The big day has finally arrived at Daytona International Speedway!
But before the drivers hit the high banks of the two and a half mile track, Country music star Luke Combs entertains a packed house of race fans. This year there is not an empty seat, infield spot, or RV available.
The 64th annual Daytona 500 is a historic event not just because it is the first major race in a new car; but it is the first time in history that the track director is a man of colour and four of the teams in the race have men of colour and one Latin owner.
Several of the drivers in today’s race would also like it to be a historic day for them winning their first Daytona 500.
During the Duel races on Thursday night, Joey Logano wrecked his car on the last lap and had to move to a backup car. Logano will have to start the race from the back of the field.
One of the oldest drivers in the race, Jacques Villeneuve will have to move to the back of the field after the crew made an engine change after the Duel races.
On Friday, NASCAR confiscated the tires from Team Penske and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing over an issue that the racing teams call a safety issue. The tires were sent to the NASCAR R&D Center in North Carolina. If there are any penalties, they will be announced once the investigation is completed.
Two drivers will find themselves starting the race from the back of the field after failing the pre-race inspection process.
The number 16 Kaulig Racing car driven by Daniel Hemric failed inspection three times; as a result, he will not only have to start the race from the back of the field, but have to serve a pass through penalty – driving down pit lane at pit road speed – once the race begins and lose car chief JD Frey.
The number 14 Stewart-Haas Racing car driven by Chase Briscoe also failed inspection and will also lose crew member George Spencer for the race in addition to starting the race from the back of the field.
The starting lineup for the Daytona 500:
Kyle Larson
Alex Bowman
Brad Keselowski
Chris Buescher
Austin Cindric
Michael McDowell
Ryan Blaney
Harrison Burton
Chase Briscoe – moved to the back of the field
Kyle Busch
Chase Elliott
Christopher Bell
Erik Jones
Martin Truex Jr
Tyler Reddick
Bubba Wallace
Kurt Busch
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ross Chastain
Joey Logano – moved to the back of the field
Daniel Suarez
Kevin Harvick
William Byron
Corey LaJoie
Justin Haley
Ty Dillon
Landon Cassill
Greg Biffle
Todd Gilliland
Denny Hamlin
Cole Custer
Cody Ware
Daniel Hemric – moved to the back of the field
David Ragan
Kaz Grala
Austin Dillon
BJ McLeod
Aric Almirola
Noah Gragson
Jacques Villeneuve
Stages one and two of the race are 65 laps in length with stage three lasting 70 laps for a total of 200 laps. The drivers cannot complete any of the stages on a single load of fuel and will have to make at least one pit stop.
Tony Stewart joins Mike Joy and Clint Bowyer in the broadcast booth. Stewart is a three time Cup Series champion and has won 19 races at Daytona – second only to Dale Earnhardt Sr in wins – but none of them was the 500. Stewart said that he would trade all 19 of his Daytona wins for a 500 win.
NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson is the grand marshall for the race and will give the command. And a rousing command it was too.
Pole sitter Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of the race from the outside lane and edges out team mate Alex Bowman for the lead.
Coming up from the outside lane, Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Larson for the lead to lead lap one.
The top five are Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch.
Lap three, Leaders get single file on the outside lane with Brad Keselowski leading the way.
Lap five, Brad Keselowski continues to lead ther ace with Austin Cindric in second; Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
Harrison Burton in the number 21 car leads the pack on the inside lane and is getting a push from Chase Elliott.
Lap seven, some of the drivers in the outside lane move down to the inside lane.
Lap eight, leading the inside lane, Kyle Busch leads the race with Brad Keselowski leading the outside lane.
Lap nine, Brad Keselowski gets back in front for the lead.
Lap 10, the top five are Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Daniel Hemric goes one lap down.
Lap 15, Brad Keselowski holds on to the lead with Austin Cindric in second; Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse jr round out the top five. There are 38 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 17, after starting the race from the back of the field, Joey Logano has moved up to 18th place.
Lap 18, the top 12 cars are single file in the outside lane.
Lap 19, Brad Keselowski continues to lead the race with Austin Cindric in second.
Lap 23, Brad Keselowski holds on to the lead from the outside lane; Austin Cindric, Chris Buescher, Michael McDowell, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr round out the top five. So far, Keselowski has led 22 or the 23 laps run.
