This is all the foremost storylines you must control in the course of the 68th operating of the Daytona 500:
Brad Keselowski manages a leg harm
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Ford
Photograph by: Patrick McDermott through Getty Photos
The 42-year-old broke his femur in the course of the low season, and arrived to Daytona with a strolling cane. Whereas there may be nonetheless ache, he has each intention of operating all 500 miles on Sunday. Nevertheless, David Ragan is on standby…simply in case.
Pole-sitter Kyle Busch and the one trophy lacking from his case
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Photos
It looks like we are saying this each season at Daytona, however is it lastly KB’s yr? He’s going through the longest winless streak of his profession, however earlier than this drought, Busch managed to win nearly all the things there may be to win in NASCAR — besides the five hundred. He’s 0-20 in NASCAR’s greatest race, and he now hopes to be the primary pole-sitter to win the occasion in 26 years.
Can Byron make historical past with the three-peat?
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Photos
Solely 5 drivers have ever received back-to-back Daytona 500s, however nobody has ever received three in succession. However that is the unprecedented achievement sitting in entrance of Byron, who will begin thirty ninth in a backup automobile after wrecking in his Duel qualifying race. Of the opposite 4 drivers who had a shot on the three-peat, Hamlin did one of the best, ending fifth.
The Daytona 500 debut of Heim and Zilisch
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
NASCAR’s two greatest rising stars are operating the five hundred for the very first time of their careers, and it will not be onerous to identify them on observe — Zilisch in these iconic Crimson Bull colours, and Heim in his neon yellow No. 67 machine. Each are hoping to go away their mark on Sunday, and for Zilisch, it is the beginning of his first full season of Cup Collection competitors.
The added significance of stage factors
NASCAR Cup Collection hauler
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
The Chase is again whereas win and also you’re in is gone. Meaning factors are extra essential than they have been in over a decade, and the struggle for stage factors simply obtained much more intense. Regulate these remaining laps in Stage 1 and Stage 2, as they’re prone to be practically as wild because the end.
Gasoline-saving within the pack, and hassle at pit entry
Todd Gilliland, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Photograph by: Kevin C. Cox through Getty Photos
Similar to latest years, you possibly can count on numerous fuel-saving all through the race. Drivers and followers do not prefer it, nevertheless it’s essential to win a contemporary Daytona 500. The sector will probably fan out three-wide within the early laps, however will probably be very managed as they fastidiously handle their gasoline mileage. Additionally, there’s the very actual hazard of the primary incidents of the race breaking out at pit entry, as diving from the pack to pit street has led to numerous wrecks over time — together with earlier this week within the Duels.
The underdogs made it, now what?
Casey Mears after making the Daytona 500
Photograph by: Kevin C. Cox through Getty Photos
Casey Mears and BJ McLeod beat the chances — they’re within the Daytona 500. Mears’ workforce spent days fixing his torn up race automobile, whereas McLeod picked up a sponsor after his unlikely journey into the sector. However now the actual work begins. Being within the race is its personal victory, however they did not come right here to complete final. It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if both of those two could make some noise within the 68th operating of NASCAR’s greatest race.
Menace of climate derailing the race
Daytona 500 brand
Photograph by: Chris Graythen – Getty Photos
An unlucky storyline includes Mom Nature. Storms are approaching, and NASCAR already pushed up the beginning time by an hour. It will likely be a race towards time, as the five hundred has been postponed to Monday a number of instances lately. It has been rain-shortened 4 instances earlier than as effectively, however that hasn’t occurred since 2009. Look ahead to NASCAR to expedite warning intervals and for drivers to race much more aggressively as soon as the race reaches the midway level. Oh, and there is concern concerning the anticipated hotter temperatures and the dealing with points it might trigger all through the sector, so one other weather-related angle to look at carefully.
Unknowns round new Chevrolet physique
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Chevy has a brand new, sleeker design for the 2026 season. And whereas there’s loads to debate regarding the upgrades, the principle story on Sunday can be about how good it may possibly push. Each main wreck within the Duels got here off the nostril of a Chevy, and different drivers could also be cautious about them due to that.
Producer loyalty
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Austin Cindric, Group Penske Ford
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photos
Toyotas, Fords, and Chevys will hold to their very own for essentially the most half throughout green-flag pit stops, and as they navigate the pack to get the upperhand on their rivals. Nevertheless, these loyalties are at all times examined and alliances crumble within the closing laps of NASCAR’s greatest race.
Can Preece carry Conflict momentum into the five hundred, and keep on the bottom?
Conflict winner Ryan Preece, RFK Racing Ford
Photograph by: Jonathan Bachman – Getty Photos
Ryan Preece has 223 begins within the Cup Collection, however zero wins. Nevertheless, he additionally simply received the pre-season exhibition race at Bowman Grey in an emotional triumph for the previous Modified Tour champion. He has had a busy week, racing in New Smyrna earlier than heading to Daytona, the place he led the best way in Daytona 500 follow. Possibly he can get that first official win in NASCAR’s greatest race, however he’ll probably be completely happy to go away with out withdrawing, as Preece has suffered two violent airborne wrecks at Daytona within the final three years alone. The excellent news is that the brand new flaps on the A-pillar seem like working effectively in limiting air time for Subsequent Gen automobiles.
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