Motorsports

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — William Byron fortuitously missed the ferocious wrecks down the stretch at the Daytona 500 that knocked out contenders racing for the checkered flag and left him with a repeat victory in sight. “It’s an amazing race, and obviously a lot of crazy racing out there tonight and just a lot of pushing and shoving.” The 27-year-old …

1 month, 1 week ago

Daytona 500 Chaos: William Byron dodges crashes to claim second straight victory

India Today

William Byron raced to his second straight Daytona 500 win, dodging a series of late-race wrecks that eliminated multiple contenders and secured the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s victory Sunday night at Daytona International Speedway. US President Donald Trump was set to watch the remainder of the race in Florida after earlier leading drivers on two laps around the track in his …

1 month, 1 week ago

Final Daytona 500 practice is paced by Keselowski as Fords dominate session 17 drivers skipped

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ford led the final Daytona 500 practice with Brad Keselowski pacing the field as he attempts to snap a 15-year winless drought Sunday in “The Great American Race.” Keselowski has long struggled at Daytona International Speedway, where he’s typically a contender but gets caught in the carnage that is common. The field is jam-packed at 41 …

1 month, 1 week ago

Truex welcomes another shot at the Daytona 500, this one in the No. 56 his late father drove

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — When Martin Truex Jr. started discussing a deal to compete in the Daytona 500, he had a unique request: Could he drive the No. A day after Truex formally announced his entry into “The Great American Race,” his father died unexpectantly at age 66. But he came close in 2016, coming up inches short of Denny …

1 month, 1 week ago

NASCAR draws stars to Daytona 500 with Trump, Captain America expected at ‘Great American Race’

Associated Press

Follow live updates on the 2025 Daytona 500. “I think having a sitting president come and be a part of one of our biggest days of the year is special,” said Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver. He used a controversial new “elite-driver rule” to enter the race as the 41st driver, making this the largest Daytona 500 field in …

1 month, 1 week ago

Here’s a crash course — a cheat sheet, really — for the 67th running of the Daytona 500

Associated Press

Follow live updates on the 2025 Daytona 500. So much has changed since then, in technology and terminology, and there’s plenty to catch up on ahead of Sunday’s edition — the 67th running of “The Great American Race.” NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is here and so is four-time Indianapolis 500 champion and “Dancing With The Stars” winner Helio …

1 month, 1 week ago

With tears flowing, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets another shot at the Daytona 500 as a team owner

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. blinked back tears as the moment hit him at Daytona International Speedway — a track bursting with triumph and tragedy for his family — that he was, with a country star and a NASCAR champ in tow, back in the Daytona 500. Long NASCAR’s most popular driver as he built a Hall of …

1 month, 1 week ago

Castroneves to use “world-class driver” provisional to race in Daytona 500 after qualifying crash

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will race in the Daytona 500 as a special 41st driver under a new rule that allows for a “world-class driver” to receive a provisional spot. I’m excited to see him here and debut this car in the Daytona 500 and JR Motorsports in the Daytona 500.” Austin Cindric in …

1 month, 1 week ago

Jimmie Johnson takes charge: NASCAR legend becomes majority owner of Legacy Motor Club

India Today

DAYTONA BEACH: The vision of his true NASCAR future crystalized for Jimmie Johnson at last year’s season finale. “I still want to be behind the wheel,” Johnson said, “but it’s really. “As far as he’s concerned, in his first year with us last year, we didn’t have our act together in our obligation to John Hunter,” Johnson said. Johnson, a …

1 month, 1 week ago

Jimmie Johnson scuffled in his first 2 years as NASCAR team owner. Can he make Legacy a winner?

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The vision of his true NASCAR future crystalized for Jimmie Johnson at last year’s season finale. “As far as he’s concerned, in his first year with us last year, we didn’t have our act together in our obligation to John Hunter,” Johnson said. Johnson, a member of the 2024 class, skipped NASCAR’s Hall of Fame ceremony …

1 month, 1 week ago

Briscoe gives Toyota its first Daytona 500 pole as Johnson and Truex also lock into NASCAR opener

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Chase Briscoe led a banner night for Toyota in qualifying for the Daytona 500 by winning the pole for NASCAR’s “Great American Race.” It is the first Daytona 500 pole for Briscoe, who moved to Joe Gibbs Racing this season when Stewart-Haas Racing closed at the end of 2024. Can’t thank Coach Gibbs enough, the entire …

1 month, 1 week ago

Bubba Wallace grabs first Daytona 500 qualifying win in tight finish: ‘Really special’

