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Daytona 500 – Did you know?

By
Angie Campbell
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Photo by Mike Biskupski for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The 67th running of the Daytona 500 is set for this upcoming Sunday. But did you know that it has been the season-opener only since 1982?

The first “Great American Race” occurred on February 22, 1959. Lee Petty won in his No. 42 Oldsmobile Super 88 in his first appearance at the event. He led 38 laps, winning by two feet in a photo finish with Johnny Beauchamp and Joe Weatherly.

Coincidentally, twenty-five years later, his son, Richard Petty, captured his 200th win at Daytona in the Firecracker 400 on July 4, 1984.

The Daytona 500 trophy is arguably the most coveted award in the NASCAR Cup Series but did you know that 43 different drivers have won the Daytona 500?

Richard Petty leads the series with seven wins (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981), followed by Cale Yarborough with four wins. Bobby Allison, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon have each won three Daytona 500s. Bill Elliott, Sterling Marlin, Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth have won the Daytona 500 two times.

Denny Hamlin leads active drivers with three wins (2016, 2019, 2020) but did you know that he is one of eight active drivers who will participate in this weekend’s race?

They include Jimmie Johnson who has 2 previous wins in 2006 and 2013, and William Byron (2024), Ricky Stehouse Jr. (2023), Austin Cindric (2022), Michael McDowell (2021), Austin Dillon (2018) and Joey Logano (2015) with one win each.  

Thirty years separate the oldest and youngest drivers who have won the 500. Trevor Bayne became the youngest driver (20 years, 0 months, 1 day) on Feb. 20, 2011, when he captured the checkered flag in his first start in the Daytona 500. It was also his first career Cup Series victory. Bobby Allison won his third Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 1988, making him the oldest Daytona 500 winner (50 years, 2 months, 11 days).

Many say that where you finish is more important than where you start. However, when it comes to the Daytona 500, qualifying well is a key factor. Did you know that the pole position has produced more winners (nine) than any other position?

Sixteen of the 66 DAYTONA 500s (24.24%) have been won from the front row. Nine have been won from the pole and seven have been won from the second-place starting position.

The Daytona 500 is one of the most sought-after wins in NASCAR’s premier series, and for good reason.

Five drivers who won the 500 went on to become the Cup Series Champion the same year. The list includes Richard Petty (1964, 1971, 1974, 1979), Johnson (2006, 2013), Lee Petty (1959), Cale Yarborough (1977) and Jeff Gordon (1997).

The 67th Daytona 500 will kick off the 2025 season Sunday with television coverage on Sunday, Feb. 16 on FOX at 2:30 p.m. Radio coverage will be available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR.

Follow @angiecampbell_ on Twitter for the latest NASCAR news and feature stories.

Hettinger Racing Enters NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Season Opener at Daytona With Driver Mason Maggio

By
Official Release
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20-Year-Old Racer To Drive No. 4 Tantillo Auto Group Chevrolet Silverado

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Feb. 12, 2025) – Hettinger Racing has entered the season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway with driver Mason Maggio.

The 20-year-old racer from Palm Beach Garden, Florida, will drive the No. 4 Tantillo Auto Group Chevrolet Silverado in Friday’s Fresh From Florida 250, which will be broadcast live at 7:30 p.m. EST on FS1 and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The Fresh From Florida 250 will be Maggio’s 22nd career Truck Series start and his second on a superspeedway. Maggio’s first superspeedway start came in his most recent Truck Series race – Oct. 4, 2024 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, where he finished 18th.

“As far as the overall basics of superspeedway racing and how to navigate it, Talladega definitely gave me a great feel of what to expect,” Maggio said. “I’ve been putting in the work watching film between practice, qualifying and the race, and then I’ve got some really good people here at Hettinger Racing to lean on for advice. Talladega gave me a lot of good pointers and it just makes me feel even more prepared than I would’ve been if I didn’t do that race last year.”

Daytona marks Hettinger Racing’s third Truck Series start. The team ran the final two Truck Series race of the 2024 season at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway and Phoenix Raceway with driver Brett Moffitt after team owner Chris Hettinger bought the assets of Bret Holmes Racing.

Hettinger is a second-generation racer whose father, Jim, raced open-wheel Midgets and Sprint Cars and won two championships in 1984 and 1990, accolades that earned him a spot in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Chris began his racing career behind the wheel, winning in Midgets and Late Models before becoming a fulltime team owner.

“Daytona marks another step in the growth of our race team,” Hettinger said. “We’ve got our Late Model and ARCA program, and the Truck Series represents the top step of the ladder program we have available to our drivers. Mason is ready for this opportunity and we are too.”

Maggio is an accomplished Late Model racer who began his career in Bandolero and Legend Cars. He made his Truck Series debut on June 4, 2022 at Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, and his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut on April 1, 2023 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway.

“I broke into the Truck Series in 2022, and then did my first Xfinity start in 2023. Just been kind of going back and forth there, really hustling with smaller-to-mid-pack teams trying to make a name for myself and continuing to show the NASCAR world what I can do,” Maggio said. “I feel like I’ve done a pretty decent job of that, from well-established, small teams to even startup teams, so I’m not afraid to grab the bull by the horns and take on a new challenge. It’s what’s led me to this opportunity with Hettinger Racing and, knowing I’ve got good equipment and good people, it’s the most excited I’ve been in a long time.”

Niece Motorsports NCTS Race Preview: Daytona International Speedway

By
Official Release
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NIECE MOTORSPORTS
NCTS RACE ADVANCE: DAYTONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
Event: Fresh From Florida 250 (100 laps / 250 miles)
Round: 1 of 25 (Regular Season Opener)
Track: Daytona International Speedway
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Date & Time: Friday, February 14th | 7:30 PM ET
Tune-In: FOX Sports 1 | Motor Racing Network (MRN) | Sirius XM Ch. 90

Team Stats & Notes

  • 10th Season Celebration: 2025 marks Niece Motorsports’ 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Starting in Daytona, all of the team’s race trucks will carry special decals commemorating the milestone. Social media content and merchandise will be centered around the campaign in forthcoming weeks.
  • Niece Motorsports Daytona Stats: Niece drivers have made a combined 20 starts for the organization at Daytona International Speedway. Historically, the team runs well at this track, having posted four top-fives and eight top-10s over the years, including a best result of third with Ross Chastain in 2019. Last year, Bayley Currey was the highest-performing team driver finishing in 13th-place.

