It is time to for all eyes to be on the World Center of Racing, as the competitors get ready to jump start the 2024 season, with the NASCAR Cup Series’ biggest event, the DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway this Sunday, February 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This year marks the 76th season for the NASCAR Cup Series (1949-2024). During that time, the series has run 2,750 points-paying races, and has crowned 36 different driver champions including the newest title holder, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney.
Blaney has joined an elite list of active champions that includes Jimmie Johnson (2006-2010, 2013, 2016), Kyle Busch (2015, 2019), Joey Logano (2018, 2022), Brad Keselowski (2012), Martin Truex Jr. (2017), Chase Elliott (2020) and Kyle Larson (2021).
‘Mr. Worldwide’ to get the party started at Daytona
The sunny beaches of Central Florida will play host to the official kick-off of the 36-race points-paying NASCAR Cup Series championship season, and no better person to help get everyone ‘feeling good’ than multi-platinum recording artist Armando Christian Pérez, Pitbull, who will be performing the pre-race show on the ballfield prior to the DAYTONA 500.
“There’s no better way to get the energy flowing than with Pitbull performing our pre-race concert for the Daytona 500,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Pitbull has continued to release major hits for over a decade and has shown tremendous longevity as an artist over the years. He’ll bring all the South Florida vibes and culture up here to put on quite the show for the 66th running of The Great American Race.”
Pitbull announced the next iteration of the “TRACKHOUSE” album series, set for release in February. The lyrics and cover of the EP titled “TRACKHOUSE: Daytona 500 Edition” reflect key elements of NASCAR’s biggest race. Pitbull joined Trackhouse Racing as a co-owner in 2021, connecting the world of music and racing to unite and inspire fans globally.
“It’s an honor to once again be part of the Great American Race, this time performing at the DAYTONA 500,” said Trackhouse team co-owner Armando Christian Perez (Pitbull). “So, Everyone start your engines, Get Ready and Dale!”
“Mr. Worldwide” has earned 46 total awards throughout his career, sold 25 million studio albums, has over 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and passed 18 billion YouTube views. Most recently his Billboard Hot 100 global hit “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer surpassed 1 Billion streams on Spotify, his third record to join Spotify’s billion streams club.
Bowman can tie Yarborough, Elliott, Baker for series lead in DAYTONA 500 poles
Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman will be hunting for three qualifying records this week leading into the DAYTONA 500. The first record would be if he wins the pole on Wednesday, he will tie NASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (1985-87, 2001), Cale Yarborough (1968, ’70, ’78, ’84) and Buddy Baker (1969, ’73, ’79, ’80) for the all-time lead in DAYTONA 500 poles with four each. Bowman posted his third DAYTONA 500 pole last season (2018, 2021, 2023).
The next record Bowman will be aiming to accomplish, will be extending his record of six straight starts on the front row for the DAYTONA 500 to seven. Bowman has not qualified worse than second in the Great American Race since 2018. Prior to Bowman reaching five straight, the previous record of consecutive front row starts in the DAYTONA 500 was three and it had occurred five times – Fireball Roberts (1961-1963), Richard Petty (1966-1968), Bill Elliott (1985-1987), Ken Schrader (1988-1990), Dale Earnhardt (1994-1996).
The third qualifying record dangling for Bowman to grab this week is if he wins the pole again this season, he will become just the sixth different driver to win consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles; joining Fireball Roberts (1961-1963), Buddy Baker (1979-1980), Bill Elliott (1985, 1986, 1987), Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990) and his Hendrick Motorsports’ teammate Chase Elliott (2016, 2017).
Hot Streak: Chevrolet looks to win their 12th consecutive DAYTONA 500 pole
Chevrolet drivers will be looking to keep the streak of consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles alive this weekend as they look to make it 12 straight poles for the Great American Race – extending their race record.
