MOORESVILLE, NC, February 11, 2025 – NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Nick Leitz today announced he is partnering with Dexerdry for the BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19.
“The Dexerdry team is extremely excited to be one of the corporate sponsors for the 07 car in the Xfinity series for 2025. Super stoked for July 19 at The Monster Mile in Dover!” said John Ardolina, president and CEO of Dexerdry.
Dexerdry is a New Jersey-based manufacturer of thermoplastic inserts for weatherproofing deck surfaces. Dexerdry uses a patented above-joist weather diverting system for decks, porches and balconies that prevents water and debris from falling through the seams of deck boards providing more outdoor living experiences. Dexerdry provides virtual dry space under any outside deck and is easy to install and maintain. It is an economical solution that provides more usable outdoor living space.
“I’m thrilled to bring Dexerdry into NASCAR,” said Leitz. “Dexerdry has a really innovative product, and I know NASCAR fans are going to love it.”
The BetRivers 200 (200 laps | 200 miles) is the 20th of 33 NASCAR Xfinity Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice starts on Saturday, July 19 at 11:05 a.m. followed immediately by qualifying. The field is set to take the green flag that afternoon at 4:30 p.m. with live coverage on The CW, the Performance Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are Eastern Standard Time.
Ryan Preece eying breakthrough season amidst RFK’s expansion
CONCORD, NC (Feb. 11, 2025) — Full throttle, triple threat — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) heads to Daytona this week, for the first time since 2016, with three full-time teams. Wheeling the No. 60 Build Submarines.com Ford is Ryan Preece, who joins Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher in the RFK stable.
RFK Racing announced this fall it was expanding in 2025, intensifying its competitive drive. In just a matter of months, with the season’s most prestigious race looming, a new team was formed. Roster additions include Preece and six new crew members. Derrick Finley, who joined RFK as Director of Operations in 2022, leads the team into the season as Crew Chief. In a short period of time this group has built strong chemistry, as well as a full fleet of cars; eagerly anticipating Daytona.
Preece made his RFK debut in the Clash at Bowman Gray on Feb. 2, where he showcased his short track talents; qualifying for NASCAR’s pre-season all-star exhibition and posting an 11th- place finish. Preece lays claim to a decorated resume that includes 82 Modified Tour wins, along with victories in both the Craftsman Truck and Xfinity series. Now the Berlin, CT driver is determined to build on that resume as he relentlessly pursues Cup Series success.
“The goal is to win,” said Preece. “I didn’t move down here (to Charlotte), make these sacrifices, and put my family through what we’ve done, to come down here and just be part of the show. That’s not who I am as a racer.”
Finley, a seasoned leader brings over 20 years of experience, holding roles including Technical Director, Competition Director and Crew Chief. Recently, he led the No. 60 team in a part time effort – three races – in 2024 with David Ragan (Daytona), Cam Waters (Sonoma), and Joey Hand (Chicago). Finley, who holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico, is undaunted by the challenge of leading this new team into the season.
“We have the infrastructure behind us. We have two teams that we can draw from,” said Finley, pointing to the success of RFK. The organization has posted six wins and three playoff appearances since 2022; the season Brad Keselowski became a team co-owner partnering with Hall of Fame owner Jack Roush and the Fenway Sports Group.
Keselowski vows his complete support to the 60-team and noting the addition is the natural next step for the organization.
“The goal is to become more competitive as an organization and this does that,” Keselowski said. “It gives us a chance to win more races and fiercely compete for the championship.”
Keselowski explains that adding a third team creates more financial efficiency, allows the organization to capture more data and elevates the team’s overall level of experience.
“Ryan and Derrick both bring a wealth of knowledge to the organization,” added Keselowski. “Ryan and Derrick have already brought fresh ideas to the organization and from that I’m confident we’ll make performance gains.”
Preece and Finley have gelled quickly, displaying immediate chemistry at Bowman Gray. Now the attention turns towards Daytona and the upcoming season.
“We have an RFK standard and that’s what we strive to achieve,” said Finley. “If we can do that will be fine.”
Greg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse and Trevor Bayne made up the most recent full-time RFK driver trio, when the organization fielded three cars in 2016. The team has fielded as many as five-full time Cup entries; at one point placing all-five in a 10-team NASCAR playoff.
