Daytona 500 Open Field Grows

by
Peter Stratta
January 18, 2023

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR

Open Field Continues to Grow for Daytona 500, More Possibly to Come

Following up to a November look at the 2023 Daytona 500 entry list, some more pieces have fallen into place. At the time of this writing, five open cars have pledged to attempt The Great American Race, meaning at least one driver will go home. Let’s revisit the open teams who will compete for the last four spots on the Daytona 500 grid, and others who could perhaps join them.

Confirmed Open Entries

Back in November, we knew three of the now five open teams for the Daytona 500. That list included Truck Series champion Zane Smith, who will try to make his second-ever Cup start with Front Row Motorsports. Also known well in advance were Austin Hill in the Beard Motorsports No. 62, and Jimmie Johnson, in the newly-branded Legacy Motor Club No. 84 Chevrolet.

Two new teams join open status for the Daytona 500. First off, Kaulig Racing will enter a third Chevrolet, with Chandler Smith attempting his Cup debut in the No. 13. Smith, 20, moves to Kaulig for the 2023 Xfinity season after being third in 2022 Truck Series points.

Another high-profile Cup debut hopes to come from 23XI Racing, as action-sports icon Travis Pastrana will attempt a Daytona effort in the No. 67 Toyota. Pastrana has 42 Xfinity starts from 2012-2013 and two Truck races from 2020. From his one full-time Xfinity season in 2013, Pastrana did earn a top-10 at Daytona.

2022 Daytona 500 Teams Still Pending

Five more open cars from the 2022 Daytona 500 still have their future plans undecided. This includes the Nos. 55 and 66 from MBM Motorsports, who both DNQ’d last year’s race. One or both of these cars could make another 500 run.

On the flip side, The Money Team’s No. 50 Chevrolet made the race, and has yet to announce any new venture. With Justin Marks saying that Trackhouse’s Project91 will not compete in Daytona, the 50 has become a likely landing spot for Helio Castroneves.

Team Hezeberg may run again if a driver comes with funding. Last year, this startup team made the Daytona 500 with past F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve in the No. 27. For select races, they also ran the No. 26 entry.

Lastly, NY Racing Team’s No. 44 Chevrolet made the 2022 field with Greg Biffle. After making five of the first 10 races in 2022 though, this team has not attempted another Cup race. It is likely that they sold equipment to the German startup team 3F Racing, who plan to run 2023 Cup races. It is currently unknown if either team will go for a Daytona 500 start.

How Open Teams Make the Daytona 500

As an open car, making the Daytona 500 field can be either calm or stressful. The two fastest open teams in single-car qualifying will lock their spot in, bringing the field up to 38 cars before the Duels. The highest finishing open car in each Duel race will get the final two spots in the 40-car starting lineup.

As it all sits now, 41 cars will be going for the 40 coveted spots on the starting grid for the 65th Daytona 500. Pole qualifying (Wednesday, Feb. 15, 8:00 p.m. ET, FS1/MRN/SXM 90) and the Duel races (Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:00 p.m. ET, FS1/MRN/SXM 90) will be can’t-miss television, as the chances are high that at least one heavy-hitting name could sit on the sidelines. Be sure to not miss a moment of Speedweek action, as Daytona is only a month away.