DAYTONA 500 pole winners from the last 11 seasons:
| Seasons | DAYTONA 500 Pole Winners | Manufacturer |
| 2023 | Alex Bowman | Chevrolet |
| 2022 | Kyle Larson | Chevrolet |
| 2021 | Alex Bowman | Chevrolet |
| 2020 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | Chevrolet |
| 2019 | William Byron | Chevrolet |
| 2018 | Alex Bowman | Chevrolet |
| 2017 | Chase Elliott | Chevrolet |
| 2016 | Chase Elliott | Chevrolet |
| 2015 | Jeff Gordon | Chevrolet |
| 2014 | Austin Dillon | Chevrolet |
| 2013 | Danica Patrick | Chevrolet |
Prior to this current streak of DAYTONA 500 poles by Chevrolet, the longest streak of consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles by a manufacturer was four straight by Pontiac from 1960-1963 and Chevrolet from 2008-2011.
In total, seven different manufacturers have won the pole for the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 31; followed by Ford (12), Pontiac (eight), Mercury (five), Dodge (four), Oldsmobile (three), and Plymouth (two).
Hendrick Motorsports is seeking fourth consecutive DAYTONA 500 pole
Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in DAYTONA 500 poles with a total of 16 poles for the Great American Race – 10 more than the next organization on the list – Richard Childress Racing with six.
Hendrick Motorsports also holds the record for the most consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles with five straight from 2015-2019. This weekend, Hendrick Motorsports will look to score their fourth consecutive DAYTONA 500 pole and their ninth in the last 10 DAYTONA 500s (2015-2024).
Nine different drivers have contributed to the Hendrick Motorsports’ record 16 DAYTONA 500 poles – Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990), Jeff Gordon (1999, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (2002, 2008), Mark Martin (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011), Chase Elliott (2016, 2017), Alex Bowman (2018, 2021, 2023), William Byron (2019) and Kyle Larson (2022).
Locked In: Qualifying on the front row for DAYTONA 500 has its benefits
Start your engines and make sure you don’t miss Busch Light Pole Qualifying for the DAYTONA 500 on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The fastest two drivers in Busch Light Pole Qualifying will be locked into the DAYTONA 500. Some competitors will argue their starting spot is of no consequence in the Great American Race, but the pole position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (nine) than any other position.
The DAYTONA 500 pole or first starting position has a winning percentage of 13.8%. The most recent driver to win the DAYTONA 500 from the pole is NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett in 2000.
In total, seven drivers have won the DAYTONA 500 from the pole. NASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (1985, 1987) and Cale Yarborough (1968, 1984) are the only two drivers to accomplish the feat more than once.
| Season | DAYTONA 500 Winners From The Pole |
| 1962 | Fireball Roberts |
| 1966 | Richard Petty |
| 1968 | Cale Yarborough |
| 1980 | Buddy Baker |
| 1984 | Cale Yarborough |
| 1985 | Bill Elliott |
| 1987 | Bill Elliott |
| 1999 | Jeff Gordon |
| 2000 | Dale Jarrett |
This week, eight former DAYTONA 500 pole winners are entered in the event – Kyle Larson (2022), Chase Elliott (2016, 2017), Alex Bowman (2018, 2021, 2023), Austin Dillon (2014), Martin Truex Jr. (2009), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2020), William Byron (2019), Jimmie Johnson (2002, 2008).
How the DAYTONA 500 starting lineups will be decided
Setting the field for the DAYTONA 500 is unlike any other race in the world, and that is one of the many reasons why this event holds so much prestige.
Single-car qualifying on Feb. 14 (8 p.m. ET on FS1) will have two rounds, with the top 10 qualifiers in Round 1 moving on to the second round. The fastest two cars in Round 2 will lock in as the front-row starters for Sunday’s DAYTONA 500 (Feb 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The rest of the starting grid will be decided by the BlueGreen Vacations Duel – two 60 lap qualifying races.
First, the single-car qualifying results will set the lineups for the Bluegreen Vacation Duel races on Thursday evening. Cars finishing first, third, fifth, seventh, etc. in single-car runs will comprise the field for Duel 1. The cars in even-numbered finishing positions in single-car qualifying will comprise the field for Duel 2.
Then the results from the Bluegreen Vacation Duels will set the starting lineup for the DAYTONA 500.
If more than 40 cars are entered in the race, the two fastest open cars, without a charter, in single-car qualifying will lock their way into the race regardless of the results of Thursday’s Duel. The final two spots of the 40-car field will be determined by the best finishers of the qualifying races.
A closer look at the BlueGreen Vacations Duel
Do you mean you have to race to get into the race? That’s right, welcome to the BlueGreen Vacations Duel.
