1
Joe Gibbs Racing
Got caught up in a wreck that put him out of the Sprint Unlimited but nearly landed a spot on the front row for the Daytona 500. Don’t be surprised if the No. 18 wins one of the Can-Am Duels.
-1
Daytona 500 qualifying time disallowed for failing post-qual. inspection. Not an amazing start for the 2014 champ.
The runner-up in the Sprint Unlimited. The reigning Daytona 500 champ. A repeat is looking quite possible.
-1
Hendrick Motorsports
Johnson rarely does well in the Sprint Unlimited. It’s OK with him, however, since he’s gunning for Sunday. And his car is fast.
3
Joe Gibbs Racing
Your Sprint Unlimited winner, ladies and gents. A first 500 win for Hamlin would do wonders for the No. 11 driver, whose year certainly could be 2016.
0
Hendrick Motorsports
Earnhardt was bummed he just barely missed out on the Daytona 500 front row, but he’s arguably still the best plate racer in the sport. He’ll be strong Sunday.
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Kenseth will be starting on the front row alongside Chase Elliott, who is less than half his age. We’ll see how experience plays out there from the green flag.
-3
Team Penske
Barely a top-10 finish in the Unlimited — almost by default, given all the wrecks; though he did lead 26 laps — and a subpar showing in qualifying. Started 39th and finished 41st last year, too.
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Finished seventh in the Unlimited and wasn’t one of the SHR cars to fail post-500 qualifying inspection. Success!
The No. 78 team had all offseason to ensure its roof flaps complied with NASCAR rules. They did not.
Chase Elliott may be getting all the headlines right now, but Larson is the young gun who may have a better shot in the 500 itself after a top-four finish in the Unlimited.
-1
All four JGR cars put up top-10 qualifying speeds on Sunday. Edwards has an excellent shot in the 500.
3
Hendrick Motorsports
Elliott is on the pole in his first Daytona 500. Need I say more?
-1
Kasey’s No. 5 Chevrolet hasn’t looked entirely dominant thus far at Speedweeks. Still time for he and crew chief Keith Rodden to change that, but serious gains need to be made.
McMurray was the second-to-last running car to finish the Sprint Unlimited. But hey, at least he finished.
-1
Newman was one of 10 cars wrecked out of a 25-car field in the Unlimited. Knocking the rust off or just overall aggression for everyone?
0
Richard Childress Racing
While he was unable to match his 2014 feat of winning the Daytona 500 pole, Dillon is quickly establishing himself as a possible plate expert.
Considering he only had four total top-10s in 2015, Biffle’s top-10 finish in the Sprint Unlimited could be a sign of good things to come.
Solid start to 2016 for Menard, who placed third in the Sprint Unlimited. Will he back it up in the 500?
Showed he has a fast car in 500 qualifying — 7th — plus, the Wood Brothers have a recent history of making some noise in this race (see Bayne, Trevor.)