Posted on by Staff Report

The “Big One” stayed away for the first 180 laps of the 2020 Daytona 500 before rearing its head on Lap 181 in a major way with Brad Keselowski getting turned into the wall and collecting a host of contenders.

Keselowski appeared to get into the wall after getting loose from a push by Aric Almirola and Joey Logano. Almirola also suffered significant damage in an incident that appeared to collect nearly half the 40-car field.

PHOTOS: See scenes from the 2020 Daytona 500 | Byron’s day comes to an end in Stage 1

“It was just one of those racing deals,” Keselowski said. “…Unfortunately, it didn’t come together there at the end. I probably made a little bit of a bad move not blocking the 6 and 95. I didn’t know the 95 was that darn fast. He pushed the 6 like a rocket and I didn’t think they would come with

that big of a run and when they did, I didn’t cover it. I put myself into a position where when they did wreck, I couldn’t make it through.”

Among the other cars unofficially involved in the wreck: Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr., Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, Tyler Reddick, Matt DiBenedetto, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, Kurt Busch, Justin Haley, Ryan Blaney, Ty Dillon, Chris Buescher, Brendan Gaughan and John Hunter Nemechek.

Truex and Johnson were unable to head back out after not completing work in time under the damaged vehicle policy.

Posted on by Staff Report

Reigning Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin held control of the lead for much of Stage 2 en route to securing his first stage win of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season at the Daytona 500. Hamlin was one of three Joe Gibbs Racing cars in the top five (Kyle Busch in second and Martin Truex Jr. in fourth were the others) after the JGR fleet got shut out on stage points in the opening 65-lap run.

Hamlin, a two-time Daytona 500 winner, started at the rear of the field at the beginning of the race after his No. 11 Toyota failed pre-race inspection twice.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. came home third while Ross Chastain finished fifth in the stage. Kevin Harvick took on some damage from an incident involving Quin Houff and BJ McLeod on Lap 89.

Finish Driver Team Points
1 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs Racing 10
2 Kyle Busch Joe Gibbs Racing 9
3 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. JTG Daugherty Racing 8
4 Martin Truex Jr. Joe Gibbs Racing 7
5 Ross Chastain Spire Motorsports —
6 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports 5
7 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports 4
8 Ryan Blaney Team Penske 3
9 Joey Logano Team Penske 2
10 Chris Buescher Roush Fenway Racing 1

Elliott scores Stage 1 win 

Chase Elliott scored the Stage 1 win in two-lap shootout at the 2020 Daytona 500. The reigning NMPA Most Popular Driver led the last 22 laps of the stage as Hendrick Motorsports claimed three top-five spots in the stage.

Alex Bowman, who started second in the race, finished second in Stage 1 followed by Aric Almirola, Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson to complete the top five. Johnson overcame a pit-road penalty during a stop under caution for too many men over the wall.

William Byron went for a wild ride on the backstretch to bring out a Lap 58 caution that saw his day come to an early end with a lot of damage on his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. The incident came after what appeared to be slight contact on the left rear from Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Byron had won the Bluegreen Vacations Duel No. 2 on Thursday night and started the race in the fourth starting spot.

Stenhouse Jr., the Busch Pole Award winner, led the first 23 laps of the race and finished the stage seventh.

Stage 1 started on Sunday but got only 20 laps in before rain caused delays that ultimately moved the race to Monday.

Finish Driver Team Points
1 Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports 10
2 Alex Bowman Hendrick Motorsports 9
3 Aric Almirola Stewart-Haas Racing 8
4 Joey Logano Team Penske 7
5 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports 6
6 Ryan Blaney Team Penske 5
7 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. JTG Daugherty Racing 4
8 Matt DiBenedetto Wood Brothers Racing 3
9 Chris Buescher Roush Fenway Racing 2
10 Ty Dillon Germain Racing 1
Posted on by Staff Report

The Daytona 500 will resume at 4 p.m. ET today on FOX, one day removed from a delay brought on by inclement weather.

Because we know you have a racing itch that needs scratchin’, NASCAR.com will go live from the garage at Daytona International Speedway at 3 p.m. ET later today. Host Alex Weaver will take in the sights and sounds from the birthplace of speed — check out the action in the garage and talk to drivers about what to expect on the track today.

Check back at NASCAR.com for the full show, which also will air on our YouTube, Facebook and Twitter handles.

RELATED: Full Daytona 500 preview

Posted on by Staff Report

Which channels have NASCAR programming this week? We answer that and give the weekly NASCAR television listings here in the NASCAR TV schedule.

Note: All times are ET.