From 1972 to 2004 the Duels were each scheduled for 50 laps and during that time frame eight of the Duel events had a driver lead 100% of the laps from flag-to-flag – NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip was the first to accomplish the feat in 1988; he was later joined by Dale Earnhardt (1991,1998), Davey Allison (1991), Ernie Irvan (1996), Bill Elliott (2000), Ricky Rudd (2000) and Jeff Gordon (2002).
The race distance was updated to 60 laps in 2005 and ever since the most a driver has led in a Duel event is 86.7% (52 laps of the scheduled 60) by Aric Almirola in 2021.
A total of 47 different drivers have won the NASCAR Cup Series BlueGreen Vacations Duel, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with 12 Duel victories – seven more than the next competitor.
A total of 10 active drivers have won at least one of the Duel events at Daytona, led by Denny Hamlin (2008, 2014, 2017), Joey Logano (2019, 2020, 2023) and Kyle Busch (2009, 2013, 2016) with three victories each. The other seven active Duel winners are Chase Elliott (2017, 2018), Jimmie Johnson (2010, 2015), Ryan Blaney (2018), William Byron (2020), Austin Dillon (2021), Brad Keselowski (2022) and Chris Buescher (2022).
Since 1972, seven times a driver has won the Duel he competed in and then went on to win the DAYTONA 500 in the same year. The last driver to accomplish the feat was Matt Kenseth in 2012 (Duel #2).
No greater victory than the Great American Race
Known as the biggest race in NASCAR, the DAYTONA 500 holds a special place in every stock car driver’s heart. It’s an instant catapult to fame for the victor. It’s the pinnacle of a racer’s career, the crowning achievement that all other drivers aspire to possess, and fans and media admire. The NASCAR Cup Series season-opener is unlike any other event and holds the prestige among its competitors due to its ever-changing difficulty to master, much less finish. And this year’s Great American Race will undoubtedly bring all the action and excitement we have all grown to love and feverishly anticipate.
“It’s always, for me, one of those ‘pinch me’ moments the first lap or two,” said Chase Briscoe. “The prerace is crazy just knowing how many people are there, first off, but then even when you’re in the car and going around there, just knowing there are millions and millions of people watching the race on TV. I’ve made it a point every year before we take the green flag to look up at the grandstands to take it all in, just knowing you get to run that race. It’s super cool. There aren’t many races in the world that have that kind of feel and effect to it. Definitely a cool one, and I’m excited to run another one, truthfully.”
Seven DAYTONA 500 champs taking the green flag this weekend
In total, 42 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won a DAYTONA 500, and seven of the 42 are active this weekend:
| Rank | Active Daytona 500 Winners | Wins | Seasons |
| 1 | Denny Hamlin | 3 | 2020, 2019, 2016 |
| 2 | Jimmie Johnson | 2 | 2013, 2006 |
| 3 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | 1 | 2023 |
| 4 | Austin Cindric | 1 | 2022 |
| 5 | Michael McDowell | 1 | 2021 |
| 6 | Austin Dillon | 1 | 2018 |
| 7 | Joey Logano | 1 | 2015 |
NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in DAYTONA 500 victories with seven trophies – (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981). Richard’s father, Lee Petty, won the inaugural DAYTONA 500 on February 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by two feet in an Oldsmobile.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in DAYTONA 500 wins with three Harley J. Earl trophies (2016, 2019, 2020). JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Senhouse Jr. won last season’s DAYTONA 500.
Clash winner Denny Hamlin looks to keep the victories coming
Last weekend the NASCAR Cup Series got rockin’-n-rollin’ with a return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum quarter-mile for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. Due to inclement weather the event was run on Saturday night instead of Sunday and Denny Hamlin managed grab his fourth Clash career victory (2006, 2014, 2016 and 2024) moving him into second on the all-time Clash wins list behind NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt with six wins. The victory by Hamlin also delivered Joe Gibbs Racing its series-leading 12th Clash win – 2024, ’23, ‘21, ‘20, ‘16, ‘14, ‘15, ‘12, ‘07, ‘06, ‘02, ‘01.