New York Times

Bubba Wallace asserted himself as one of the favorites to win Sunday’s Daytona 500 after taking the victory Thursday night in his qualifying race at Daytona International Speedway, which sets the starting lineup for NASCAR’s marquee race. All in all a good night for the team.” The win puts Wallace in the third starting spot behind Chase Briscoe and Austin …

Denny Hamlin leads fast group of Toyotas in NASCAR’s opening practice for the Daytona 500

Trending News

1 month, 1 week ago

Denny Hamlin leads fast group of Toyotas in NASCAR’s opening practice for the Daytona 500

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin led a trio of Toyota drivers — the manufacturer claimed five of the top six spots — in Wednesday’s opening practice for the Daytona 500. The 50-minute morning session was the only scheduled on-track time before qualifying Wednesday night, when the front row will be set for “The Great American Race.” Hamlin, a three-time …

1 month, 1 week ago

Chase Briscoe secures first pole in JGR debut at Daytona 500 qualifying

New York Times

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe made an impactful debut in his first qualifying attempt with his new team, posting the fastest lap during Wednesday night’s session to win the pole for Sunday’s Daytona 500. Signed by JGR to replace the retiring Martin Truex Jr., Briscoe was the team’s first choice to fill the seat vacated by …

1 month, 1 week ago

NASCAR drivers divided on new rule that could guarantee Helio Castroneves a spot in the Daytona 500

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A controversial new NASCAR rule designed for “world-class drivers” could give Helio Castroneves an automatic berth into the Daytona 500, and, should the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner use the provisional, it would make for the largest field in a decade. Three-time Daytona 500 Denny Hamlin winner said the rule “reeks of desperation” by NASCAR, calling it …

2 months, 1 week ago

JR Motorsports enters Justin Allgaier into Daytona 500 in partnership with Chris Stapleton

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NASCAR team owned by Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. will attempt to make its Cup Series debut in the Daytona 500 with a champion driver and a partnership with a Grammy Award-winning artist. JR Motorsports has entered reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier into next month’s season-opening “Great American Race” in a Chevrolet Allgaier will …

2 months, 1 week ago

NASCAR team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. entering Justin Allgaier in Daytona 500

New York Times

The NASCAR team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports, will attempt to make its Cup Series debut in next month’s season-opening Daytona 500, the team announced Wednesday. Co-owned by Earnhardt, his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and Cup team owner Rick Hendrick, JRM is a powerhouse in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series. While racing in Cup is a new foray for …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Martin Truex Jr. closes out full-time NASCAR Cup Series career at Phoenix Raceway

Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Martin Truex Jr. got a nice surprise when his fellow drivers gave him a standing ovation during the prerace meeting Sunday before the NASCAR Cup Series finale. Truex finished 17th at Phoenix Raceway after all the hoopla — well behind winner Joey Logano — earning post-race handshakes and praise from Basketball Hall of Famer and 23XI Racing …

4 months, 2 weeks ago

Denny Hamlin won’t guarantee 23XI will be at Daytona 500 following judge’s ruling

Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Denny Hamlin, along with Michael Jordan the co-owner of 23XI Racing, for the first time is not guaranteeing their team will field cars at the start of the next season. “There’s certain things that we’re going to have to navigate, so I hope so.” There is a clause in the new charter agreements that begin next season …

1 year, 1 month ago

NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson runs into early trouble, finishes 28th at Daytona 500

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jimmie Johnson could only watch on pit road as the familiar, jubilant scene that twice before was for him raged around Daytona International Speedway. Fireworks exploded above him and a Hendrick Motorsports car — the organization Johnson once helped shape into the best in NASCAR — peeled off while the Daytona 500 checkered flag stuck out …

1 year, 1 month ago

William Byron launches Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary season with win in Daytona 500

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The goal was obvious to William Byron: put the No. 24 Chevrolet in victory lane in the 2024 Daytona 500 to launch Hendrick Motorsports’ 40th anniversary season. “I guess he was a ball of emotion there, and so I was like ‘Did we actually win or not?’” Byron snapped Hendrick Motorsports’ nine-race Daytona 500 losing streak …

1 year, 1 month ago

Kyle Larson hoping to get the jump on weather and rivals in the Daytona 500

LA Times

Kyle Larson hopes to break his 0-10 streak at the Daytona 500. “The Indy 500 is the biggest race in the world and you want to compete in the big ones,” Larson said. “I’ve always wanted to do the double because it’s a cool thing to try and accomplish, to finish both races in two different types of cars, two …

1 year, 1 month ago

Toyota takes high hopes into Daytona 500 but weather may affect ‘The Great American Race’