No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Matt Mills | Crew Chief: Mike Shiplett

  • On the Box: Recently joining the organization in October, veteran crew chief, Mike Shiplett, will continue to call the shots for the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST. Shiplett, a 24-time NXS winner, has claimed victories in all three NASCAR national series. Before his time at Niece Motorsports, Shiplett spent years working with several established teams such as Evernham Motorsports, Turner Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Richard Childress Racing, among others.

During his tenure as a NXS crew chief, Shiplett’s team qualified for the Playoffs on four occasions – including a runner-up finish with Ganassi in 2018. He also made the Cup Series Playoffs in 2020 while at Stewart-Haas. Outside of racing, Shiplett enjoys exploring the ocean as a licensed scuba dive master. At 52, he resides in Salisbury, North Carolina, with his wife, Brooke.

  • On the Roof: Spotting for the No. 42 team this year will be TJ Majors, who primarily fills the role for Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Cup Series team at RFK Racing. Majors is a former driver turned multi-time race-winning spotter with decades of experience. He spotted for Mills in several races last year, having shifted over from the No. 41 team midway through the season.
  • Mills’ Daytona Stats: Matt Mills has made one prior NCTS start at Daytona International Speedway which came in last year’s season opener. After starting fourth, Mills finished 26th after he was collected in an early multi-truck crash. In eight NXS starts at the famed 2.5-mile super speedway, Mills holds one top-10 following a 10th-place run in the summer race held in 2019.
  • Shiplett’s Daytona Stats: Mike Shiplett has been atop the pit box for one NCTS race at Daytona International Speedway, working with Bret Holmes who finished fourth in last year’s race. In the Cup Series, Shiplett has called 13 races here with two top-10s (best of ninth with Reed Sorenson in 2009). Shiplett is a past Daytona winner in the Xfinity Series, having claimed the summer race with Kyle Larson in 2018.
  • On the Truck: Mills’ No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from longtime partners J.F. Electric and Utilitra, who will serve as his anchor partners for the entire 25-race season.
  • Previewing 2025: As he enters his second full-time season, Mills is ready to step up to the plate and contend for wins in the Truck Series. Before last year, Mills spent seven years in the Xfinity Series, using the majority of last year acclimating to the tendencies of NCTS racing. Now, with a year’s worth of experience behind him, Mills believes he is the most prepared on what it takes to exceed expectations heading into 2025.
  • Testing, Testing: Mills recently visited Rockingham Speedway for the first time as he participated in last month’s two-day NCTS organizational test. Sharing his No. 42 truck with Ross Chastain, Mills unofficially placed the seventh-quickest timed lap around the historic track.
  • Quoting Mills: Your team had a great truck last time out at Talladega, so what were you able to learn in that race that can help at the start of the year?

“Having a great spotter like TJ Majors taught me a lot in Talladega. He really helped explain all the work that you have to do when you’re in the first couple of rows when you’re dictating the field and setting the pace. I’m looking forward to going back to Daytona; we prepared really fast trucks at the super speedways last year, so having a fast race truck and having TJ up top spotting, I think we have another good shot at having a great weekend for J.F. Electric and Utilitra.”

About J.F. Electric: J.F. Electric is an electrical contractor that provides engineering expertise, backed by construction and installation know-how in a diverse range of service offerings, from utilities and commercial projects, to industrial and telecommunications customers. When having a long family history in an industry, a company not only builds on its knowledge and experience, it takes pride in cultivating a solid understanding of client needs, all the while nurturing strong relationships with its employees. Evolving through five generations of the Fowler family, J.F. Electric has matured into a well-managed and thoughtfully diversified electrical contractor which is poised to continue its growth and expansion into the future.

About Utilitra: Utilitra is a woman-owned firm specializing in utility and technology solutions with a diverse team of specialized professionals. Utilitra is committed to solving their client’s unique challenges, whether one expert or a team of experts is needed. By adapting to the needs of their respective industries, Utilitra has built a range of services for their utility and technology partners.

No. 44 Masked Owl Technologies / DQS Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Bayley Currey | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers

  • On the Box: As one of the most experienced crew chiefs in the NCTS garage, Wally Rogers has spent over 30 years dedicating his life to the sport. Rogers will oversee the No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST this year. Born in New Jersey, Rogers began his career as a mechanic in the IROC Series, later joining Andy Petree Racing in 1996. From there, he spent time at Evans Racing, Kevin Harvick Incorporated, Evernham Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, Levine-Family Racing, GoFAS Racing, Tri-Star Motorsports, All-Out Motorsports, and Jordan Anderson Racing, before joining Niece in 2020.

An avid outdoorsman, Rogers enjoys hunting and camping on his weeks off. The 52-year-old lives in Lexington, North Carolina, with his girlfriend, Marlene. Rogers is a father of twin daughters, Cali (19), and Emma (19).

  • On the Roof: One of Niece Motorsports’ original drivers, TJ Bell, will spot for the No. 44 team this season. After completing his driving career, he transitioned into the spotting role. Last year, Bell worked with the No. 45 team, and recently picked up a LMP2 class win at the 24 Hours of Daytona with United Autosports.
  • Currey’s Daytona Stats: Bayley Currey made his first NCTS start at Daytona International Speedway last February. Rolling off from the ninth position in qualifying, his No. 41 Silverado finished 13th on that day. Currey has also made four NXS starts at Daytona, posting a best result of 20th in the 2022 season opener.
  • Rogers’ Daytona Stats: Wally Rogers has called five NCTS races held at Daytona International Speedway since 2004, when he made his first series start. Rogers has built some considerably fast trucks in the draft, toting two top-fives including a second-place finish with Jordan Anderson in 2020. Rogers is a two-time winner in the Xfinity Series at this track, having visited victory lane with Randy LaJoie in 2001 and Tony Stewart in 2006. He’s also made eight Cup Series starts, finishing as high as seventh.
  • On the Truck: Currey’s No. 44 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from Masked Owl Technologies and DQS Solutions & Staffing.
  • Previewing 2025: After completing his first full-time season driving the No. 41 Chevrolet last year, Currey returns to Niece Motorsports with the No. 44 team. As the highest-finishing team driver in points in 2024 (18th), Currey looks to parlay his momentum to produce breakout runs heading into the new year.
  • Tying the Knot: On January 11th, Currey married his fiancée, Lexie, in the picturesque snowfall of Cleveland, North Carolina surrounded by family, friends, and teammates. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds traveled to Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a memorable, week-long honeymoon.
  • Bayley on Ice: Two weeks ago, Currey traveled to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, for his first experience attending the I-500. Through sub-zero temperatures in a rigid climate, the driver helped bridge the gap between stock car and snowmobile racing. He drove the team’s Dirt Super Late Model around as the pace car for the iconic race that was put on by Owosso Speedway and Precision Vehicle Logistics.
  • Quoting Currey: With how well your truck ran in last year’s race, do you think you’ll try to stay up front again this time?