Now, Denny Hamlin, looks to become just the second different driver to win the Clash and the DAYTONA 500 in the same season multiple times; joining NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett (1996, 2000).
In total, five drivers have won the Busch Light Clash and the DAYTONA 500 in the same season: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997) and Denny Hamlin (2016).
Stenhouse Jr. looks to become fifth driver all-time to win back-to-back DAYTONA 500s
JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. returns to Daytona International Speedway as the defending DAYTONA 500 winner, and this weekend will look to add his name to the list of multiple Great American Race winners.
If Stenhouse does win this weekend, he will become just the fifth different driver to win consecutive DAYTONA 500s; joining Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95) and Denny Hamlin (2019-20).
First-time winners at Daytona happen often
They say you always remember the ‘first-time’ and Daytona International Speedway has been known for making memories that last in the NASCAR Cup Series.
In total 17 different drivers have scored their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Daytona International Speedway and 23 different drivers have won their first race in the NASCAR Cup Series at the 2.5-mile track.
| First Time Pole Winners | Season | First Time Race Winners | Season |
| William Byron | 2019 | Austin Cindric | 2022 |
| Chase Elliott | 2016 | Michael McDowell | 2021 |
| Austin Dillon | 2014 | William Byron | 2020 |
| Danica Patrick | 2013 | Justin Haley | 2019 |
| Paul Menard | 2008 | Erik Jones | 2018 |
| Greg Biffle | 2004 | Aric Almirola | 2014 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 2002 | David Ragan | 2011 |
| Kevin Harvick | 2002 | Trevor Bayne | 2011 |
| Mike Skinner | 1997 | Greg Biffle | 2003 |
| Dale Jarrett | 1995 | Michael Waltrip | 2001 |
| Loy Allen Jr | 1994 | John Andretti | 1997 |
| Sterling Marlin | 1991 | Jimmy Spencer | 1994 |
| Greg Sacks | 1990 | Sterling Marlin | 1994 |
| Geoff Bodine | 1982 | Derrike Cope | 1990 |
| Ramo Stott | 1976 | Greg Sacks | 1985 |
| Charlie Glotzbach | 1968 | Pete Hamilton | 1970 |
| Darel Dieringer | 1964 | Mario Andretti | 1967 |
| Earl Balmer | 1966 | ||
| Sam McQuagg | 1966 | ||
| A.J. Foyt | 1964 | ||
| Bobby Isaac | 1964 | ||
| Johnny Rutherford | 1963 | ||
| Tiny Lund | 1963 | ||
Of the 65 DAYTONA 500 races in the books, nine times a driver has posted his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory with a win in the event; the most recent to accomplish the feat was Team Penske’s Austin Cindric in 2022.
| First-Time Winners in DAYTONA 500 | Seasons |
| Tiny Lund | 1963 |
| Mario Andretti | 1967 |
| Pete Hamilton | 1970 |
| Derrike Cope | 1990 |
| Sterling Marlin | 1994 |
| Michael Waltrip | 2001 |
| Trevor Bayne | 2011 |
| Michael McDowell | 2021 |
| Austin Cindric | 2022 |
Three other drivers posted their career-first NASCAR Cup Series victory in (points-paying) qualifying races at Daytona: Johnny Rutherford (1963), Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).
15 drivers on the search for their first career Cup win this weekend
Looking at the entry list for this season’s DAYTONA 500, 15 drivers will be attempting to earn their first NASCAR Cup Series win this weekend (in alphabetical order) – Anthony Alfredo, Josh Berry, Harrison Burton, Ty Gibbs, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, Kaz Grala, Daniel Hemric, Riley Herbst, Carson Hocevar, Corey Lajoie, B.J. McLeod, John Hunter Nemechek, Ryan Preece, and Zane Smith.
Of the 15 drivers looking for their first win this weekend, Carson Hocevar is the only one that will be making his NASCAR Cup Series track debut at the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway this week. Of the remaining 14, the best finish at Daytona belongs to Ryan Preece, who finished fourth in the 2021 August race.
Ryan Blaney looks to become sixth defending Cup champion to win DAYTONA 500
Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion and Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney has the opportunity to become just the sixth different driver in series history to win the DAYTONA 500 as the defending series champion.
