NASCAR
67th Running of the Daytona 500 May See Largest Field in Years
2025’s rendition of The Great American Race is already a stacked affair. The Daytona 500 will see the nation’s best racing talents duke it out for the coveted Harley J. Earl Trophy, and a spot in NASCAR history books. Version 67 of this legendary race may have more suitors than its seen in a decade. As of early January, the preliminary entry list is reaching a number not seen yet in the Next Gen era, and rivals any Cup Series field seen in the charter system. Here’s a look at each open team that could show up for the 2025 Daytona 500.
All of the last three Daytona 500s have seen two cars not advance past the Duels. Going back to the charter system’s debut of 40-car fields in 2016, the highest car count for the season-opener has been 44. Next month could see these numbers rivaled or possibly even surpassed. In short, the Daytona Duel races on Thursday, February 13 will be must-see television to determine who makes the cut.
MBM No. 66 – Mike Wallace
Announced last week, MBM Motorsports will make a Daytona 500 attempt with veteran Mike Wallace in the No. 66 Ford. The 66 has been a constant in The Great American Race for five of the last seven years, making the show twice. One of these showings was with the oldest-ever Daytona 500 entrant, 66-year-old Mark Thompson in 2018.
Wallace, 65, will make his first Cup start since the 2015 Daytona 500, and first NASCAR appearance since 2020. The veteran is a past Daytona winner across Xfinity, Trucks, and ARCA, boasting a highly underrated superspeedway résumé.
NY Racing No. 44 – JJ Yeley
Another Next Gen regular for the Daytona 500 is NY Racing Team’s No. 44 Chevrolet. This team will make another run at The Great American Race with veteran JJ Yeley. This pairing narrowly missed out on advancing past their Duel race last year, and made eight other starts together. Between Yeley and Greg Biffle, the 44’s been on the entry list for two of the last three Daytona 500s.
Rick Ware Racing No. 15 – TBA?
Newly a one-charter team for 2025, expect Rick Ware Racing to still bring a second car to Florida. RWR has seen at least two entries in the last four Daytona 500s. They may want added drafting help this time as well. Seat No. 15 has been occupied by Derrike Cope, David Ragan, and Riley Herbst throughout this duration. Another Ford development or factory-backed driver would be the likely choice for this ride. A second RWR effort would only further strengthen the blue oval brigade’s superspeedway dominance.
Legacy MC No. 84 – Jimmie Johnson?
Seven-time Cup champion, two-time Daytona 500 champion, and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson is anticipated to make another run in The Great American Race. Legacy Motor Club’s No. 84 Toyota was the center of drama in last year’s Duel races. Johnson only broke into the show between turn four and the checkers on the last lap.
Toyotas will have a higher strength in numbers for 2025’s drafting races. This gives LMC added reasons to field the No. 84 at Daytona. Johnson said in a recent interview that he plans nine NASCAR starts for 2025. Daytona appears to be one of those select races.
Beard Motorsports No. 62 – TBA?
The little team that could, Beard Motorsports has made a Daytona 500 attempt for the last eight years. Six of those showings ended with a Sunday grid spot. This part-time team has seen a best Daytona 500 finish of seventh.
Austin Hill, Anthony Alfredo, and Parker Retzlaff are the latest drivers in the No. 62 Chevrolet since 2023. Any of them are likely to make another showing with the family-run team next month. With an ECR-powered engine, this car cannot be counted out until the checkers fly in its Duel race.
Team TBA – Martin Truex Jr.?
Alongside Jimmie Johnson, Martin Truex Jr. is the biggest NASCAR star on the Open cars entry list. Retiring from full-time stock car racing after 2024, Truex still wants to scratch his competitive itch with select starts.
We know that his car will not be fielded by 23XI Racing, as previously reported. What team and number he races remains to be officially announced. This entry will likely have heavy Joe Gibbs Racing support though. Championship-winning crew chief Cole Pearn will also return to lead this team. Both highly decorated men are still eyeing a maiden Daytona 500 win.
Trackhouse Project91 – Helio Castroneves
Trackhouse Racing’s Project91 Chevrolet may just be the highest-profile all-star car in NASCAR history. In only four past starts, this team has seen two world-class talents be introduced to the Cup Series. The 91 also went to victory lane with one of its drivers in their NASCAR debut.
It is now confirmed that this team will make their Daytona 500 debut with another international star: Hélio Castroneves. The four-time Indianapolis 500 and three-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner is eyeing a NASCAR debut on the biggest stage. Castroneves was promised a Daytona 500 ride after winning a Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) race at Five Flags Speedway in 2023. Following two years of negotiations, this deal is done following recent reports and cryptic social media posts.
Castroneves would bring with him a big fan following and more international buzz to the Daytona 500. He would only further emphasize Trackhouse’s already worldwide driver lineup, being a fourth driver from a fourth different country. One of the most decorated IndyCar drivers ever moonlighting in NASCAR’s biggest show would be a treat for all to witness.
RCR No. 33 – Austin Hill?
Death, taxes, and Austin Hill winning are the three guarantees of life in Xfinity Series superspeedway racing. The Georgia native is the three-time defending winner of the Daytona season opener, along with three Atlanta triumphs. The RCR driver appears almost unstoppable against any competition on Saturdays. His drafting numbers make him a welcome addition to the Daytona 500.
Hill missed out on 2023’s Great American Race in the Beard No. 62 Chevrolet. He has since made a few Cup starts in the RCR No. 33. It has been announced that this third team would make select Sunday appearances in 2025. Hill would be a valuable asset in helping either Kyle Busch or Austin Dillon bring another Harley J. Earl Trophy back home to Welcome.
LiveFast No. 78 – BJ McLeod
Florida’s own BJ McLeod will field his own car in a fifth-straight Daytona 500 attempt. Narrowly missing the cut for last year’s race, the No. 78 was turning heads up front in its Duel. McLeod has shown up to every superspeedway race since selling his charter. He is still trying to stun the racing world with an underdog Open team triumph.
McLeod’s two career Cup top-10s have both come at The World Center of Racing. The all-black Chevrolet will probably be in the mix again for its Duel. The short track ace will try to live to fight on Sunday for the sport’s biggest crown.
Team AmeriVet No. 50 – TBA?
One final team who may show up to Daytona is the AmeriVet No. 50. This Chevrolet crew made the Daytona 500 in 2022 and 2023, in addition to two other starts last season. Kaz Grala, Conor Daly, Ty Dillon, and Jeb Burton have all taken turns in this seat, with a best result of 23rd. One of their 2024 starts was the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, where Burton placed 38th. This team did skip Speedweek 2024, however, so it is literally 50/50 if the 50 makes another appearance.
No matter how many Open teams do show up, drama will be high between qualifying and the Duels. The two fastest non-chartered cars from full-field qualifying will lock in their spot on Wednesday, February 12. The next evening will be both 150-mile Duel Races. These sprints will set the remainder of the grid behind the front row, and determine the last two cars into Sunday’s race. Nerves will be shot up and down the grid with every spot mattering in a go-or-go-home scenario. Be sure to stay tuned for the official 2025 Daytona 500 entry list over the coming weeks.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