About RFK Racing RFK Racing, in its 38th season in 2025, features an ownership lineup pairing one of the sport’s most iconic names, Jack Roush, along with NASCAR Champion, Brad Keselowski, and Fenway Sports Group owner John Henry. Roush initially founded the team in 1988 and it has since become one of the most successful racing operations in the world, propelling him to be the first NASCAR owner to amass three hundred wins and capturing eight championships, including back-to-back NASCAR Cup titles in 2003 and 2004. Keselowski, a former owner in the NASCAR Truck Series, is the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. In 2007, Roush partnered with Henry, who also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox, English Premier League’s Liverpool F.C., and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, to form Roush Fenway Racing. Off the track, RFK is a leader and proven winner in NASCAR marketing solutions, having produced multiple award-winning social media, digital content and experiential marketing campaigns. Visit rfkracing.com, and follow the team on all social platforms @rfkracing.
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season generates a new beginning for Michael McDowell as he will officially commence his first campaign with Spire Motorsports in this year’s 67th running of the Daytona 500, a crown-jewel event that elevated his racing career to elite status in 2021 and amid a previous 14-year difficult journey on track. Speaking of the number 14, it is a number that highlights McDowell’s upcoming start in the Great American Race as he will make his 14th career start in the 500.
A native of Glendale, Arizona, McDowell achieved his first starting berth for the Daytona 500 in 2010, where he piloted the No. 55 Toyota entry for PRISM Motorsports. By then, McDowell, who had campaigned in two Craftsman Truck Series events and 39 Xfinity Series events between 2007 to 2009, had finished in 14th place during the first Daytona Duel event and was one of two competitors, including Max Papis, to claim transfer spots into the Great American Race. Starting in 29th place during the 62nd Daytona 500, McDowell ended up in 33rd place and was strapped with a DNF due to a drive shaft issue.
After failing to qualify for the 2011 Daytona 500, McDowell returned to the event’s starting grid in 2012 while driving for Phil Parsons Racing, where he finished 30th despite starting 11th. He rebounded during the 2013 Daytona 500 by finishing ninth, which marked his first top-10 result in the event, before failing to qualify in 2014 while driving for Leavine Family Racing.
Over his next six Daytona 500 starts, McDowell notched two top-nine results and finished as high as fifth, the latter of which in 2019. Within the six-year span, the Arizona native drove for Leavine Family Racing from 2015 to 2017 before he joined Front Row Motorsports (FRM), beginning in 2018.
Then in 2021, McDowell, who was racing in third place on the final lap, avoided contact from Team Penske’s Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski exiting the backstretch to escape with the lead amid a fiery multi-car wreck. With the caution being displayed before the field could return to the finish line, McDowell was shown to be ahead of the field at the moment of caution and was awarded his first career victory in the Great American Race. With the victory, McDowell, who won in his 358th career start, became the 40th competitor to win the Daytona 500 and the eighth to do so while also claiming a first Cup career victory. He also awarded the third NASCAR victory for FRM and the 16th for the Ford nameplate.
Since his dramatic first victory in 2021, McDowell is coming off respective Daytona 500 finishes of seventh, 28th and 36th, all of which also mark his last three 500 events driving for FRM as he is set to compete for Spire Motorsports in 2025. Within the three-year span, he finished as high as seventh in 2022. During the 2024 event, he qualified on the front row and led six laps before he encountered a mechanical issue that resulted with him finishing 24 laps behind the leaders.
Through 13 previous starts in the Daytona 500, McDowell has achieved one victory, two top-five results, five top-10 results, eight laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.9. A second victory in 2025 would make McDowell the 13th competitor overall to achieve multiple Daytona 500 victories and the first to repeat as a champion of the Great American Race since Denny Hamlin made the previous accomplishment in 2020. In addition, he would notch the second Cup career victory for his new team, Spire Motorsports, and his first driving a Chevrolet entry.
