DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will race in the Daytona 500 as a special 41st driver under a new rule that allows for a "world-class driver" to receive a provisional spot. The Brazilian did not want to use the provisional and hoped to race his way into the field. But he was involved in an early eight-car accident that sent his Chevrolet behind the wall for repairs and took him out of contention for one of the open spots available in his Thursday night 150-mile...

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's Chief Operating Officer, has been hinting at possible changes to the championship race setup in the future. These discussions, which took place during the debut episode of the "Hauler Talk" podcast, reveal that NASCAR is considering moving the location of its Cup Series title race. An industrywide committee review of the playoffs is currently underway, which could result in some adjustments.

February 13 - Chase Briscoe won the pole for the 67th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, beating Austin Cindric for the top spot. He wasn't the only driver to help his case ahead of the Great American Race, however. Here are the five drivers who helped themselves the most in the Wednesday qualifying session. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing In his first qualifying session with Joe Gibbs Racing, Briscoe made the biggest statement possible. Toyota has traditionally lagged behind Ford and Chevy in Daytona 500 qualifying, and...

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. NASCAR fans now have a new way to watch the Daytona 500 thanks to Apple's recent expansion of its Sports app. This update, which is part of the app's version 2.5 rollout, now includes NASCAR coverage, starting with one of the sport's most anticipated events, the Daytona 500. This development allows users to get live updates, see real-time leaderboard changes, and view key stats, all through a platform that's becoming a central...

February 10 - The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will once more descend on the birthplace of NASCAR for the 67th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday. Since 1959, the "Great American Race" has provided fans with thrill after thrill. Here are five storylines to follow during Speedweeks. 1. Twenty years of trying, Part 2? On Feb. 15, 1998, Mike Joy called Dale Earnhardt to victory in the Daytona 500 by uttering one of the most iconic lines in NASCAR history: "Twenty years of trying, 20 years of frustration! Dale...

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Xfinity, part of Comcast, is concluding its 11-year partnership as the title sponsor of NASCAR's secondary national series at the conclusion of the 2025 season. Despite this, Xfinity will remain involved in NASCAR as a premier partner for the NASCAR Cup Series and as a sponsor for events like the Xfinity Fastest Lap. The move draws attention to NASCAR's need to find a new name or sponsor to maintain the series' appeal...

Longtime NASCAR and motorsports writer Ed Hinton died Thursday in a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. He was 76. Hinton, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, who attended Ole Miss and graduated from Southern Mississippi, retired on Dec. 31, 2014, after a 47-year career. He was a senior writer for ESPN at the time. Hinton covered many sports, including NASCAR, starting out at the Orlando Sentinel in 1974. He moved to The National Sports Daily in 1989 and after it folded went to Sports Illustrated, where he covered the NFL, MLB and...

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Kevin Harvick has spoken out against a new NASCAR rule that might leave a "bad taste in their mouth" for some fans and drivers. The Open Exemption Provisional, which allows a 41st starting position in races for non-NASCAR drivers, was introduced earlier this year and is receiving comments from across the sport. More News: Jimmie Johnson Predicted to be Under Major Pressure After Shaq Promo Designed to draw racers from other disciplines,...

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Grammy Award-winning rapper, Pitbull, is set to perform at the Daytona 500 pre-race show in 2025. This event, celebrated as the most prestigious in NASCAR, will take place on February 16, 2025, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The performance is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET. Fans with the Hard Rock Bet Fanzone Pass will have the chance to enjoy Pitbull's performance. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover...