USA Today via Reuters
Feb 14, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series drivers Austin Dillion (3), Cole Custer (41) and Kyle Larson (5) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 14, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series drivers Austin Dillion (3), Cole Custer (41) and Kyle Larson (5) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With the Great American Race set to hit the tracks in about a week, fans are ecstatic. They are pumped to know which of their favorite drivers will take the wheel. The Daytona 500 race is going to be flagged off on February 18th at Daytona Beach. But before the battle for the victory, racers will lock horns in a fierce battle to qualify for the much-anticipated race.
The Daytona 500 holds a strong historical legacy in the American stock car racing scene. The first-ever Daytona race was conducted in 1959, coinciding with the inauguration of the speedway. Since 1982, it has been at the forefront of every NASCAR season: by being the official season-opener for the Cup Series. With emotions running high while awaiting the grand race, it is high time to dive into the drivers who will perform.
The names who will breathe life into the Daytona 500
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A legendary race is defined by the daredevil racers who have burned rubber in it. The same can be said of the Daytona 500, one of the most popular races in NASCAR. The 66th annual version of the 200-lap race will be held at the 2.5-mile oval. 36 charter entries have fixed their drivers, with the grand dates rapidly approaching. Here is a comprehensive list of all driver/car combos in the charter entries.
No. 34 – Michael McDowell and No. 38 – Todd Gilliland for Front Row Motorsports, Ford.
No. 5 – Kyle Larson, No. 9 – Chase Elliott, No. 24 – William Byron, and No. 48 – Alex Bowman for Wood Brothers Racing, Ford, Chevrolet.
No. 11 – Denny Hamlin, No. 19 – Martin Truex Jr, No. 20 – Christopher Bell, and No. 54 – Ty Gibbs for Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota.
No. 47 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr for JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet.
No. 16 – A. J. Allmendinger, and No. 31 – Daniel Hemric for Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet.
No. 42 – John Hunter Nemechek, and No. 43 – Erik Jones for Legacy Motor Club, Toyota.
No. 6 – Brad Keselowski, and No. 17 – Chris Buescher for RFK Racing, Ford.
No. 3 – Austin Dillon, and No. 8 – Kyle Busch for Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet.
No. 15 – Riley Herbst, and No. 51 – Justin Haley for Rick Ware Racing, Ford.
No. 7 – Corey LaJoie, No. 71 – Zane Smith, No. 77 – Carson Hocevar (R) for Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet
No. 4 – Josh Berry (R), No. 10 – Noah Gragson, No. 14 – Chase Briscoe, and No. 41 – Ryan Preece for Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
No. 2 – Austin Cindric, No. 12 – Ryan Blaney, and No. 22 – Joey Logano for Team Penske, Ford.
No. 1 – Ross Chastain, and No. 99 – Daniel Suarez for Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet
No. 23 – Bubba Wallace, and No. 45 – Tyler Reddick for 23XI Racing, Toyota.
And No. 21 – Harrison Burton for Wood Brothers Racing, Ford
The qualification round will be held in less than a week. The starting line-up will be assured of their places in the Bluegreen Vacations Duels.
Besides the charter entries, the handful of non-charter entries have almost been confirmed.
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‘Open’ Drivers to fight tooth and nail for a place in the race
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The 36 charter entries may have confirmed a place in the Great American Race, however, the list is not over as five more drivers are battling to fill in the last places on the 40-car field in the Daytona 500. The only difference is that the Open entries do not have guaranteed starting spots like the chartered ones. They need to qualify for the event either on speed or in the Duels.
The presently confirmed non-chartered cars and their drivers are as follows.
No. 62 – Anthony Alfredo for Beard Motorsports, Chevrolet
No. 36 – Kaz Grala for Front Row Motorsports, Ford
No. 84 – Jimmie Johnson for Legacy Motor Club, Toyota
No. 78 – B. J. McLeod for Live Fast Motorsports, Chevrolet
No. 60 – David Ragan for RFK Racing, Ford.
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That makes five announced “open” cars for four spots for Daytona: 36-Grala(FRM) 60-Ragan(RFK) 62-Alfredo(Beard) 78-McLeod(Live Fast) 84-Johnson (Legacy) … NY Racing still working on Daytona 500 plans … not expecting Money Team nor a third car for Trackhouse, 23XI, Kaulig
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 23, 2024
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The Daytona 500 race will air live on Fox from Daytona International Speedway beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18. All the big names are fixed, and the Daytona 500 is going to take off with flying colors. All that’s left is for us to buckle our seatbelts for the ride!
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