This week, McDowell, who finished in 23rd 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 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 this upcoming Sunday, February 16, with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The restaurant brand is putting a spotlight on its world-famous margarita with full-length music video, paint scheme and head turning firesuit
DALLAS – Feb. 11, 2025 –Chili’s® Grill & Bar is shifting into high gear for the 2025 NASCAR season with the launch of its new ‘Ride the Dente’™ campaign. The campaign is part of a multi-race partnership extension with Spire Motorsports, celebrating Chili’s freshly rebranded Presidente Margarita®, which will be showcased across Chili’s owned social channels and on FOX during the race in Daytona this week.
The Presidente, or ‘Dente’, has been a menu staple since 1994, featuring reposado tequila, brandy, orange liqueur and a head-turning presentation. Chili’s team members walk through the restaurant, shaking the margarita loudly by hand, before pouring it into a handblown, blue-rimmed glass reserved only for the Presidente. It’s served alongside a blue shaker, that now features a refreshed logo, giving guests the opportunity to pour seemingly endless margaritas.
But the ‘Dente isn’t just a deliciously flashy margarita; it’s the answer to any occasion. Night out with friends? Ride the ‘Dente. Hard day at the office? Ride the ‘Dente. Chili’s returning to Daytona? Ride the ‘Dente. This philosophy, along with the iconic blue shaker and all the non-stop fun it stands for, comes to life in Chili’s new ‘Ride the ‘Dente’ country song and music video.
Ride the ‘Dente Country Song and Music Video
The full-length country song and music video – featuring the Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevy – spotlights a charismatic race-car-driver-turned country star, taking viewers on a wild ride from the racetrack to a larger-than-life celebration at Chili’s. Fans can watch the video on Chili’s YouTube channel, social media, and during race broadcasts throughout the NASCAR season.
“Our partnership with Spire Motorsports started as a way to bring Chili’s to the track and connect with NASCAR fans over what we do best – serving up our famous Presidente Margaritas,” said George Felix, Chili’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This year, we’re cranking it up a notch. We wanted to take our relationship with NASCAR fans to the next level, and what better way than breaking into country music to tell the story of the ‘Dente? ‘Ride the ‘Dente’ will be the newest Chili’s earworm – and hopefully the new shorthand for grabbing a marg at Chili’s. And this is just the beginning of what we have planned this season.”
Spire Motorsport Partnership Renewal
Chili’s multi-race partner extension with Spire Motorsports kicks off with Daytona-winning racer Justin Haley and championship-winning crew chief Rodney Childers making their points racing debut together in the No. 7 Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevrolet ZL1 throughout Daytona Speedweeks. It culminates with the 67th annual Daytona 500 Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
“We are beyond grateful to have Chili’s on this journey with us again in 2025,” said Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson. “We expect big things from Justin, Rodney and that whole No. 7 group this year, but we learn something every day from everyone at Chili’s and love how they push the envelope with their activations and promotions. The car looks great, the firesuits stand out and every time we’ve sat down at the table with Chili’s, they always come up with something new and creative. It’s inspiring and it’s obviously working when you see the growth that they’ve experienced. There is so much that our organization can learn from Chili’s, and I ask our team to match that energy every day.”
On the track, Chili’s Ride the ‘Dente Chevy’s design ties western flourishes with a custom Ride the ‘Dente logo on the hood. Justin Haley will sport a showstopping firesuit featuring a personalized Texas-sized belt buckle detail, faux denim jeans and a western, button-down motif. A close look at the Chili’s pepper logos on the doors reveals the names of all 1,105 general managers at corporate-owned Chili’s restaurants – honoring the hardworking teams that bring the Chili’s experience to life every day.
“I’m pumped to have Chili’s back on board the No. 7, especially in the Daytona 500,” said Haley. “It’s one of my favorite tracks and the Daytona 500 is a race I’ve been looking forward to since my return to Spire. We had a lot of fun last year and I’m excited to see what we get into this year. There’s no better way for fans to gear up for the Great American Race than to pour a couple of ‘Dentes and settle in for 500 miles of chaos at Daytona. We’ll do our best to put the No. 7 Chevy up front and Ride the ‘Dente all the way to Victory Lane.”
Race fans in the Daytona area have a chance to meet Haley and fellow Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar and see the No. 7 Ride the ‘Dente Chevy at Chili’s Ormond Beach this Friday, Feb. 14 at noon. The drivers will be signing autographs, taking part in a Q&A session with Barstool Sports’ Rubbin’ is Racing podcast hosts Spider and Large, and shaking Presidente Margaritas of their own.