MORE: How to find NBCSN | Get the NBC Sports App | Get TrackPass | How to find FS1 | Get FOX Sports App 

Monday, Feb. 17
4 p.m., Daytona 500, FOX/FOX Sports App

On MRN
4 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500

Tuesday, Feb. 18
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App

On MRN
7 p.m., NASCAR Live

Wednesday, Feb. 19
5 p.m., Dale Jr. Download, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App
6 p.m., ARCA Racing Series: Daytona (re-air), NBCSN/NBC Sports App

On MRN
1 p.m., NASCAR Coast to Coast presented by Whelen

Thursday, Feb. 20
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBCSN/NBC Sports App
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FS1/FOX Sports App

Friday, Feb. 21
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice, FS2/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN App)
4 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series first practice, FS1/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN App)
5 p.m., NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series qualifying, FS1/FOX Sports App
7 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FS1/FOX Sports App
7:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series final practice, FS1/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN App)
8:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, FS1/FOX Sports App
9 p.m., NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Strat 200, FS1/FOX Sports App

On MRN
8:30 p.m., NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Strat 200

Saturday, Feb. 22
1:30 a.m., NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Strat 200 (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App
1 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying, FS1/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN App)
2 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FS1/FOX Sports App
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series qualifying, FS1/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN App)
3:30 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Xfinity, FS1/FOX Sports App
4 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300, FS1/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN3)

On PRN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300

Sunday, Feb. 23
6 a.m., NASCAR Xfinity Series Boyd Gaming 300 (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App
9 a.m., NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Strat 200 (re-air), FS1/FOX Sports App
2 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Cup Series, FS1/FOX Sports App
3 p.m., NASCAR RaceDay: Cup Series, FOX/FOX Sports App
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, FOX/FOX Sports App (Canada: TSN1)

On PRN
2:30 p.m., NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube

Posted on by Staff Report

The 62nd running of the Daytona 500 will resume at 4 p.m. ET on Monday from Daytona International Speedway (FOX, FOX Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Inclement weather forced the move after heavy rains came into the area in the late afternoon Sunday and persisted through the evening hours.

When the red flag waved Sunday, pole winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was still in the lead in the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet. Stenhouse led all 20 of the opening laps.

MORE: See current running order

Joey Logano, in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, was in second place, with Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five. When the race resumes, there will be 45 laps remaining in Stage 1 of the three-stage race.

This is the second time the Daytona 500 has been delayed until Monday because of weather. The first was in 2012.

RELATED: All-time race winners

Posted on by Staff Report

Rain in the Daytona Beach, Florida, area has delayed the 62nd annual Daytona 500 for the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway.

The field was able to complete 20 laps in Stage 1 before inclement weather moved over the 2.5-mile superspeedway at 4:36 p.m. ET.

RELATED: Live Daytona 500 leaderboard

Polesitter Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has led every circuit of the 200-lap race. Joey Logano is second, followed by Aric Almirola, Ryan Newman and Kevin Harvick to round out the top five.

A fleet of 18 Air Titans, 12 jet dryers, two vacuums and one sweeper are at the speedway for track-drying efforts.

NASCAR.com will continue to monitor the weather situation and provide further weather updates once they become available.

MORE: We rank every Daytona 500

This story will be updated.

Posted on by Zack Albert

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be back in the Sunshine State next month for his only scheduled NASCAR Xfinity Series start of the season at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But as the NASCAR season gets started this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, he admitted that the lure of competition remains as strong as ever.

“I really miss racing. I really miss driving, and it’s getting worse,” Earnhardt said before waving the green flag Sunday. “I thought as I got out of the car and the further I got from my full-time career, the less that would bother me, but it actually is getting worse for some reason. I really look forward to getting some seat time, smelling the smells and hearing the noises and just enjoying being in the car.”

Since retiring from his full-time role as a NASCAR Cup Series driver after the 2017 season, Earnhardt has participated in one Xfinity Series race each year with his JR Motorsports operation. He finished fourth at Richmond Raceway in 2018 and fifth at Darlington Raceway last year. This season, he’s set for a March 21 date at the 1.5-mile Homestead track.

RELATED: Xfinity Series 2020 schedule

Though there’s a pull from within to do more racing on a part-time basis, Earnhardt said he has no plans to add to his schedule.

“No, not really. I think it’s a healthy thing to miss it and want to do it,” Earnhardt said. “I think it helps me in the booth to have that energy as a fan. I think one’s plenty. Probably one’s more than I should be doing. I’ve got my wife and Isla and all that. I should devote as much as I can to them. One’s just perfect. I think that it really helps me remember what drivers are thinking about, so I’m going to get in that car, and as much as it’ll be about having fun, it’s also going to be about reminding myself about all the things that goes through a driver’s mind when he’s out there in car. So when I’m in the booth, I’m really able to explain and remember and recall some of the things that emotionally drivers are dealing with. It’s so helpful on that front.

