The starting lineup for the 67th Daytona 500 has been finalized, featuring a surprise twist in the form of four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who will join the field as the 41st driver. Castroneves, making his NASCAR debut due to a new exemption for world-class drivers, will start alone in the 21st row.
The lineup boasts an impressive mix of veteran and rookie drivers, with Chase Briscoe taking pole position alongside Austin Cindric. Bubba Wallace, who won the first Duel qualifier, starts third, alongside Erik Jones. Other notable names include William Byron, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Joey Logano, and Kyle Busch.
Castroneves’ addition brings an unprecedented level of international competition to the event, with the Brazilian driver set to make his NASCAR debut without eligible for points or money. The 2025 Daytona 500 is shaping up to be a thrilling contest, with Castroneves’ presence guaranteed to draw attention from fans and fellow competitors alike.
Note: The article has been simplified and restructured while retaining essential information, making it suitable for a professional news blog article.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/starting-lineup-for-the-67th-daytona-500-2025