Chili’s will also hit the track on Saturday, Feb. 15 for the Chili’s ‘Ride the ‘Dente’ 200 at Daytona International Speedway, the season-opening event for the ARCA Menards Series. Marking Chili’s first as an official entitlement partner, the green flag drops at noon ET.
For Chili’s guests who aren’t in Daytona, the opportunity to Ride the ‘Dente always exists on the menu at their local Chili’s, including on one of Chili’s favorite days of the year, National Margarita Day. On Saturday, Feb. 22, guests can stop by their local Chili’s to enjoy the margarita that delights millions each year and Ride the ‘Dente themselves.
About Chili’s® Grill & Bar Hi, welcome to Chili’s! We are a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). We are known for our Big Mouth Burgers ®, Chicken Crispers®, full-on sizzling fajitas, and hand-shaken margaritas. We take our food seriously – but not ourselves – because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Our passion is making everyone feel special, and every day, our ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across almost 1,600 restaurants in 27 countries and 2 territories. And Chili’s cares. We host local Give Back Events to support kids, education, and hunger and have raised more than $110 million benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through generous guest donations. Find more information about us at chilis.com, follow us on X or Instagram, like us on Facebook, or join us on TikTok.
About Spire Motorsports Spire Motorsports earned its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series victory in its first full season of competition when Justin Haley took the checkered flag in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on July 7, 2019. Less than three years later, William Byron drove Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado to its inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win on April 7, 2022, at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. The team’s most recent win came on April 12, 2024, when Kyle Busch took the checkered flag in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.
In 2025, Spire Motorsports will campaign the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolets in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team will also field the Nos. 07, 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and the No. 77 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series in select events.
Battle of the Harvicks Set for May 31 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway
Harrisburg, N.C. (February 11, 2025) – Twelve years in the making, the stage is set for Kevin and Keelan Harvick to compete against each other for the first time on May 31 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. The duo will compete in Pro Late Model competition, and it’s not just about the win, it’s for bragging rights in the Harvick household.
While competing against the younger Harvick has been on Kevin’s mind since his now 12-year-old son started racing, the stars aligned perfectly to make the first outing for the duo special.
“Racing Keelan in my hometown for the first time is a pretty cool dad moment,” Kevin Harvick said. “Bakersfield has meant so much in the progression of my racing career, and being able to tie that together with the beginning of Keelan’s racing career is pretty special.”
A native of Bakersfield, Kevin will return to his hometown to race at the track that bears his name and pilot the No. 29 Hunt Brothers® Pizza late model, a number that is significant and synonymous with the NASCAR champion’s storied career.
The younger Harvick, fresh off his first Limited Late Model win in the Icebreaker at Florence Motor Speedway this past weekend, will climb behind the wheel of the No. 62 Hunt Brothers Pizza late model, a number he has run his entire young career and one with family ties three generations deep to his grandfather John Paul Linville, DeLana Harvick’s father.
To say the weekend will be special for the Harvick family is an understatement.
“My dad has helped me so much in my short racing career,” Keelan Harvick said. “Being able to race against him for the first time is pretty cool, and it’s something we’ve talked about for a long time. I hope I come out on top, because if not, he won’t stop bragging about it.”
With a career spanning more than three decades, Kevin transitioned to not just racer, but to the role of racing dad when Keelan made his debut in 2020. Since then, Kevin has retired from full-time NASCAR competition, and Keelan has raced around the world and begun forging his own path with multiple championships from go-karts to Legend Cars. Now the duo finds itself in a position to compete against each other as Keelan begins his transition to full body stock cars, while Kevin is along to guide, mentor and show the younger Harvick how it’s done on the track. The family bond, and natural rivalry, run deep.
For the historical moment, longtime partner Hunt Brothers Pizza will join the pair as primary partner on both Harvick cars. A family-owned business, Hunt Brothers Pizza started with Kevin early in his career at Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) and watched him grow into a NASCAR champion and father. As Kevin’s career progressed and Keelan began racing, Hunt Brothers Pizza was one of the first partners to join Keelan. Remaining a staple with the Harvicks, Hunt Brothers Pizza has been a part of multiple milestones with the Harvick family, and this one will be no different.