“If anything, I’d love to maybe get an opportunity to test a Cup car, and I’ve talked to a couple teams when they’re out there testing about hopping in for a few laps.”

With his single race just more than a month away, Earnhardt admitted he’s anxious about his return to the wheel, which is likely to entail some brushes with the outside retaining wall in Homestead’s preferred high groove.

RELATED: Watch Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2004 Daytona 500 win

“That’s coming fast. Typically I have all year to sort of wait for it to happen,” Earnhardt said. “I’m nervous. I’ll be honest, I’m a little nervous. Being out of the car for a year, it’s kind of tough jumping back in there and getting right back into it and understanding exactly where the limits are. Luckily, we run right on the fence at Homestead and the limits are right there, so if I get into it, those cars are pretty tough, them little Xfinity cars. You can get in the wall a little bit and not have to worry too much about hurting your car.”

“I’m sure we’re going to tear the right side off that thing after practice, qualifying, through the race. I’m going to hit it several times, so I’m just going to go ahead and prepare myself for that. We might just show up and not even have decals on the right side, it’s probably a waste of time.”

Posted on by Staff Report

Reigning Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin dropped to the rear of the field after his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed pre-race inspection twice ahead of the Daytona 500 (which will resume Monday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Hamlin surrendered his 21st starting position for the race and dropped to the rear during pace laps. Car chief Eric Phillips has been ejected as part of the two inspection failures, per the NASCAR Rule Book.

RELATED: Lineup in photos

The No. 15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet of Brennan Poole also failed pre-race inspection twice. Poole was already starting from the rear due to an engine change. Car chief Mark Fordham was ejected.

Additionally, the No. 12 Team Penske Ford of Ryan Blaney (backup car), the No. 95 Leavine Family Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell (unapproved adjustments), the No. 13 Germain Racing Chevrolet of Ty Dillon (gear change), the No. 32 Go Fas Racing Ford of Corey LaJoie (backup car) and the No. 52 Rick Ware Racing Ford of B.J. McLeod (transmission change) dropped to the rear as well.

MORE: Set Fantasy Live lineup

Posted on by Nick Giffen

The Action Network specializes in providing sports betting insights/analytics and is a content partner with NASCAR. Check out more NASCAR betting analysis here.

The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series regular season kicks off with the granddaddy of them all, the Daytona 500. Sunday’s race features the fourth race run under the current superspeedway rules package.

Last year’s three races under this rules package each finished with between 18 and 21 drivers on the lead lap. I expect even fewer lead-lap finishers for this race. That’s because the honor of being crowned the Daytona 500 champion encourages drivers to take even more risks. Between the huge draft and the intensity of pushing for the win, the “Big One” — where multiple cars sometimes numbering in the double digits wreck — always looms.

Betting Daytona is a bit strange. Because nearly anyone competing can win, it doesn’t make sense to bet favorites unless you’re getting a really good price on them. Instead, see if you can find prop value on favorites, while taking a few fliers on longer shot drivers.

Get 500-1 odds on ANY driver to win the Daytona 500 at BetMGM

Matt DiBenedetto (+3200) to Win

Yesterday, my colleagues Matthew Freedman, PJ Walsh, and I ranked each driver from 1-40. I was highest on DiBenedetto, slotting him into the 10 hole, while PJ wasn’t far behind putting DiBenedetto in 12th. Even taking into account the more pessimistic 21st place ranking from Freedman, DiBenedetto averages out to our 14th place driver, but is priced with the 18th best chance to win at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Given I’m even higher on DiBenedetto, this is definitely a bet I’d recommend. Last year, DiBenedetto led twice for 49 laps on his own merit while driving for Leavine Family Racing before getting caught up in a wreck not of his making. He also pushed into the lead at the spring Talladega race before wrecking again. In the only superspeedway race he didn’t wreck, he finished eighth at the Coke Zero 400.

Now, DiBenedetto gets an upgrade to Wood Brothers Racing, which is affiliated with Team Penske. For context, Leavine Family Racing has never had a win in its Cup Series history. Ryan Blaney piloted the Wood Brothers car to a win in 2017 en route to a ninth place finish in the final points standings. You better believe DiBenedetto will benefit from the Team Penske alliance. The Penske drivers and cars are top of the line at Daytona, and DiBenedetto will be teaming with them all day.

If he avoids the Big One, he’s a legitimate contender to win. I like DiBenedetto down to +2200.

Chris Buescher (+7500) to Win

My colleague PJ Walsh wrote about Buescher back in December, but his odds haven’t budged at FanDuel where he remains a 75-1 long shot a mere 24 hours prior to the green flag.