“For sure, that’s got to be my game plan. It was a blast to be up front pushing the leaders last year, and I think we’ll have the truck to do it again this time. Our trucks always seem to qualify and race pretty well at the super speedways and everyone in the shop has been pouring their hearts into these pieces ever since we came back home from Phoenix last year. I’m hungry and really want to make everyone proud at Masked Owl, DQS, and Niece Motorsports.”

About Masked Owl Technologies: Masked Owl Technologies (MOT) is an industrial solutions integrator specializing in developing customized automation and controls processes. They take a consulting-based approach to identify the root cause of system challenges and incorporate tested, emerging technology into industrial solutions that mitigate risk and solve complex problems, the first time.

About DQS Solutions & Staffing: Guided by a mission to achieve excellence and adaptability, DQS partners with clients to create custom solutions that address unique business challenges. Recognized as Michigan’s fastest-growing company and #22 in the nation on the Inc. 5000 list, DQS drives industry growth while giving back through its nonprofit, Foundation for Pops, and partnerships like the River Rouge School District.

No. 45 AutoVentive / Precision Vehicle Logistics Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Kaden Honeycutt | Crew Chief: Phil Gould

  • On the Box: Niece Motorsports’ longest-tenured and winningest crew chief, Phil Gould, returns for his seventh season with the team. Remaining in place, Gould will lead the No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST. Gould, who has been associated with the organization since 2019, has won eight NCTS races on top of the pit box with Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar. His team has made the Playoffs for four seasons – including last year competing for the owner’s title.

At the start of his career, Gould joined Mike Stefanik’s NXS team before moving to Evernham Motorsports. From there, he spent 12 seasons at Richard Childress Racing – before moving to Roush-Fenway Racing – where he won his first NXS race as a crew chief and qualified for the Playoffs three years straight. The 47-year-old lives in Salisbury, North Carolina, with his fiancée, Nacole. Gould is a father of two sons, Matt (19) and Justin (18).

  • On the Roof: Accomplished driver-turned spotter, Stevie Reeves, will spot for the No. 45 team this year. Reeves, a two-time USAC Midget champion, actively spots for Christopher Bell’s No. 20 Cup Series team for Joe Gibbs Racing. Last year, Reeves worked with the No. 44 team’s array of drivers.
  • Honeycutt’s Daytona Stats: Kaden Honeycutt is looking to make his first-career NCTS start at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night. The 21-year-old attempted to qualify into the race in 2023, but was unable to do so.
  • Gould’s Daytona Stats: Phil Gould has called six NCTS races at Daytona, posting one top-five and two top-10 finishes (best of third with Ross Chastain in 2019). In 2017, Gould won his first Xfinity Series race as a crew chief here while working with Ryan Reed. In total, Gould has achieved three top-fives and five top-10 finishes in 12 NXS starts at this track.
  • On the Truck: Honeycutt’s No. 45 Chevrolet Silverado RST will race with support from AutoVentive and Precision Vehicle Logistics, who will serve as his anchor partners for the majority of the upcoming season.
  • Previewing 2025: Coming off an impressive stint in a partial schedule last year, Kaden Honeycutt enters 2025 looking to contend for the championship in his first full-time effort. Despite only making 14 starts, Honeycutt excelled with six top-10 finishes, highlighted by a pair of fourth-place runs in both Kansas races. With the No. 45 team staying in tact from last year, the group aims to build off their momentum found in 2024.
  • Testing, Continued: Honeycutt joined teammates, Matt Mills and Ross Chastain, in a two-day NCTS organizational test at Rockingham Speedway in January. Though the layout was new to him, the driver of the No. 45 team felt right at home, unofficially posting the second-quickest timed lap overall.
  • Off-Season Fun: Kaden Honeycutt had one of the busiest off-seasons this past winter, starting off with a marquee victory in the 57th Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. In late December, Honeycutt and team visited the NFL stadium that hosts the Detroit Lions for a flag football tournament with employees from Precision Vehicle Logistics and DQS Solutions & Staffing. At the start of the year, Honeycutt finished second in a US Legends car race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and wrapped up the month attending the I-500 snowmobile race.
  • Quoting Honeycutt: What does the significance of racing at Daytona mean to you?

“Racing at Daytona means a lot considering it’s the starting point for my first full-time year. It is going to be a battle all night to win this race like every year, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding considering how much effort has been put into our trucks. I have never raced here before, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and starting the year off strong with our No. 45 AutoVentive / Precision team.”

About AutoVentive: AutoVentive is an industry-leading Software as a Service (SaaS) applications developer providing customized solutions to the automotive logistics industry. The company is part of Liberty Hill Equity Partners, LLC, a Cincinnati-based private equity firm.

About Precision Vehicle Logistics: Precision Vehicle Logistics is a customer-focused group of professionals committed to service excellence in finished vehicle logistics. Precision offers a unique combination of talented experience, industry-leading software and systems, and a network of partners and resources to deliver customized solutions to the world’s leading automakers.

About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 190+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.

Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).

Daytona 500 race info, stats and trivia

By
SM Staff
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Photo by Mike Biskupski for SpeedwayMedia.com

We head into this weekend’s race at Daytona International Speedway, better known as the “World Center of Racing,” for the 67th running of the DAYTONA 500. The racing action begins with the DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light on Wednesday, February 12th. This will set the field for the Duel At DAYTONA, which will be on Thursday, February 13th, with the drivers battling it out for a spot in the DAYTONA 500.

This will also mark the season opening for all three of NASCAR’s national series and the ARCA Menards Series. The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250 will be on Friday, February 14th at 7:30 p.m. ET. On Saturday, February 15th, a double-header with the ARCA race will be followed by the NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

On Sunday, February 16th, we will feature “The Great American Race,” the DAYTONA 500, at 2:30 p.m. ET. It will feature GRAMMY® Award Winning Artist Pitbull’s pre-race show with the USAF Thunderbirds flyover. Anthony Mackie has been named the grand marshal for the race. Mackie portrays Captain America in Marvel Studios’ new film Captain America: Brave New World, releasing February 14th in theaters.

