Denny Hamlin is in pursuit of his fourth victory at the Daytona 500, while William Byron aims to defend his title from the previous year. Both drivers, along with 2024 NASCAR champion Joey Logano, will compete in “The Great American Race” on February 16 at Daytona International Speedway.
If Hamlin secures a win, he will become the third driver in history to claim four Daytona 500 titles. Byron’s ambition to win again would make him the first back-to-back champion since Hamlin himself accomplished the feat in 2019 and 2020. The competition will also feature Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s most popular driver, who recently triumphed in the exhibition Clash, hoping to mirror his father’s (Bill Elliott) 1987 success. Other notable competitors include Bubba Wallace, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and Ryan Blaney, alongside three international entrants: Helio Castroneves from Brazil, Daniel Suarez from Mexico, and Shane van Gisbergen from New Zealand.
Fans can catch the Daytona 500 broadcast on Fox and Fox Deportes, starting at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The commentary team features Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and Kevin Harvick, with Larry McReynolds providing in-depth analysis. Coverage from the pit road will be presented by Jamie Little, Regan Smith, and Josh Sims. The race itself is set to begin around 2:30 p.m. Eastern on February 16.
Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski are the current betting favorites, each holding +1200 odds to come out on top, according to BETMGM Sportsbook.
The event will see Pitbull performing at the pre-race concert, adding to the festive atmosphere. As part of the ownership group of Trackhouse Racing, he brings additional celebrity flair, joining other stars who traditionally fill roles like grand marshal, pace car driver, and honorary starter. Notably, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been named the grand marshal for the 2024 Daytona 500.
This year, NASCAR implemented a new rule introducing a starting spot for what they describe as “world-class drivers.” Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, has secured this position for the race, marking his NASCAR debut at age 49 while driving for Trackhouse Racing. It’s important to note under this rule, the driver or car owner will not earn any race points, playoff points, or prize money. Furthermore, other cars that finish behind him will receive an adjustment, moving up one finishing position along with corresponding adjustments to their prize and race points.
The Daytona 500 field typically comprises 40 drivers, with 36 guaranteed spots while four additional spots are open and determined through qualifying races. If Castroneves doesn’t qualify through this traditional method, there may be 41 cars in the race. Among those vying for the remaining spots are former NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr., a 2017 champion. Additionally, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR-affiliated team will also be making its Cup Series debut, with last year’s Xfinity Series champion, Justin Allgaier, at the helm.
In a controversial turn of events, 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, along with Front Row Motorsports, has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR regarding the charter system critical to the Cup Series. This charter system guarantees 36 cars a spot in each race, leaving four available positions for competitors.
The teams have united, seeking changes in a challenging negotiation process with NASCAR that has spanned nearly two years. In September, NASCAR presented a take-it-or-leave-it proposal just as the playoffs commenced. Ultimately, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only two out of fifteen teams to reject the offer, opting instead to pursue litigation—accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices. A court has since permitted them to compete this season as chartered teams while the lawsuit is ongoing.