“It’s humbling to be part of this special race, the Harvick family is an important part of the Hunt Brothers Pizza family,” said Scott Hunt, CEO Hunt Brothers Pizza. “Sponsoring Kevin over the past 16 years has been an incredible journey, and now supporting the next generation with Keelan is a lot of fun. While my grandson, Carson will be cheering for his buddy Keelan, I’m hoping for a safe and competitive race with a Hunt Brothers Pizza car in victory lane.”
The Battle of the Harvicks kicks off May 31 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, but fans will have multiple opportunities to see the duo compete against each other throughout 2025. Stay tuned to Kevin and Keelan’s social media channels as more races are announced and to see who earns the bragging rights in the Harvick household.
About Hunt Brothers Pizza:
With more than 10,000 locations across the country, Hunt Brothers® Pizza is the nation’s largest brand of made-to-order pizza in the convenience store industry. Hunt Brothers Pizza offers original and thin crust pizzas available as a grab-and-go Hunk A Pizza®, perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle, or as a customizable whole pizza that is an exceptional value with All Toppings No Extra Charge®. Hunt Brothers Pizza is family-owned and operated.
About Kevin Harvick Inc.:
Established in 2001 by NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his wife DeLana, Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI) competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series and ARCA Series through the 2011 NASCAR season. During that time, KHI earned 10 Xfinity Series wins, 45 Truck Series wins and three Truck Series championships, including two championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday, Jr. Following the 2011 season, KHI stepped away from full-time competition until its return in 2023.
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At a venue that nearly claimed his life in 2015, Austin Dillon responded back at Daytona International Speedway with both redemption and pure elation three years later as he steered the iconic No. 3 Richard Childress Racing (RCR) Chevrolet entry to the biggest victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career: the 60th running of the Daytona 500.
Fast forward to the year 2025, Dillon now prepares to commence his 12th consecutive campaign as a full-time Cup competitor with an opportunity to add a second Daytona 500 victory to his resume. As he pursues this feat, he will do so while also making his 13th career start in this year’s Great American Race.
A native of Welcome, North Carolina, Dillon made his first Daytona 500 career start in 2013, where he piloted the No. 33 Chevrolet entry for RCR. Three days prior to the main event, he claimed a transfer spot for the event after he finished in third place during the second of two Duel events. Starting in eighth place, Dillon settled in 31st place after he was involved in a nine-car wreck with 63 laps remaining.
The following season, Dillon, who was coming off his first Xfinity Series championship, captured an early spotlight by winning the pole position for the 56th Daytona 500 in his first Cup qualifying trials piloting the No. 3 RCR Chevrolet entry. By then, it marked the first time the No. 3 was being sported for a Cup Series event since the late seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt lost his life amid a final-lap accident from the 2001 Daytona 500. With Dillon winning his first Cup Series pole, the North Carolina native became the first rookie candidate to claim the top-starting spot for the season-opening event since Jimmie Johnson made the previous accomplishment in 2002 and he awarded the first Daytona 500 pole for the No. 3 since Earnhardt made the previous feat in 1996. After leading the first lap during the main event in 2014, Dillon rallied from being involved in a late multi-car accident and triggering two wrecks in the closing stages to finish in ninth place.
Over his next three Daytona 500 starts, Dillon achieved a second ninth-place finish in 2016 while he ended up 14th and 19th during the 2015 and 2017 events, respectively.
Then in 2018, Dillon, who restarted in fourth place during an overtime shootout, turned Aric Almirola on the final lap and rocketed his way to win the 60th Daytona 500 for his second Cup Series career victory. As a result, Dillon, who only led the final lap, became the 39th competitor to win the Great American Race as he notched the third 500 victory for RCR, the 24th for the Chevrolet nameplate and the first for the No. 3 since Dale Earnhardt achieved his first elusive 500 victory in 1998 amid 20 previous attempts. Fittingly, Dillon’s 2018 Daytona 500 victory occurred on February 18th, the exact date to which RCR achieved its previous 500 victory with Kevin Harvick in 2007.