For more information, please visit daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

Race Information and Stats

Race No. 1 of 36 – Daytona 500 – 500 miles (200 laps) on February 16, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET
You can also view our schedule for 2025 Daytona Speedweeks here.

  • Purse: $30,331,250
  • Track Size: 2.5 miles
  • Banking/Corners: 31 degrees
  • Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
  • Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
  • The 2024 pole winner was Joey Logano (181.947 mph, 49.465 secs., 02-14-2024), driving a Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
  • The 2024 race winner was William Byron (157.178 mph, 03:10:52, 02-19-2024), driving a Chevrolet Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports.

The Stages

  • Stage 1 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)
  • Stage 2 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps, Ends on Lap 130)
  • Final Stage Length: 175 miles (70 laps, Ends on Lap 200)

Can Byron repeat?

William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports delivered the final ultimatum that sent them to Victory Lane in the rain-postponed 66th annual running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Monday, February 19th, 2024. The 26-year-old Byron from Charlotte, North Carolina, led the final four of 200-scheduled laps in an event where he started 18th and was consistent amongst a bevy of competitors running in tight two and three-stacked lanes from start to finish. Byron cycled to the front and made his presence at the front known for the first time during the final restart. With four laps remaining, he fended off late challenges from Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric to emerge as the winner of the Great American Race for the first time in his career.

Amber Balcaen, ICON & Gambit Technologies Unveil Game-Changing AI Sponsorship at Daytona 500

By
Official Release
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ICON and Gambit Technologies Unveil Game-Changing Sponsorship with Amber Balcaen for the Daytona 500

Winkler, MB – ICON, a leader in premium RV parts, and Gambit Technologies, a trailblazer in AI-driven sponsorship innovation, are thrilled to announce an innovative partnership with ARCA driver Amber Balcaen for the week of the 2025 Daytona 500. This partnership introduces the groundbreaking “Ask Amber” AI tool—a first-of-its-kind platform that blends cutting-edge technology with the excitement of motorsports, setting a new standard for fan engagement and customer interaction.

Innovation on Motorsport’s Biggest Stage

Launching on February 12th during Amber’s scheduled practice, AskAmber.io will debut as part of the excitement surrounding the iconic Daytona 500 weekend. Amber Balcaen will compete in the Daytona Hard Rock Bet 200 ARCA race on February 15th, giving fans an exciting new way to connect with her story while introducing a transformative AI-powered sponsorship experience. By integrating Amber Balcaen’s AI-powered personality into the fan experience, ICON and Gambit Technologies are breaking barriers in how brands connect with audiences.

“AskAmber.io isn’t just a tool—it’s a way to bring fans closer to the action and create meaningful interactions with RV owners, RV Dealers, and Race Fans,” said John Loewen, ICON Founder & CEO. “We’re thrilled to debut this innovation at such a meaningful event.”

Race Day Launch of the AskAmber.io RV Parts Tool

On February 12th, fans will gain access to Amber Balcaen through the “Ask Amber” tool, available at AskAmber.io. This unique platform allows users to:

  • Access a personalized shopping experience on ICONdirect.com, where RV owners, dealers, and repair professionals can easily find and purchase premium RV parts.
  • Ask Amber questions about her racing career, journey to NASCAR, and experiences at the Daytona 500.
  • Engage in real-time interactions, creating a deeper connection with their favorite driver and brand.
  • This campaign redefines the sponsorship model by showcasing how AI personalities can deliver entertainment, value, and a seamless customer experience.

Groundbreaking Fan Interaction, Meaningful business tool

“Ask-Amber is intended for more than fan interaction, it’s meant to be a reputable, useful tool for RV Parts customers, notably RV Dealers,” said John Loewen, ICON Founder & CEO. “The digital representation of Amber has been trained on all of our part details, making it easy for someone like an RV Parts professional to find the correct part for their application.”

Quotes from Key Partners

Amber Balcaen shared her enthusiasm about the initiative:
“I’m so excited to partner with ICON and Gambit Technologies to bring something groundbreaking to the Daytona 500. Fans will finally get a chance to connect with me in real time while also discovering a whole new way to shop for RV parts. This is the future of fan interaction!”

Pat Belliveau, Co-Founder of Gambit Technologies, said:
“At Gambit, we build AI personalities people actually want to talk to. Launching AskAmber at the Daytona 500 marks the beginning of a new era for sponsorships—where engagement, personalization, and innovation come together to deliver incredible value to fans and brands.”

About ICON

ICON is a leading manufacturer of premium RV parts, specializing in high-quality plastic components for RV owners, dealers, and manufacturers. ICON’s dedication to innovation and excellence has earned it a reputation as a trusted name in the RV industry.

About Gambit Technologies

Gambit Technologies specializes in creating AI solutions that connect technology with human interaction. By building AI personalities people love to engage with, Gambit transforms customer conversations and humanizes digital experiences.

As creators of AskEllyn, the world’s first AI companion for breast cancer support, Gambit has a proven track record of innovation. Their expertise spans caregiving, legal access, research, health support, media optimization, and customer engagement, creating tools that revolutionize how users interact with brands. Learn more at Gambitco.io.

About Amber Balcaen

Amber Balcaen is a professional race car driver and rising star in motorsports. She made history as the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States and achieved a career-best 6th-place finish in the 2024 ARCA season.

For more information, visit ICONdirect.com/racing or AskAmber.io.

START YOUR ENTRIES! Win $1 million at NASCAR Championship Weekend

By
Official Release
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NASCAR Powerball Playoff™ returns for third edition alongside 2025 NASCAR® season

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Feb. 12, 2025) – The highly anticipated NASCAR Powerball Playoff™ is back for its third edition, offering lottery players a chance to win an exclusive trip to 2025 NASCAR Championship Weekend™ and cash prizes up to $1 MILLION!

Powerball® and NASCAR® announced the return of the national promotion today, which will run alongside the 2025 NASCAR season. The promotion will culminate with four lottery players winning a VIP trip for two to 2025 NASCAR Championship Weekend™ at Phoenix Raceway®, Oct. 31 – Nov. 2. In addition, the four lottery players will have the chance to win $1 million in a special drawing televised live on NBC before the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race™.

