The biggest NASCAR race of the year is back. With the Daytona 500 set to kick off this week, NASCAR released the entry list of the teams running for glory at the World Center of Racing. 42 teams have entered the fray, including 36 chartered and four part-time teams. The chartered full-time cars are locked into the Daytona 500, while an attractive part-time lineup awaits the qualifying rounds.
One of the significant grievances for the Daytona 500 has been the lack of practice sessions. In a repeat of last year’s Daytona Speedweeks, NASCAR announced that Tuesday afternoon’s draw will decide how cars come onto the track for the single-car qualifying session. The qualifying session will start on Wednesday, and ten drivers with the fastest 2.5-mile lap times will proceed to compete for the pole.
How Cup Series drivers will line up at Daytona 500
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Following the single-car qualifying session, the second round will decide the order of the grid. The two fastest drivers in the second session will occupy the front row at the Daytona International Speedway. However, this is where the Daytona 500 differs from other races on the schedule. Apart from the two drivers locked in on the front row, the remaining teams will determine their starting position through the Bluegreen Vacations Duel on Thursday.
As for the non-chartered teams, only four spots are available for six teams. With two of the fastest non-chartered cars in single-car qualifying sealing their place in the Daytona 500 main event, the remaining two cars to join the Great American Race will be decided through the Duels.
42 teams on the entry list for Sunday's Daytona 500.https://t.co/FS4h36HGjr pic.twitter.com/I3oO4uu5ol
— Jayski (@jayski) February 12, 2024
Moving to the Bluegreen Vacations Duels, the non-chartered teams that finish higher in each Duel, will find a spot on the Daytona 500 grid. If such teams are already in the main event, the slot will be awarded to the next fastest non-chartered team. This year’s Daytona 500 has attracted one of the most star-studded guest lists in recent history. The NASCAR community has long waited to see some of these drivers in action.
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Fans will get a chance to see David Ragan and Jimmie Johnson in action at Daytona
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Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson announced his participation in the 2024 Daytona 500 a month ago. On the same note, he also revealed it wouldn’t be his only outing in the 2024 Cup Series season as he aims to race in the big three races at Daytona, Charlotte, and Indianapolis. Johnson will run in the Legacy Motor Club No.84 Toyota with Carvana as his primary sponsor.
Jimmie Johnson has also unveiled the paint scheme for the #84 car for the Daytona 500, which is a tribute to the event’s winningest driver and a fellow seven-time champ, Richard Petty. The paint scheme will honor the No.43 Petty Blue Plymouth, which earned the Hall of Famer his first Daytona 500 win in 1964.
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We’re thrilled to present Carvana’s 2024 Daytona 500 paint scheme. We partnered with @JimmieJohnson to celebrate the Petty family’s 75th anniversary in NASCAR with a paint scheme that pays tribute to “The King” Richard Petty’s iconic 1964 Plymouth. See you in Daytona! #Daytona pic.twitter.com/mS9BEMTi6W
— Carvana Racing (@CarvanaRacing) February 1, 2024
Apart from Jimmie, David Ragan will also attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 on Thursday for RFK Racing. Arriving at the prestigious track in the No.60 Ford Mustang, Ragan has also devised a plan to participate in more races with the team this year.
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The only team to have yet to announce its driver for the Daytona speed week is NY Racing. Following a controversial situation with former full-time NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, the team is yet to find a replacement for the No.44 Chevrolet. From the looks of it, the 2024 Daytona 500 might be an electric showdown with so many stars on the track.
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