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Denny Hamlin leaned into the window of Christopher Bell’s winning Toyota to congratulate his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate on beating him in a Daytona 500 qualifying race. “Had to show the way.” After a dismal showing in time trials for Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500, the Toyota camp roared back and swept the two 150-mile qualifying races …

1 year, 1 month ago

LOCALIZE IT: The Daytona 500 is here. Find a local connection to NASCAR’s Super Bowl

Hindustan Times

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: HT Image Unlike almost every other major sport, which end with their highest profile event, the NASCAR season starts with the biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500. Hendrick is locked out NASCAR starts season with fresh new champion and off-track revenue sharing dispute Advisory: AP 2024 auto racing coverage AP Auto Racing Hub ___ HOW TO …

1 year, 1 month ago

Dale Earnhardt Jr. revisits his two Daytona 500 wins, 10 and 20 years later

New York Times

Subscribers can now follow NASCAR, Formula One and other motorsports content separately. The Daytona 500 holds special meaning to Earnhardt, who witnessed the struggles his father — seven-time Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. — endured in trying to win NASCAR’s signature race. “He’s in Turn 4 and I caught him and got right to his bumper and I’m like, …

1 year, 6 months ago

Top 5, Kansas: Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Martin Truex Jr. and the NASCAR playoff picture

New York Times

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Five thoughts after Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Kansas Speedway … 1. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing that is so different from other sports, is things out of your control can keep you from winning,” Hamlin said Sunday after finishing second. “That’s the thing about NASCAR racing … things out of your control …

3 years, 1 month ago

COLUMN: Another win for NASCAR with drama-free Daytona 500

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Jim France was ecstatic in the garage before the Daytona 500. The race marked a return to normalcy for NASCAR, which found flexibility during the pandemic that helped America’s top motorsports series navigate its way through two turbulent years. “All of the new fans that we had at the Coliseum, and certainly selling this place out …

3 years, 1 month ago

NASCAR revs up at Daytona with new car, new teams, new look

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brad Keselowski knew his father was losing his battle with cancer when he promised him he’d win last year’s Daytona 500. “It’s bittersweet that it didn’t happen while he was still alive.” Bob Keselowski died in December, and his son is back at Daytona International Speedway still trying to fulfill his promise. The rebranded RFK Racing …

5 years, 1 month ago

Denny Hamlin wins 3rd Daytona 500; Ryan Newman hospitalized

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Ryan Newman flipped across the finish line, his Ford planted upside down and on fire, a grim reminder of a sport steeped in danger that has stretched nearly two decades without a fatality. At the finish line, Denny Hamlin made history with a second straight Daytona 500 victory in an overtime photo finish over Ryan Blaney, …

5 years, 1 month ago

Joe Gibbs’ unique place among NASCAR team owners fueled by his work ethic

LA Times

Few in professional sports have had a second career like Joe Gibbs. “I don’t know how you can go through things like that,” Gibbs said. It doesn’t matter what time of day, I always feel like he’s there.” Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, right, with fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott, left, and Jerry Rice, who were …

6 years, 1 month ago

Denny Hamlin wins 2nd Daytona 500 in 4 years

China Daily

NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin celebrates with the Harley J Earl Trophy after winning Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 17, 2019. DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — Denny Hamlin has won his second Daytona 500 in four years, taking the checkered flag for Joe Gibbs Racing a month after Joe Gibbs' oldest son died following a long battle …

6 years, 1 month ago

Denny Hamlin wins 2nd Daytona 500 in 4 years

China Daily

11 years, 1 month ago

Nascar: Dale Earnhardt Jr triumphs in marathon Daytona 500 after new season gets off to a rain-interrupted crash-a-thon

The Independent

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11 years, 1 month ago

Earnhardt Jr. wins 2nd Daytona 500 a decade later

Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Through rain and wrecks, on Daytona’s longest day, this was a drought Dale Earnhardt Jr. was determined to end. 88 Chevrolet, the few who withstood a rain delay of 6 hours, 22 minutes screaming their support, Earnhardt euphorically radioed his crew, saying: “This is better than the first one!” He was met by Rick Hendrick after …

11 years, 8 months ago

Johnson completes NASCAR Daytona double

India TV News

Daytona Beach, Jul 7: Jimmie Johnson became the first driver in 31 years to win both Daytona races in the same year, accomplishing the feat with a dominating run Saturday for his fourth win of the season. He held off Kevin Harvick on the restart, and then pulled out front to a sizeable lead.Tony Stewart moved into second and may …

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1 week, 1 day ago