“This promotion offers our players the ultimate motorsport experience, combining the excitement of NASCAR Championship Weekend with the chance of a lifetime to win $1 million,” said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO. “The four finalists and their guests will be flown to Phoenix to be immersed in the action, including pace car rides, access to exclusive areas, and front-row seats to some of the biggest NASCAR races.”

“This promotion has been such a great avenue to further engage NASCAR fans all across the country over the past two seasons,” said Michelle Byron, NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Partnership and Licensing Officer. “The synergies the Powerball Playoff has with the different stages of the NASCAR Playoffs allows for increased excitement and anticipation throughout the year, culminating with someone winning $1 million right before we crown a champion in Phoenix.”

Lottery players can enter the national Powerball® promotion through a participating state lottery. Lotteries will hold in-state contests and second-chance drawings throughout the 2025 NASCAR regular season to form a national pool of entrants. Entry periods and method of entry will vary by lottery. At the end of the NASCAR regular season, 16 semi-finalists will be drawn from the national pool to advance to the Powerball Playoff drawings, with no more than one semi-finalist per lottery advancing.

The Powerball Playoff drawings are a series of elimination drawings that mirror the elimination rounds of the NASCAR Playoffs™. As the 2025 playoff field of drivers is reduced, Powerball will reduce its playoff field of semi-finalists eligible to win the $1 million grand prize. Through a series of drawings, the field of semi-finalists will be reduced from 16 to 12 to 8 to 4 – with the remaining four finalists winning a VIP trip for two to the NASCAR Championship Weekend™ at Phoenix Raceway and entry into the $1 million drawing.

The results of each Powerball Playoff drawing will be revealed during select race broadcasts, beginning with the Round of 16 announcement on Aug. 23 at the NASCAR regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway. Cash prizes will be awarded to all 16 national semi-finalists based on their elimination position, ranging from $2,500 to the $1 million top prize:

PowerballPlayoff DrawingsDateRace AnnouncementNotes
Round of 16Aug. 23Coke Zero Sugar 400, Daytona Intl Speedway, Daytona, FL16 semi-finalists advance
Round of 12Sept. 13Bass Pro Shops Night Race, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN12 semi-finalists advance4 eliminated win $2,500
Round of 8Oct. 5Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC8 semi-finalists advance4 eliminated win $5,000
Championship 4Oct 26NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race, Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA4 finalists advance & win VIP trip4 eliminated win $7,500
$1 Million ChampionshipNov. 2NASCAR Cup Series Championship, Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, AZ(1) $1 million winner(3) $10,000 winners

The VIP trip includes roundtrip airfare for two to Phoenix, three nights hotel accommodations – double occupancy, two Ally Curve Hospitality Club passes for both the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race on Nov. 1 and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race on Nov. 2, two passes for VIP experiences at Phoenix Raceway during the NASCAR Championship Weekend including NASCAR Cup Series™ VIP access, NASCAR team hauler tour, MRN radio booth tour, pace car rides, Victory Lane access,  all meals, and ground transportation to scheduled events and activities.

Players should stay tuned to their local lotteries for more information on how to enter. Participating lotteries include Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana (Hoosier), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Additional lotteries may join the Powerball promotion at a later time.

Players can also follow the NASCAR Powerball Playoff on Facebook, Instagram, and online at Powerball.com.

Last year, Louisiana Lottery player Meagan Lewis, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was declared the NASCAR Powerball Playoff Champion and $1 million winner in a special drawing broadcast live from Phoenix Raceway before the start of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race™.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season officially begins this Sunday with live action of the DAYTONA 500 from Daytona International Speedway. The race will air live at 2:30 p.m. EST on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

About Powerball

Powerball® holds the current world record for largest national lottery jackpot at $2.04 billion. Since its first drawing in 1992, the game has helped generate more than $32 billion for good causes supported by U.S. lotteries. More than half of all proceeds from the sale of a Powerball ticket remain in the jurisdiction where the ticket was sold. Powerball tickets are $2 per play. Tickets are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball drawings are broadcast live every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee. Powerball drawings are also live streamed on Powerball.com.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X and Facebook. 

JR Motorsports — NCS & NXS Daytona International Speedway Preview

By
Official Release
-

JR Motorsports Cup Team Preview

TRACK – Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway)
NCS RACE – Daytona 500 (200 laps / 500 miles)
TUNE IN – FOX, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 2:30 p.m. (ET)

Justin Allgaier

No. 40 – Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet

Justin NCS Career Stats

Starts: 82

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 0

Top 10s: 1

Laps Led: 17

Avg. Finish: 27.4

Points: N/A

JR Motorsports, along with 10-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Chris Stapleton, have come together to field the inaugural entry for JRM in the NASCAR Cup Series in the 2025 running of the DAYTONA 500. In partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery, the World’s Most Award-Winning Distillery, JRM will field the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, inspired by the Blend No. 40 utilized in every bottle of Traveller Whiskey, for their maiden voyage in “The Great American Race” with the reigning and defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Justin Allgaier behind the wheel.

Allgaier has experience in the DAYTONA 500 having made two starts in the hallowed event during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, respectively.

Allgaier most recently competed at the Cup level during the 2024 season in substitution for 2021 Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson at Charlotte Motor Speedway, taking the checkered flag in the 13th position.

JRM’s quest for the DAYTONA 500 marks the first time that Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt-Miller have entered a race in the Cup Series as team owners. Under their leadership in the NXS, JRM has been a pillar of success, earning 88 wins and four championships with drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron, Tyler Reddick and most recently with Allgaier.

Justin Allgaier

“This weekend at Daytona is going to be extremely special. To be able to have the opportunity to be driving JR Motorsports’ first entry into the Cup Series is something that I will forever cherish. I know that we are going to have extremely fast Chevrolets in both series this weekend, and I can’t wait to get our Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet locked in. Once we accomplish that, I see no reason why we won’t be up front fighting for the win on both Saturday with our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, and on Sunday. I can’t say thank you enough to Traveller Whiskey, Dale (Earnhardt Jr.), Kelley (Earnhardt-Miller), Chris Stapleton, Rick Brandt, and everyone at JR Motorsports for all of their hard work throughout this offseason in order to make this weekend happen. JRM has always built unbelievably strong speedway cars, and I can’t wait to see what we can do when we get down there this weekend.”