FanDuel clearly hasn’t adjusted for the fact that Buescher has upgraded from JTG Daugherty to the No. 17 car at Roush Fenway Racing (RFR) previously driven by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Stenhouse piloted that car to two superspeedway wins. Buescher is no slouch himself at Daytona. In six races at Daytona while with JTG Daugherty, he has three top-ten finishes, including two fifth places finishes in 2018. With the upgrade, we should expect an even more competitive Buescher. I’d bet Buescher down to +5000.

Posted on by Staff Report

The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season begins at Daytona International Speedway, the birthplace of speed.

Kyle Busch is a two-time Cup Series champion. The “Big 3” this year may refer to a banner rookie class. And for one seven-time legend, this year’s “Great American Race” may be the final of his illustrious career.

It’s Daytona Day, the 62nd running of the Daytona 500 (will resume Monday at 4 p.m. ET, FOX, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), and with it the first big step in a season with a brand-new, reimagined schedule that ends in Phoenix for the first time in history.

RELATED: Daytona 500 starting lineup | Ways to follow

NASCAR.com has you covered from every conceivable angle. Read our full coverage below to get ready for both today’s Daytona 500 and the 2020 season.

It’s Daytona time. Let’s go.

BRAND NEW DAY

Daytona Embed Photo Jets


• Sunday preview: From blocking to superspeedway racing, start your Daytona prep here. These are the five most important things to watch. | Read more

• To block or not to block?: Blocking’s been the story of Speedweeks after multiple big wrecks in the Busch Clash. So, what to do? Zack Albert analyzes why Sunday may be a battle of survival. | Read more

• These five things will happen: How to predict one of the most unpredictable races? Our friends at Racing Insights provided some intriguing data. One trend: A Busch brother will get passed for the win. | Read more

• Teammate trouble?: The biggest bickering moments this Speedweeks belong to a pair of Team Penske teammates in Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. Will the tension boil over Sunday? | Read more

• Fuel on the fire: Ah, yes, there’s Denny Hamlin interjecting into the Kes-Logano snipping as only he can. | Read more

• A new ‘Seven-Time’: It’s Jimmie Johnson’s final full-time season. His legacy on track is unmatched, but fans should expect to see a different side of him this year. | Read more

• Then and Now: We asked Jimmie Johnson some of the exact same questions he was asked during his media day interview as a rookie in 2002. Hear if his answers have changed. | Watch more

• One last check mark: Kyle Busch has done practically everything there is to do in NASCAR … except win the Daytona 500. Hear ‘Rowdy’ address that head on. | Watch now

• Brand new paint: New year, new paint schemes. Here are the looks you’ll see on track today. | Read more

• New paint … again: These fresh looks are so nice, we had to show them off from every angle. | Read more

A YEAR IN VIEW

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

• Ranking them all: Take every Daytona 500, study it, analyze it … then rank it. That’s what we did, coming up with our cumulative list that measures one thing. Greatness. | Read more

• Projecting the playoffs: Fifteen NASCAR.com staff members submitted ballots in an attempt to predict the 16-driver playoff field. We added the results to come up with this group of drivers. | Read more

• Race by race: Predicting the winner of every 2020 race? Sure, we’ll give it a shot. We have a few upsets, some twists … and a new two-time champion at the end of the season. | Read more

• A place in history: It takes a special driver and special circumstances to win the biggest race in NASCAR. Here is the select group to have done it. | Read more

• A heartfelt plea: Corey LaJoie to the No. 48? LaJoie is giving it a shot, stating his case in a personal, handwritten letter to team owner Rick Hendrick. | Read more

• A future in focus: Erik Jones is one of several big-name drivers entering 2020 in a contract year. His future plans? ‘No intention’ of leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, he says. | Read more

• New start for Martin: Martin Truex Jr., one of the most dominant drivers of the past three years, has a new crew chief atop the pit box. Meet James Small, the man tasked with replacing Cole Pearn. | Read more

• Get off my lawn!: We asked the NASCAR veterans to give their advice to this year’s rookies crop. The results had Martin Truex Jr. keeled over in laughter. | Watch more

LET THE GAMING BEGIN

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

• The odds are … : Don’t get caught heading to the betting window without checking the latest odds to win. Who’s the favorite, and who presents a good value? | Read more

• Life in the Fastlane: Fantasy Live is back, and so is fantasy guru RJ Kraft’s advice in Fantasy Fastlane. Get off on the right foot Sunday with this advice. | Read more

• New way to play: NASCAR and Penn National Gaming are partnering up to give fans a whole new gaming experience. At the center is NASCAR Finish Line, where you could win $50,000. | Read more

• Expert picks: Now that you’ve clicked the above link and know how to play NASCAR Finish Line, allow expert Steve Letarte to give you his picks. | Watch now