Following the breakthrough victory in 2018, Dillon would finish in the top 16 during his next two Daytona 500 starts before he claimed a strong third-place result in 2021 after dodging a final-lap multi-car wreck. Since then, he is coming off a three-race stretch of finishing as high as 25th place in the 500.
Through 12 previous starts in the Daytona 500, Dillon has achieved one victory, one pole, two top-five results, four top-10 results, 18 laps led and an average-finishing result of 17.4. A second victory in 2025 would make Dillon the 13th competitor overall to achieve multiple Daytona 500 victories and record the fourth Great American Race victory for RCR, which would move the organization into a tie with Joe Gibbs Racing in having the third-most 500 victories all-time. In addition, Dillon would record the 27th 500 victory for the Chevrolet nameplate and he would become the first repeat winner of the event since Denny Hamlin notched his third 500 victory in 2020.
This week, Dillon, who finished in 32nd 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 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 this upcoming Sunday, February 16, with a starting broadcast time of 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
NASCAR heads to Daytona International Speedway Sunday afternoon to kick off the 2024 regular season with the 67th Daytona 500. The ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series will compete at Daytona preceding the “Great American Race.”
Chartered Cars
The 36 Chartered cars are guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 with their starting positions determined through single-car qualifying and the Duel races. This leaves four positions available for non-chartered (Open) cars. The two fastest non-charter cars in single-car qualifying will claim a spot in the race. The final two spots will go to the highest-finishing non-Charter car in each Duel race.
Open Exemption Provisional
This year NASCAR has instituted a new Open Exemption Provisional for an invited driver which NASCAR can award on a case-by-case basis. In January they announced. that Hélio Castroneves was granted the provisional for the Daytona 500. Castroneves will be competing in the No. 91 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.
Single-Car Qualifying
In single-car qualifying, each driver will run one lap. The 10 fastest drivers will advance to Round 2 to determine the pole position. The two fastest drivers will start on the front row for the Daytona 500.
Duels
The Duels will determine positions from third to 40th. The finishing order from Duel No. 1 will make up the inside rows and Duel No. 2 will make up the outside rows for the Daytona 500.
All times are Eastern.
Wednesday, Feb. 12
10:05-10:55 a.m. – Cup Series Practice 1 – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM 12:30 p.m.: Daytona 500 Media Day – Live Stream 8:15 p.m. – Cup Series Qualifying FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Post Cup Series Qualifying: Press Pass
Thursday, Feb. 13
4:05-4:55 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Practice – No TV 5:05-5:55 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series Practice – FS1 7 p.m.: Cup Series Duel 1 (60 laps, 150 miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Post Duel 1 – Press Pass 8:45 p.m.: Cup Series Duel 2 (60 laps, 150 miles) FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Post Duel 2 – Press Pass
Friday, Feb. 14
1:30 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series Qualifying – No TV 3 p.m.: Truck Series Qualifying – FS1 4:35 p.m.: Xfinity Series Practice 5:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice 2 – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM 7:40 p.m.: Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250 race – FS1/MRN/SiriusXM Post Truck Series Race – Press Pass
Saturday, Feb. 15
10 a.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying – CW – Canceled due to rain Noon: Daytona ARCA 200 race (80 laps, 200 miles) FOX/MRN/SiriusXM 3:05 p.m.: Cup Series Practice 3 – FS2/MRN/ SiriusXM 5 p.m. – Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 (120 laps, 300 miles) CW/MRN/SiriusXM
Johnny Sauter will be reuniting with ThorSport Racing for the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway.
Sauter, the 2016 Truck Series champion from Necedah, Wisconsin, will be piloting ThorSport’s No. 66 Ford F-150 entry at the World Center of Racing. In addition, Doug George, who worked with three competitors over three organizations in 2024, is listed to work as Sauter’s crew chief for this year’s season-opening event.
The announcement comes as Sauter is coming off a part-time Truck campaign in 2024, where he competed between three organizations in five-scheduled starts: ThorSport, Niece Motorsports and Hattori Racing Enterprises. During the five-race stint, the Wisconsin veteran finished a season-high 17th place at Texas Motor Speedway. Previously, he qualified on the front row for the 2024 opener at Daytona, led 24 laps and won the first stage period before he ended up in 29th place after he was eliminated in a four-truck incident in the closing laps.