Five reigning NASCAR Cup Series champions have gone on to win the DAYTONA 500 the season after winning the championship – all now NASCAR Hall of Famers: Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty (1973), Cale Yarborough (1977), Jeff Gordon (1999) and Dale Jarrett (2000).
Denny Hamlin will attempt to tie Cale Yarborough for second-most DAYTONA 500 wins
If Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin (2016, 2019, 2020) wins the DAYTONA 500 this season he will tie NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough (1968, 1977, 1983, 1984) for the second-most DAYTONA 500 victories all-time with four each.
Only six drivers all-time in the NASCAR Cup Series have scored three or more DAYTONA 500 victories, led by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with seven wins in the Great American Race (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981); followed by Cale Yarborough (1968, 1977, 1983, 1984), Bobby Allison (1978, 1982, 1988), Dale Jarrett (1993, 1996, 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999, 2005) and Denny Hamlin (2016, 2019, 2020).
Legacy Motor Club’s driver Jimmie Johnson can become the seventh driver to win three DAYTONA 500s this weekend. The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has two DAYTONA 500 wins to his name, hoisting the trophies in 2006 and 2013.
Hendrick Motorsports can tie Petty Enterprises for series-most DAYTONA 500 wins
A total of 27 different organizations have won the Great American Race, led by Petty Enterprises with nine DAYTONA 500 victories (1981, ’79, ’74, ’73, ’71, ’70, ’66, ’64, ’59). This weekend, powerhouse organization Hendrick Motorsports, can tie Petty Enterprises for the series lead in DAYTONA 500 wins. Hendrick currently has eight DAYTONA 500 wins (2014, ’13, ’06, ’05, ’99, ’97, ’89, ’86).
Just three drivers contributed to the Petty Enterprises nine DAYTONA 500 wins – Lee Petty (1959) Pete Hamilton (1970), and Richard Petty (1964, ’66. ’71, ’73, ’73, ’79, ’81).
Five drivers helped Hendrick Motorsports reach their eight DAYTONA 500 wins – Geoff Bodine (1986), Darrell Waltrip (1989), Jeff Gordon (1997, ’99, ’05), Jimmie Johnson (2006, ’13) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014).
2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year Class: Berry, Grala, Smith, Hocevar
This season four drivers will compete for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Cup Series – Stewart-Haas Racing’s Josh Berry, Rick Ware Racing’s Kaz Grala and Spire Motorsports teammates Zane Smith and Carson Hocevar. Note: Grala will run majority of the season with RWR but will be attempting the DAYTONA 500 with Front Row Motorsports.
The Sunoco Rookie of the Year point system mirrors the points structure that awards the season-long championship, including stage points and Playoff points, with the eventual Sunoco Rookie of the Year earning the most points throughout the season.
As is the case with the season-long points structure, a race win will earn a Sunoco Rookie 40 points and five Playoff points. A second-place finish will earn a Sunoco Rookie 35 points; a third-place finish nets 34 points, and so on. A Sunoco Rookie who wins a stage will earn 10 points and one Playoff point.
Josh Berry – No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford – takes over the No. 4 previously driven by the recently retired Kevin Harvick and will be working with crew chief Rodney Childers this season. Berry has made one start at Daytona in the NASCAR Cup Series, last August for Legacy Motor Club, he started 29th and finished 22nd. This will be his first career attempt at the DAYTONA 500.
Kaz Grala – No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford – will be attempting to qualify for the DAYTONA 500 with Front Row Motorsports No. 36 team, but plans to run the majority of the season with Rick Ware Racing in the No. 15 Ford. This weekend, Grala will be working with crew chief Seth Barbour. Grala has made three starts at Daytona posting a best finish of 26th in last season’s DAYTONA 500.
Zane Smith – No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – has been tapped to drive the No. 71 for Spire Motorsports’ newly formed team working with crew chief Stephen Doran. Smith made his DAYTONA 500 career debut last season driving for Front Row Motorsports, he started the event 17th and raced his way up to a 13th-place finish.
Carson Hocevar – No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet – will strap into the No. 77 for Spire Motorsports replacing Ty Dillon and will be collaborating with crew chief Luke Lambert. This weekend will mark the NASCAR Cup Series track debut for Carson Hocevar at Daytona International Speedway.
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