JR Motorsports Xfinity Team Preview

TRACK – Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile superspeedway)
NXS RACE – United Rentals 300 (120 laps / 300 miles)
TUNE IN – CW, MRN, SiriusXM Channel 90 at 5:00 p.m. (ET)

Carson Kvapil

No. 1 – Bass Pro Shops / Clarience Technologies Chevrolet

Kvapil 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 9

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 4

Laps Led: 63

Avg. Finish: 13.2

Points: N/A

Carson Kvapil will make his full time NXS debut this weekend at Daytona after making nine starts for JRM during the 2024 season.

Across his nine previous NXS starts, Kvapil has recorded three top fives and four top 10s, with a best finish of second coming at Dover Motor Speedway last spring.

Kvapil is a two-time zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car champion for JRM, winning the crown in both 2022 and 2023. In his career, the 21-year-old driver made 47 starts, earned 12 victories and eight poles, notching 36 top-five and 40 top-10 finishes in one of the premier short-track series in the country.

Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies will continue their support of Kvapil for the first of 23 primary paint schemes at the season opener this weekend.

Carson Kvapil

“I am really looking forward to getting to Daytona this weekend and getting the season started. We have been putting in a lot of work during the offseason at the sim and I know Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) and the rest of this No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Technologies team is going to set me up for success. I can’t thank Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies enough for their support and I hope we can get some great finishes for them. I know we have a lot to learn, but we’re going to take it one race at a time and try not to have too many bad days along the way.”

Justin Allgaier

No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet

Allgaier 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 33

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 10

Top 10s: 20

Laps Led: 709

Avg. Finish: 13.5

Points: 1st

Allgaier kicks off his NXS title defense at “The World Center of Racing” with cornerstone partner BRANDT Professional Agriculture onboard his No. 7 Chevrolet.

In 28 career NXS starts at Daytona, the reigning, defending, undisputed NXS Champion has scored one win, eight top fives and 14 top 10s.

Allgaier’s lone victory at the famed superspeedway came in dramatic fashion, as the JRM driver captured the checkered flag in a photo finish during the summer event in 2023.

The Illinois native comes into the new year fresh off a 2024 championship campaign that saw Allgaier earn two wins, 10 top fives and 20 top 10s.

Sammy Smith

No. 8 TMC Chevrolet

Smith 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 33

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 7

Top 10s: 16

Laps Led: 65

Avg. Finish: 15.2

Points: 11th

Sammy Smith returns for his second year with JRM and his first full season with crew chief, Phillip Bell after the pair came together for the final 10 races of 2024.

Smith will run a familiar looking No. 8 in 2025 as the new season marks the return of the iconic stylized No. 8 previously driven by team owner Earnhardt Jr,

Smith is the most recent winner in the NXS on a drafting track, having gone to Victory Lane last fall at Talladega Speedway.

TMC Transportation, based out of Des Moines, IA, will be kicking off the season with Smith with the first of six primary races for their hometown driver.

Sammy Smith

“I’m really proud of the work Phillip (Bell, crew chief) and this entire No. 8 team has done the past few months to start the season off strong. We came together for the final 10 races of last year and I think we learned a lot in a short amount of time that we can apply to this 2025 season. We know that these superspeedways aren’t always a good reflection of all the hard work we put in because anything can happen and it happens fast. Our win at Talladega last year proves that we have what it takes though and we expect to go out and do the same this weekend in Daytona with TMC.”

Connor Zilisch

No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet

Zilisch 2024 NXS Stats

Starts: 4

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 3

Top 10s: 3

Laps Led: 45

Avg. Finish: 5.3

Points: N/A

Connor Zilisch is set to begin his first full-time NXS season in the United Rentals 300 at Daytona on Saturday afternoon.

Zilisch enters the 2025 season on the heels of a successful debut with JRM in 2024 when he won in his first-ever NXS start at Watkins Glen International. Zilisch started on the pole and led the most laps (45 of 90) on the way to scoring the victory. He also led all drivers with an average running position of 4.39 during the 200-mile event.

This will be Zilisch’s first NASCAR race on the 2.5-mile oval at Daytona. He has previously competed in the NASCAR Truck Series race at Talladega this past October, giving him familiarity to the drafting style of racing.

Zilisch is no stranger to success at the World Center of Racing. He won the 2024 Rolex 24 IMSA race in the LMP2 class with ERA Motorsports.

Connor Zilisch

“It’s going to be really important to have a good run in Daytona. Starting off the season on a positive note is obviously good for my confidence and for the WeatherTech team’s confidence as well. There are definitely some challenges going to a superspeedway race with not a lot of experience. Those tracks are a lot different than what I’m used to. One of the biggest things at Daytona is making it to the end of the race. A lot can happen at Daytona. We’re going to do everything we can with my spotter and team to keep us out of trouble and keep us in the race.”

JRM Team Updates

JR Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway: JR Motorsports has competed at Daytona International Speedway, the organization’s winningest track, a combined 116 times in the NXS. In those starts at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, the organization has recorded eight wins, 29 top-fives and 46 top-10s. The average finish is 16.1.

Souvenir Rig: JRM drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch will be signing autographs at the JR Motorsports / Legacy MC souvenir rig on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET.

William Byron chasing second consecutive Daytona 500 victory in eighth start

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by David Myers for SpeedwayMedia.com.

William Byron’s status as a NASCAR competitor was elevated to the ultimate height as he etched his name in the record books as a first-time Daytona 500 champion a year ago. Now entering the 2025 season as the reigning winner of the Great American Race, a potential feat is on the line for Byron and his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) Chevrolet team. With the driver poised to make his eighth 500 career start, he will also attempt to become the fifth competitor overall to win the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway in back-to-back seasons.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Byron made his Daytona 500 debut in 2018, in his first full season in the Cup Series. After winning the Xfinity Series championship with JR Motorsports, he was assigned to pilot HMS’ iconic No. 24 entry. Starting in 33rd place, Byron finished in 23rd place after he was scored four laps behind the leaders after he was involved in two separate incidents. The first was due to a nine-car accident on the final lap of the first stage period and a single spin after he cut a right-rear tire with 11 laps remaining.

The following season, Byron commenced his sophomore Cup campaign by winning the pole position for the 61st running of the Daytona 500 and his first career pole in NASCAR’s premier series. In doing so, the Charlotte native notched the 700th Cup pole for the Chevrolet nameplate and became the 42nd competitor to claim a pole award for the Great American Race. In addition, he also became the third competitor overall to steer the No. 24 HMS Chevrolet entry to a Daytona 500 pole alongside Jeff Gordon and Chase Elliott.