Sauter, who won the 2001 American Speed Association (ASA) Series National Tour title, made his Truck Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway with Fasscore Motorsports in 2003, where he finished 25th after starting 23rd. Between 2004 to 2006, he made a total of 10 Truck starts and notched a second-place run at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2004. Then after making a single Truck start in 2008, Sauter began campaigning in the Truck division as a full-time competitor, which began in 2009 and lasted through 2021. Through 300 full-time starts, he recorded 24 victories while competing for ThorSport and GMS Racing. In addition, he claimed his first series’ championship in 2016 while driving for GMS. He also finished in the top-10 mark in the final standings from 2009 to 2019 and made the series’ Playoffs from 2016 to 2019.
Through 325 previous starts in the Truck Series, Sauter has recorded 24 victories, nine poles, 116 top-five results, 186 top-10 results, 2,695 laps led and an average-finishing result of 11.4. He has also achieved three victories through 207 Xfinity Series starts and three top-10 results through 85 Cup Series starts.
At Daytona, Sauter holds the most victories all-time in the Truck Series at three, with his first victory occurring in 2013 while competing at ThorSport before he achieved his latter two with GMS in 2016 and 2018. Currently, he is one of three competitors along with Todd Bodine and Zane Smith to achieve multiple Truck victories at Daytona. This upcoming season, Sauter strives to add a fourth season-opening trophy to his wins record.
Thorsport Racing’s plans for its No. 66 Ford entry for the remainder of the 2025 season remains to be determined.
The 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is scheduled to commence this upcoming Friday, February 14, at Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250. The event’s broadcast time is scheduled to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
The reigning NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ty Majeski will return as the driver of the No. 98 Ford F-150 entry for ThorSport Racing for the upcoming racing season.
The news comes as the 30-year-old Majeski from Seymour, Wisconsin, is coming off a championship-winning season, where he notched a total of three victories, six poles, 10 top-five results, 14 top-10 results, a career-high 600 laps led and an average-finishing result of 10.7.
After winning the final two regular-season events on the 2024 schedule at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and Richmond Raceway, respectively, Majeski utilized consistency to transfer all the way to the Championship 4 round. He then led all but 18 of 150-scheduled laps during the finale at Phoenix Raceway and clinched his first series’ championship by winning the finale and outpacing title rivals Corey Heim, Christian Eckes and Grant Enfinger. As a result, Majeski became the 21st competitor overall to win a Truck Series championship and he delivered the sixth series’ title for ThorSport Racing.
Majeski, who previously claimed five titles in the ARCA Midwest Tour division and won the Snowball Derby late model event twice, finished in 11th place during his Truck Series debut at Phoenix Raceway in 2019, where he drove for Niece Motorsports. Despite campaigning through the first 15-scheduled events with Niece in 2020, he was dropped for the remaining eight events, but he returned during the following season in four events with ThorSport Racing.
Since 2022, Majeski competes in the Truck Series on a full-time basis with ThorSport. In addition to winning the 2024 championship as a ThorSport competitor, the Wisconsin native notched his first two career victories during the 2022 Playoffs and claimed a Championship 4 berth, where he settled in fourth place in the final standings. In 2023, he managed to secure a victory at Indianapolis during the Playoffs before he settled in eighth place in the standings after he fell short of returning to the final Playoff round.
Through 89 previous starts in the Truck Series, Majeski has accumulated one championship, six victories, 11 poles, 28 top-five results, 48 top-10 results, 1,390 laps led and an average-finishing result of 12.3. Entering the 2025 season, he will attempt to join teammate Matt Crafton as the only competitors to achieve back-to-back Truck Series championships. As for Majeski’s No. 98 Ford team, Soda Sense will serve as his key primary sponsor while veteran Joe Shear Jr., the reigning two-time Truck Series championship-winning crew chief, will return atop the No. 98 ThorSport pit box.
With his plans for the upcoming season set, Ty Majeski’s 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is scheduled to commence next Friday, February 14, at Daytona International Speedway for the Fresh From Florida 250. The event’s broadcast time is slated to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
