Daytona 500: Row-by-row preview

The biggest race of the NASCAR season is here.

There are 40 drivers set to walk the grid this afternoon believing they can and will win the Daytona 500 but only one will see that come true. And whoever does will not just be a race winner, but forever a Daytona 500 champion. There is no other race like it, and the pressure and excitement of being in Daytona have not washed away with the rain.

Daytona is an attraction for casual and diehard fans, and the most important thing to know is the field is stacked with talent. It could make for one of the most competitive Daytona 500 events in recent history.

Here is a row-by-row look at the competitors. The green flag is 4:30 p.m. ET.

ROW 1

Driver: Joey Logano

2015 Daytona 500 champion

Car: No. 22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: Team Penske

What you should know: Logano is one of the best superspeedway racers in NASCAR and isn’t afraid to go for what someone else might consider an aggressive move. He can usually do what he wants with his car, either controlling lanes from the front of the field or as a good pusher.

Driver: Michael McDowell

2021 Daytona 500 champion

Car: No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: Front Row Motorsports

What you should know: McDowell has had a really fast and comfortable Ford Mustang this week and drafts well with others. Experience will keep McDowell aware of the energy around him to help his chances of making it to the end of the race.

ROW 2

Driver: Tyler Reddick

Car: No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: 23XI Racing

What you should know: Won his Duel race Thursday night with perfect execution on the last lap to go from fifth to first. Reddick does not have a superspeedway win in the Cup Series, but that seems more to do with being in the wrong place at the wrong time than not knowing how to get the job done.

Driver: Christopher Bell

Car: No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

What you should know: Bell got the best of his teammate, Denny Hamlin, who is one of the best superspeedway racers in the business, in his Duel race. There is a lot of speed in Bell’s car and confidence in his camp to win a race in which many probably won’t have him listed as a favorite.

ROW 3

Driver: Chase Elliott

Car: No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

What you should know: There have been opportunities for Elliott to win the sport’s biggest race, but the gates to victory lane haven’t opened. Elliott has performed well in the Daytona 500 with a second-place finish in 2021 and 72 laps led in eight starts, but there always seems to be something that stands in his way of closing the deal.

Driver: Austin Cindric

2022 Daytona 500 champion

Car: No. 2 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: Team Penske

What you should know: Performs well in the draft and is fearless when it comes to making moves (just ask teammate Harrison Burton about the last lap of their Duel race). Cindric will have the speed and confidence to make a run at the front.

ROW 4

Driver: Alex Bowman

Car: No. 48 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

What you should know: Bowman runs well but struggles to finish strong. In seven Daytona 500 starts, Bowman has one top-10 finish.

Driver: Denny Hamlin

2016, 2019, 2020 Daytona 500 champion

Car: No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

What you should know: One of the favorites to win the Daytona 500. Hamlin is one of the best at using the draft and being in position at the end of the race. His strong performance in his Duel race was no surprise, but more of a preview of what’s to come.

ROW 5

Driver: Carson Hocevar

Daytona 500 rookie

Car: No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Spire Motorsports

What you need to know: There are no expectations for Hocevar, who begins his rookie season on Monday. But in his short tenure in the Cup Series last year, Hocevar adapted well and punched about his weight class. Hocevar has kept his nose clean all week in Daytona.

Driver: John Hunter Nemechek

Car: No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: Legacy Motor Club

What you need to know: Nemechek is getting a second chance at the Cup Series and is more prepared for the challenge. He plays well with others on superspeedways and is likely to stick to his Toyota teammates if given the chance instead of being someone making bold and aggressive moves on his own.

ROW 6

Driver: Erik Jones

Car: No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: Legacy Motor Club

What you need to know: Jones is a former Daytona winner, but not in its biggest race. The car has looked solid in its Duel and practice, and Jones is a smart superspeedway racer.

Driver: Harrison Burton

Car: No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: Wood Brothers Racing

What you need to know: Not one to get himself in trouble, Burton can be a longshot if he makes it to the end with his Ford teammates. If nothing else, Daytona could be a solid start to the season for Burton and his team.

ROW 7

Driver: Daniel Suarez

Car: No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Trackhouse Racing

What you need to know: The Daytona 500 has been no bueno to Suarez. In his six starts, he’s been running at the finish only twice for an average finish of 26.6.

Driver: Zane Smith

Car: No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Spire Motorsports

What you need to know: Has a ton of talent and the opportunity for a solid first year in the Cup Series. Smith is a former Daytona winner in the Truck Series who is a quiet, clean, and smart racer.

Smith (No.71) has previous form at Daytona in Trucks, and will be looking to make an impact with Spire in the main show. Gavin Baker/Motorsport Images

ROW 8

Driver: Ty Gibbs

Car: No. 54 Toyota Camry XSE

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

What you need to know: Gibbs has the talent and the speed to get the job done. He’s comfortable running at the front leading the pack and working with his teammates when in the draft.

Driver: Brad Keselowski

Car: No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: RFK Racing

What you need to know: Keselowski has done everything but win the Daytona 500 and is long overdue to make it happen. It won’t be a matter of speed or skill, but fortune for Keselowski who once again has a fast Ford Mustang and no loss of confidence to perform.

ROW 9

Driver: Kyle Larson

Car: No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

What you need to know: Larson does not have a superspeedway win on his resume and continues to work on his craft to be in the right position when it matters most. His car will have speed, it’s a matter of Larson’s decision-making.

Driver: William Byron

Car: No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

What you need to know: Just wants some Daytona 500 luck. In six starts, Byron has finished no better than 21st.

ROW 10

Driver: Chris Buescher

Car: No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Team: RFK Racing

What you need to know: Buescher won the most recent race at Daytona back in August. Having a fast Ford and a good head on his shoulders make him a player.

Driver: Chase Briscoe

Car: No. 14 Ford Mustang Dark Horse