After starting the race in 30th place, Denny Hamlin has moved up to 15th place.
Lap 26, the inside lane has caught up to the outside lane and is challenging for the lead with Kyle Busch in front of the pack.
Lap 28, Kyle Busch passes Brad Keselowski for the lead briefly.
Lap 30, Kyle Busch has retaken the lead with Brad Keselowski in second; Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Lap 31 Brad Keselowski retakes the lead as he and Kyle Busch swap the lead back and forth.
Lap 32, Kyle Busch is now the leader.
Lap 32, Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Busch for the lead and brings Austin Cindric with him.
Lap 33, Kyle Busch retakes the lead with Christopher Bell in second; Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
With pit stops approaching, the outside lane is blocked out of moving down to the inside lane on their way to pit road.
Lap 36, the top eight drivers are single file on the inside lane.
The hood flap has come off of Christopher Bell’s car. It is one of the mandatory parts of the car and will have to be repaired.
Lap 38, drivers begin green flag pit stops.
With the new single hub wheel, teams are having to wait on the fuel before leaving pit road. Many of the teams took only two tires.
Jacques Villeneuve spins out coming down pit road but saves the cars.
Ty Dillon was caught speeding on pit road.
Lap 40, Joey Logano is the leader after pit stops.
The first caution flag comes out on lap 42 when Kaz Grala’s car looses a wheel. Grala noted that he was in trouble when he saw the wheel pass him by. FOX broadcaster Mike Joy reports that the loss of a tire is a major infraction that will result in a four race suspension for the crew chief plus two crew members.
Chris Buescher spins out coming to the caution but doesn’t hit anything.
A few drivers came down pit road for service during the caution.
Kyle Busch brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 46 and edges out Joey Logano for the lead.
Lap 47, the top five are Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Harrison Burton, and Martin Truex Jr.
Kyle Busch retakes the lead with Joey Logano in second.
Lap 50, Kyle Busch leads the race from the inside lane with Denny Hamlin in second; Christopher Bell, William Byron, and Joey Logano round out the top five.
The second caution of the race comes out on lap 52 for a broken wheel on Justin Haley’s car.
Justin Haley has an extended stop on pit road for possible suspension damage after losing a wheel.
Ryan Blaney’s crew is having issues fitting the tires.
Kyle Busch brings the field down for the green flag restart with nine laps remaining in stage one. Kyle Busch leads the race with Denny Hamlin in second; William Byron, Christopher Bell, and Joey Logano round out the top five.
Lap 58, Kyle Busch leads the race but William Bryon is coming up on the outside lane to take the lead.
Lap 59, Harrison Burtin comes from the outside lane to take the lead. Martin Truex Jr gives Burton a push to the lead.
Lap 60, Martin Truex Jr jumps down to the inside lane to take the lead briefly.
Lap 61, Harrison Burton and Martin Truex Jr battle for the lead.
Lap 61, Martin Truex J leads the race with Harrison Burton in second; Brad Keselowski, William Byron, and Kyle Busch round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out for a crash at the front of the pack involving William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Christopher Bell, Kyle Busch, Harrison Burton, Denny Hamlin, Ross Chastain, and Alex Bowman on lap 63. Harrison Burton ended up on his roof briefly before landing back on all four wheels. William Byron hit the inside wall hard.
Stage one ends under caution with Martin Truex Jr winning the stage.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Martin Truex Jr
Brad Keselowski
Todd Gilliland
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Joey Logano
Austin Dillon
Kurt Busch
Erik Jones
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Denny Hamlin takes his car to the garage.
Harrison Burton is out of the race. After being checked at the infield care center, he is fine.
Kurt Busch has taken his car to pit road for repairs.
Once pit road is open, the drivers bring their cars down pit road for service.
Christopher Bell also ended up hitting the wall.
After the crash Denny Hamlin, Harrison Burton, Ross Chastain, and William Byron are out of the race.
Erik Jones brings the field down for the green flag start of the race on lap 72 and tkes the lead.
Christopher Bell says that everything in the rear of the car is broken and doesn’t know whether he can make minimum speed.
