The highly anticipated 2025 Daytona 500 is finally here, marking the start of the NASCAR Cup Series season. The event features a unique qualifying format not used at any other race weekend. On Wednesday night, all entered cars will make one lap at top speed to determine the order. The top 10 drivers then participate in a shootout, with the top two times setting the front row for Sunday’s race.
The remaining cars are divided into two 60-lap qualifying “duels” on Thursday night, which will set the field from spots three through 40. The first duel determines the inside row slots, while the second duel sets the outside rows.
TV/streaming schedule:
* Friday: Daytona 500 practice (5:30-6:30 p.m., FS1)
* Saturday: Final practice (10:30-11:30 a.m., FS1)
* Sunday: Daytona 500 (2:30-6 p.m., Fox)
Track and race details:
* Track: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile high-banked tri-oval) in Daytona Beach, Florida
* Banking: Turns – 31 degrees | Tri-oval – 18 degrees | Backstretch – 3 degrees
* Race length: 200 laps for 500 miles
* Stage lengths: Stage 1 – 65 laps | Stage 2 – 65 laps | Stage 3 – 130 laps
Notable entries and drivers:
* Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time series champion and winner of the 2006 and 2013 Daytona 500s, will attempt to qualify for the event in a third entry for his team.
* Hélio Castroneves, four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, will make an entry into the field as a provisional driver due to a new rule. If he posts one of the top 40 times, there will be only 40 cars on the starting grid.
Odds to win:
* Ryan Blaney +1200
* Joey Logano +1200
* Brad Keselowski +1200
* Kyle Busch +1400
* Denny Hamlin +1500
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/2025-daytona-500-bubba-wallace-austin-cindric-win-qualifying-duels-tv-schedule-race-details-and-more-211607799.html