Byron led 44 laps and was racing towards the front in the closing laps when he was involved in an eight-car wreck during a two-lap shootout. He was unable to finish and was relegated to 21st place in the final running order.

Byron’s late accident in 2019 would mark the first of five consecutive DNFs in the Daytona 500 for the driver of the No. 24 HMS Chevrolet team. In 2020, he won the second Duel event that awarded him the fourth-starting spot for the 62nd Daytona 500. But while racing in a draft with his HMS teammates Ricky Stenhouse Jr. made contact with him on Lap 58 sending Byron spinning towards the backstretch’s infield.

He made head-on contact with the inside wall, which relegated him to a finish at the rear of the field in 40th place. Byron finished 26th and 38th, respectively, during his next two Daytona 500 starts when he was eliminated early amid multi-car wrecks. He then sustained a fifth consecutive DNF in the 65th running of the Great American Race in 2023 after he was collected in a 13-car pileup exiting the backstretch.

Then in 2024, Byron struck gold in his seventh attempt at winning the Daytona 500 after he emerged ahead of teammate Alex Bowman at the moment of caution on the final lap after both Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric spun and wrecked through the frontstretch. Byron also narrowly avoided a 23-car pileup with nine laps remaining after he got loose while being bump-drafted by Bowman. He then clipped Brad Keselowski sending Keselowski spinning exiting the backstretch and clipping pole-sitter Joey Logano as the pileup ensued.

With the victory, Byron, who only led the final four laps, became the 43rd competitor overall to win the Great American Race as he recorded the 26th 500 victory for the Chevrolet nameplate. It was also the first for the No. 24 HMS team since Jeff Gordon made the previous accomplishment in 2005. In addition, Byron’s season-opening victory at Daytona International Speedway allowed HMS to tie Petty Enterprises for the most Daytona 500 victories recorded by an organization at nine.

Through seven previous starts in the Daytona 500, Byron has achieved one victory, one pole, 49 laps led and an average finishing result of 26.1. A second victory in 2025 would make the Charlotte native the 13th competitor overall to achieve multiple Daytona 500 victories and he would make HMS the winningest organization of the Daytona 500 at 10. In addition, he would join Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin and Denny Hamlin as the only competitors to win back-to-back Daytona 500 events.

This week, Byron, who finished in third place in the 2024 driver’s standings, will participate in a single-car qualifying session on Wednesday, February 12, and in one of two Duel events on Thursday, February 13, to determine his starting lineup for this year’s Daytona 500. The qualifying session on Wednesday will air at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS1 while the Duels will air at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

The 2025 Daytona 500 will air this upcoming Sunday, February 16, with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Front Row Motorsports: Daytona NCTS Race Advance (Layne Riggs / Chandler Smith)

By
Official Release
-

Layne Riggs | Chandler Smith

Daytona International Speedway NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race Advance
Fresh From Florida 250
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Event: Race 1 of 25
Series: NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series
Location: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-miles)
#of Laps: 100
Time/TV/Radio: 7:30 PM ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM channel 90

Layne Riggs Notes

Layne Riggs will make his return to the Daytona International Speedway to start his sophomore season. After a successful rookie season in the No. 38 Ford F-150 which was highlighted with back-to-back wins at the Milwaukee Mile and the Bristol Motor Speedway, as well as Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors, Riggs will get behind the wheel of the newly minted No. 34 Ford F-150.

Love’s RV STOP will kick their season off with Riggs this Friday night. Last season, Love’s RV STOP helped fuel Riggs Rookie of the Year campaign, partnering with the driver in multiple races during the 2024 season and even visiting Victory Lane at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

“I’m ready for Daytona this season,” said Riggs. “While I don’t have many laps on the track itself, my experience at Talladega has given me a better feel for superspeedway racing. We got off to a slow start last season, but things started clicking as the year went on. Hopefully, we can carry some momentum from 2024 into 2025 and start strong. If we minimize mistakes and put ourselves in a good position, there’s no reason we can’t win Daytona.”

Road Crew

Driver: Layne Riggs

Crew Chief: Dylan Cappello

Truck Chief: Alex Lacognata

Engineer: Jonathan Coates

Mechanic: Clark Houston

Mechanic: Brandon Selph

Tire / Interior Specialist: Robert Benzenhafer

Spotter: Josh Williams

Transport Driver: John Franceskino

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Blake Hickman

Rear Tire Changer: Steven Chereek

Tire Carrier: Alvin Wilson

Jackman: Landon Honeycutt

Fueler: Dan Mrak

Chandler Smith’s Notes

Chandler Smith makes his Front Row Motorsports debut this Friday night. Long John Silver’s will partner with Smith in his debut, bringing the fan-favorite blue and yellow “Fish Yeah” scheme to the 100-lap event.

In his debut, Smith will get behind the wheel of the No. 38 Ford F-150. The No. 38 has a rich history at the historic superspeedway, capturing back-to-back wins in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Series event in 2022 and 2023.

Statistically, the Daytona International Speedway has been a good track for Smith, averaging a 10.3 finishing position at the venue.

“I’m excited for this new chapter in my career with Front Row Motorsports,” said Smith. “I have a talented team around me, all who have the same motivation as me. While there may be some growing pains since we’re a new group, I’m confident that things will come together quickly, and we’ll be competing for wins.”

Road Crew

Driver: Chandler Smith

Crew Chief: Jon Leonard

Truck Chief: Ron Schutte

Engineer: Caleb Williams

Mechanic: Bradley Zilich

Mechanic: Alex Campbell

Tire / Interior Specialist: Kyle Clark

Spotter: Ryan Blanchard

Transport Driver: Mark Hadley

Pit Crew

Front Tire Changer: Garrett Wager

Rear Tire Changer: Jacob Ray

Tire Carrier: Paul Steele

Jackman: Ryan Selig

Fueler: Chris Webb

ABOUT LOVE’S

Love’s has been fueling customers’ journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and -operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company’s core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 651 locations in 42 states. Love’s continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love’s serves and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace are hallmarks of the company’s award-winning culture.