Lap 73, Ryan Blaney takes the elad; Austin Cindric, Erik Jones, Chris Buescher, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Greg Biffle is off the track.
This is the first time in 17 Daytona 500 races that Denny Hamlin has failed to finish the race.
Lap 76, Christopher Bell has taken his car to the garage with suspension issues and is out of the race.
Lap 77, Ryan Blaney leads the race with Austin Cindric in second; Chris Buescher, Erik Jones, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr round out the top five.
Lap 83, the ovals lead the pack with Ryan Blaney leading the way, Austin Cindric, Chris Buescher, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lap 89, Ryan Blaney holds on to the lead with Austin Cindric in second with 34 cars on the lead lap. Greg Biffle returns to the track after repairing a fuel line and is 60 laps down.
Lap 92, the top five are Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Chris Buescher, Kevin Harvick, and Brad Keselowski.
Lap 100, halfway, Ryan Blaney continues to lead the race with Austin Cindric in second and Chris Buescher in third.
Lap 102, the drivers are single file through the field.
Lap 103, Ryan Blaney has led 31 laps so far.
Lap 103, drivers begin coming down pit road for green flag pit stops.
Lap 106, the top eight cars are Fords with Ryan Blaney leading the way.
Lap 109, most of the remainder of the drivers come down pit road for their pit stops. Chase Briscoe missed his pit box coming down pit road.
Lap 110, the final green flag pit stops for stage two come down pit road and has to back up to get service. Chase Elliott gets stalled on pit road.
Daniel Suarez was caught speeding on pit road.
Lap 110 Brad Keselowski takes the elad with Chris Buescher in second; Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, and Todd Gilliland.
Lapa 118, drivers are getting three wide across the track.
Lap 120, Brad Keselowski leads the race with team mate Chris Buescher in second; Ryan Blaney, Kevin Harvick, and Todd Gilliland round out the top five.
With just seven laps remaining in stage two, Bard Keselowski holds on to the lead with Kyle Larson in second; Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Joey Logano, and Martin Treux Jr round out the top five.
Lap 125, Kyle Larson takes the lead.
Lap 126, Brad Keselowski retakes the lead with Joey Logano in second.
Lap 129, drivers get three wide in a battle for the lead as stage two approaches the end.
Lap 130, Joey Logano takes the lerad.
Martin Truex Jr comes from second place to win stage two for the stage sweep.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Martin Truex Jr
Joey Logano/
Bubba Wallace
Brad Keselowski
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Austin Cindric
Chris Buescher
Kevin Harvick
Kyle Larson
Todd Gilliland
After pit road opens, Martin Truex Jr brings the field down pit road for service. Brad Keselowski wins the race off of pit road.
Some of the drivers make a second trip down pit road to top off on fuel.
Brad Keselowski brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 138 from the outside lane. Keselowski gest out in front for the lead with Austin Cindric in second; Bubba Wallace, Kevin Harvick, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Michael McDowell was caught speeding on pit road.
Lap 140, there are 22 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 141, Brad Keselowski leads the race with Austin Cindric in second and Bubba Wallace in third.
Lap 146, Brad Keselowski continues to lead the race with rookie Austin Cindric in second; Bubba Wallace, Erik Jones, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Fifty to go, Brad Keselowski is out in front, he has led 62 laps so far.
Lap 151, the caution flag comes out for a big crash that incoves Joey Logano, Jacques Villeneuve, Tyler Reddick, Kurt Busch, and Martin Truex Jr. Tyler Reddick has damage to both ends of his car. Kurt Busch and Joey Logano made a run through the grass.
Joey Logano is stuck on the track with two flat right side tires. Logano eventually makes it to pit road for fresh tires.
David Ragan threaded the needle to avoid any damage.
Drivers can run 38 to 42 laps on a single load of fuel; there are 45 laps remaining in the race. Drivers who come down pit road may be able to make it to the end of the race if they get the fuel cell packed.
Tyler Reddick takes his car to the garage.
Pit road is open and drivers come down pit road for service.
Kyle Larson gets stalled on pit road but gets the car moving again.
Austin Cindric brings the field down for the green flag restart with just 41 laps remaining in the race. Cindric and Bubba Wallace go side by side before Ryan Blaney puts Cindric out in front with a push.
