Daytona 500 ranks as NASCAR’s premier race, and this Sunday, Feb. 16, it captivates fans on FOX. This event transforms into a fierce contest and a strategic game over the course of 200 laps.
Racing at Daytona International combines an element of chance with the brilliance of daring strategies.
Who will emerge victorious in the 2025 Daytona 500?
Here’s a ranking of drivers, providing insights into their likelihood of capturing this prestigious trophy.
41. Cody Ware (Starting 28th)
Cody Ware faces challenges without his crew chief, Billy Plourde, who was ejected for adjustments made post-tech inspection. Tommy Baldwin steps in to lead the Rick Ware Racing team, which has dealt with significant repairs after a recent crash. Despite finishing 14th in the 2023 Daytona 500, achieving a similar finish will be tough this time around.
40. Helio Castroneves (41st)
Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indianapolis 500 champion, enters with a provisional spot aimed at attracting viewers. Driving a non-chartered car for Trackhouse, he hopes recent practice at Talladega will help him navigate this race effectively, despite his team needing to repair damage from his qualifying race.
39. Zane Smith (37th)
Zane Smith has participated in the Daytona 500 twice, finishing 13th on both occasions. With two truck victories at Daytona under his belt, he possesses drafting skills, but recent repairs to his car may hinder his performance.
38. Josh Berry (29th)
37. Ty Dillon (seventh)
Ty Dillon surprised many with a fast qualifying lap and a third-place finish in his duel. Returning to full-time Cup racing after a limited 2024 season, he aims to replicate Kaulig Racing’s previous success at Daytona.
36. Cole Custer (30th)
Cole Custer returns to the Cup Series after a successful stint in Xfinity. With a best Daytona 500 finish of 11th, he faced setbacks during qualifying, including a last-lap crash that forced major repairs.
35. Riley Herbst (24th)
Riley Herbst, a Cup rookie, has experience from the 2023 and 2024 Daytona 500s. However, he will race in a backup car due to damage sustained in his qualifying race.
34. Justin Haley (35th)
Justin Haley, racing with new crew chief Rodney Childers, aims to leverage his drafting skills. He previously won at Daytona through strategic pit decisions, but he will start in a backup car after a recent crash.
33. Corey LaJoie (12th)
Corey LaJoie secured a spot in the Daytona 500 with a non-chartered Rick Ware Racing car, showcasing his drafting abilities. He finished fourth in last year’s race, indicating his potential.
32. Noah Gragson (32nd)
Noah Gragson returns with his previous crew chief and aims for a strong performance in his fourth Daytona start. Having finished ninth last year, he hopes for another top-10 finish.
31. John Hunter Nemechek (18th)
John Hunter Nemechek enters his third full-time Cup season, hoping for a turnaround after a challenging previous year. He has consistently finished in the top 15 during his Daytona appearances.
30. Shane Van Gisbergen (26th)
Shane Van Gisbergen makes his Daytona 500 debut after a solid performance in his previous race. He will race a backup car due to damage from a crash in his qualifying race.
29. Ryan Preece (27th)
Ryan Preece joins RFK Racing after Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure, aiming for his first Cup victory. Known for his fearless approach, he hopes to create memorable moments at Daytona.
28. Todd Gilliland (14th)
Todd Gilliland will race without his crew chief, who was ejected for a technical violation. Despite this setback, he hopes to overcome his previous Daytona struggles.
27. Daniel Suarez (36th)
Daniel Suarez has had mixed results at Daytona, with a seventh-place finish last year. He will race in a backup car after an accident in his qualifying race.
26. Jimmie Johnson (40th)
Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup champion and two-time Daytona 500 winner, makes his 22nd start in this race. He aims to capitalize on his limited schedule this year.
25. Justin Allgaier (19th)
Justin Allgaier makes his Cup Series debut for JR Motorsports, having qualified through a last-lap move. This underdog status may fuel his drive.
24. Carson Hocevar (33rd)
Carson Hocevar, the 2024 Cup Rookie of the Year, looks to improve on his disappointing 40th place finish from last year’s Daytona 500.
23. Ty Gibbs (23rd)
Ty Gibbs seeks his first career Cup win under new crew chief Tyler Allen. After finishing 17th and 25th in his previous Daytona 500 starts, he hopes for a better outcome this time.
22. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (31st)
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the 2023 Daytona 500 winner, returns with a strong record on superspeedways. He looks to capitalize on his recent success under a new team name.
21. Alex Bowman (38th)
Alex Bowman, known for his strong Daytona performances, faces a setback starting from the back in a backup car. His previous top finishes signal potential for a comeback.
20. Christopher Bell (20th)
19. Ross Chastain (ninth)
Ross Chastain enters with a mixed 2024 season. He needs to prove himself after a solid performance last year, where he was in contention late in the race.
18. AJ Allmendinger (13th)
AJ Allmendinger, a seasoned Daytona veteran, has consistently finished in the top 10 in his last four starts. His experience could play a critical role in this year’s race.
17. Martin Truex Jr (39th)
Martin Truex Jr. returns to the Daytona 500 after stepping back from full-time racing. He aims to make a strong impression in his 21st start.
16. Kyle Busch (21st)
Kyle Busch, a two-time Daytona 500 participant, seeks his first victory at this iconic race. His long winless streak adds pressure as he approaches his 20th start.
15. Kyle Larson (22nd)
Kyle Larson has faced challenges at superspeedways, never finishing in the top five at Daytona. However, his past near-wins keep fans hopeful for a breakthrough.
14. Austin Dillon (15th)
Austin Dillon, a former Daytona 500 champion, showcases speed with a new crew chief. His past success at Daytona could bode well for a strong performance.
13. Chase Briscoe (first)
Chase Briscoe captured the pole in his debut with Toyota, marking a significant moment for the manufacturer. His strong start may set the tone for his race.
12. Erik Jones (fourth)
Erik Jones, recalling his past success at Daytona, aims to improve on his previous year’s performance. His new crew chief may provide a fresh perspective.
11. Tyler Reddick (11th)
Tyler Reddick seeks redemption after a series of disappointing finishes at Daytona. His talent suggests he can turn things around this year.
10. Michael McDowell (25th)
Michael McDowell, the 2021 Daytona 500 champion, aims for another strong finish with Spire Motorsports after moving from Front Row Motorsports.
9. Ryan Blaney (16th)
Ryan Blaney has finished as runner-up in two previous Daytona 500s. His recent struggles, however, raise questions about his chances this year.
8. Chase Elliott (17th)
Chase Elliott, fresh off a win at the Clash, looks strong heading into the Daytona 500. His long-standing relationship with his crew chief may enhance their performance.
7. Chris Buescher (sixth)
Chris Buescher, the August 2023 Cup race winner at Daytona, enters with confidence. His solid track record may benefit him in the race.
6. Brad Keselowski (34th)
Brad Keselowski aims for his first Daytona 500 victory in his 16th attempt. He has faced challenges but remains a formidable competitor in the draft.
5. William Byron (fifth)
William Byron, the defending Daytona 500 champion, aims to carry momentum from his recent performances into this year’s race.
4. Austin Cindric (second)
Austin Cindric starts on the front row after winning his qualifying race. His previous success at Daytona makes him a strong contender.
3. Denny Hamlin (eighth)
2. Bubba Wallace (third)
Bubba Wallace, having won his qualifying race, exudes confidence. With two second-place finishes in the Daytona 500, he knows what it takes to compete at the front.
1. Joey Logano (10th)
Joey Logano, the defending Cup champion, looks to repeat his past success at Daytona. Having previously won this race, he aims to harness his experience and skill for another victory.