ABOUT LONG JOHN SILVER’S

Long John Silver’s was founded in 1969 and is on a mission to create treasured moments through high-quality food and bell-ringing service. With restaurants from sea to mouth-watering sea, Long John Silver’s continues building on a belief that the unique seafood experience from the coasts should be accessible to all. Learn more at ljsilvers.com or join the conversation via social media on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

ABOUT FRONT ROW MOTORSPORTS

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the NASCAR Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. The team is the 2021 Daytona 500 and 2022 Craftsman Truck Series champions. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields the No. 4, No. 34, and the No. 38 NASCAR Cup Series teams along with the No. 34 and No. 38 Craftsman Truck Series teams from its Mooresville, N.C. headquarters. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

Jimmie Johnson to attempt 22nd Daytona 500 start in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to mark Jimmie Johnson’s 23rd year competing in at least one start in the series and third as an owner/driver of his team, Legacy Motor Club. With both the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on his radar for this upcoming season, Johnson’s quest to a milestone 700 starts in NASCAR’s premier series is en route. Before the quest for 700 further develops in late spring this year, he enters this week’s Daytona Speedweeks festivities at Daytona International Speedway with a unique milestone in place. Should Johnson achieve a starting spot for this year’s 67th running of the Daytona 500, it would mark his 22nd career start in the Great America Race.

A native of El Cajon, California, Johnson’s first Daytona 500 start occurred in 2002, where he was driving the No. 48 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS). For the event, he started on pole position, which marked his first pole of his Cup Series career and he became the first rookie competitor to win the pole for the Great American Race since Mike Skinner made the previous accomplishment in 1997. During the main event, Johnson was involved in two late-race incidents, including an 18-car pileup with 50 laps remaining, and settled in 15th place while being the first competitor a lap down. Over his next three Daytona 500 starts, Johnson finished in the top five. Within the span, he finished as high as third in 2003 while he finished fifth in his next two starts.

Then came the 2006 season, where Johnson and the No. 48 HMS Chevrolet team commenced a new year of racing under scrutiny due to crew chief Chad Knaus being suspended for the majority of the Daytona Speedweeks festivities, including the 48th running of the Daytona 500. Knaus was suspended for making illegal modifications to the rear window of Johnson’s car during the pole position qualifying trials. As a result, engineer Darian Grubb replaced the suspended Knaus for the Great American Race. During the 2006 Daytona 500, Johnson proceeded to lead 24 of 203 over-scheduled laps and fended off the field during a two-lap shootout, including late challenges from Ryan Newman and Casey Mears, to win in his fifth start in the season-opening event. With the victory, he became the 30th competitor to win the Great American Race as he also recorded the sixth 500 victory for Hendrick Motorsports and the 19th for the Chevrolet nameplate. The 2006 Daytona 500 win would mark the first of five season victories for Johnson, who would also win the non-points All-Star Race and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before he achieved his first Cup Series championship.

Following his first victory in 2006, Johnson would then endure a difficult stretch over his next six Daytona 500 starts. Despite winning his second Daytona 500 pole in 2008, he averaged a finishing result of 33.5 and finished no higher than 27th twice, both of which occurred in 2008 and 2011. Within the stretch, he did not finish in three Daytona 500s: two in 2007 and 2012 due to accidents and one in 2010 due to a rear axle issue. In addition, he was involved in on-track incidents in all but the 2010 event. Amid the low Daytona 500 results, Johnson rallied to win the overall Cup Series’ championship from 2007 to 2010.

Then in 2013, Johnson rose back to the occasion and notched his second Daytona 500 victory in an event where he led 17 of 200 laps, including the final 10, and fended off a last-lap charge from teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. As a result, the five-time Cup champion became the 10th competitor to win the Great American Race multiple times as he delivered the seventh 500 victory for HMS and the 22nd for the Chevrolet nameplate. He also delivered the first Daytona 500 triumph for his five-time championship-winning crew chief Chad Knaus. Ironically, Johnson, who was making his 12th 500 start, won in his 400th career start in NASCAR’s premier series, where he joined Lee Petty, Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dave Marcis and Dale Earnhardt as competitors who have also achieved the similar feat. Similar to the 2006 season, Johnson would proceed to win the 2013 overall championship with Knaus, which marked the sixth of the duo’s illustrious career.

Since winning his second victory in 2013, Johnson would finish in the top nine three times over his next seven Daytona 500 starts. Within the span, he finished as high as fifth twice in back-to-back seasons during 2014 and 2015. Amid the results, he was strapped with three DNFs over his final four Daytona 500 starts as a full-time competitor, including his final one during 2020 campaign. By then, he had achieved his record-tying seventh Cup Series championship in 2016 and was preparing to transition into the NTT IndyCar Series division with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Beginning in 2023, Johnson returned to NASCAR competition, where he purchased an ownership stake in Legacy Motor Club (LMC), an organization that had been rebranded from Petty GMS Motorsports and Richard Petty Motorsports. As part of his ownership, Johnson would also compete in select Cup events in the No. 84 LMC Chevrolet entry, which included the Daytona 500. During Johnson’s first qualifying trials in the No. 84 entry, he qualified for the 65th running of the Daytona 500, which marked his 20th entrance into the Great American Race. Despite racing in the top-10 mark in the closing stages, he was involved in an overtime accident and settled in 31st place.

This past season, where LMC changed manufacturers from Chevrolet to Toyota, Johnson did not guarantee himself a spot for the 66th running of the Daytona 500 based on his qualifying speed, but he managed to overtake veteran J.J. Yeley on the final lap to claim a transfer spot from the first Daytona Duel. During the main event, however, Johnson was involved in a multi-car wreck on the fifth lap and could climb his way no higher than 28th in the final running order.

Through 21 previous starts in the Daytona 500, Johnson has achieved two victories, two poles, seven top-five results, eight top-10 results, 151 laps led and an average-finishing result of 20.6. Currently, he holds the most career starts in the season-opening event among the 45 competitors entered to compete in 2025. In addition to notching a starting berth for the 500 for a 22nd time, a victory in 2025 would move him into a five-way tie for the third-most Daytona 500 victories in history alongside Bobby Allison, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Dale Jarrett. It would also mark the fourth overall victory for the Toyota nameplate in the Great American Race and the first for Legacy Motor Club under its new branded name as Johnson holds major ownership of the organization. As an added bonus, Johnson would become the first competitor to repeat as a Daytona 500 champion since Denny Hamlin made the previous accomplishment in 2020.

Since Johnson is competing in a non-chartered entry, he will have to earn a starting spot for this year’s Daytona 500 either through the Cup Series’ pole qualifying session on Wednesday, February 12, or through one of two Daytona Duels on Thursday, February 13, while also outpacing additional non-chartered competitors. The qualifying session on Wednesday will begin airing at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS1 while the Duels will begin airing at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

The 2025 Daytona 500 is scheduled to occur on February 16 with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

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