Forty to go, the top five are Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace.
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According to broadcaster Mike Joy there are Fords on the bottom, Toyotas on the top, and Chevrolets whereever you can find them.
With 37 laps remaining in the race Bubba Wallace takes the lead with Austin Cindric in second.
Austin Cindric retakes the lead; putting Bubba Wallace in second; Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr rounding out the top five.
Thirty-six to go, Bubba Wallace has the lead with Kyle Busch in second and Austin Cindric in third.
Thirty five to go, Kyle Busch takes the lead briefly before Bubba gets back out in front.
With 34 laps to go, Austin Cindric takes the lead with Bubba Wallace in second; Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr rounding out the top five.
Thirty-two laps to go, Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric continue to swap the lead back and forth.
There are 30 laps remaining in the race; Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric continue to swap the lead back and forth with Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, and Brad Keselowski rounding out the top five.
There are 23 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 172, Austin Cindric leads the race with Ryan Blaney in second; Erik Jones, Brad Keselowski, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
One of the roof flaps on Kyle Busch’s car has come loose and is flapping around.
Lap 174, Bubba Wallace has come back up to lead the outside lane and is battling with Austin Cindric for the lead.
Lap 175, Bubba Wallace and Kyle Busch get a big push and jump out in front before moving down to the bottom lane.
Lap 177, Ricky Stenhouse Jr comes up from the outside to battle with Bubba Wallace for the lead. Stenhouse’s car is own by JGTDaugherty – Brad Daughterty was an NBA player – and Michael Jordon – an NBA player.
Lap 178, Bubba Wallace retakes the lead with Kyle Busch in second.
Twenty to go, Ricky Stenhouse Jr takes the lead with Chris Buescher in second.
There are 18 laps remaining in the race; Ricky Stenhouse Jr leads the race with Chris Buescher in second; Kyle Larson, Todd Gilliland, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Fifteen to go, Ricky Stenhouse Jr leads the race with Chris Buescher in second.
Lap 188, Ricky Stenhouse Jr holds on to the lead with Chris Buescher in second; Kevin Harvick, Austin Cindric, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Eleven to go, drivers are starting to make moves for position. Big crash brings out the caution flag involving Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, Noah Gragson, Erik Jones, Chase Elliott, and Todd Gilliland.
NASCAR has red flagged the race to get the debris field cleaned up.
Once NASCAR has pulled the red flag and displayed the caution, the drivers get moving and the teams can begin making repairs.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with just six laps remaining in the race. Austin Cindric edges out for the lead with team mate Ryan Blaney giving him a push. Ricky Stenhouse Jr gets a push from Brad Keselowski.
The cauitn flag comes out for a crash on lap 196 involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr who hits the wall, Bubba Wallace, and Chris Buescvher. It all began with a push form Brad Keselowski.
The race will go into overtime.
Austin Cindric is the lead with team mate Ryan Blaney alongside.
Austin Cindric brings the field down for the green flag two lap overtime shootout with Austin Cindric getting out in front for the lead. Brad Keselowski has some help on the outside lane and is making a push for the lead.
Austin Cindric takes the white flag.
Ryan Blaney pushes leader Austin Cindric while Chase Briscoe tries to push Brad Keselowski the lead.
Drivers crash crossing the finish line with rookie driver Austin Cindric just edging out Bubba Wallace the win. What a birthday present for car owner Roger Penske. This is Penske’s fifth Daytona 500 win.
The unofficial results of the Daytona 500:
Austin Cindric
Bubba Wallace
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Blaney
Aric Almirola
Kyle Busch
Michael McDowell
David Ragan
Brad Keselowski
Chase Elliott
Ty Dillon
Daniel Hemric
Martin Truex Jr
Corey LaJoie
Landon Cassill
Chris Buescher
Cody Ware
Daniel Suarez
Kurt Busch
Cole Custer
Joey Logano
Jacques Villeneuve
Justin Haley
Alex Bowman
Austin Dillon
Kaz Grala
BJ McLeod
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Erik Jones
Kevin Harvick
Noah Gragson
Kyle Larson
Todd Gilliland
Christopher Bell
Tyler Reddick
Greg Biffle
Denny Hamlin
William Byron
Harrison Burton
Ross Chastain