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Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to make 14th Daytona 500 start in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season features Ricky Stenhouse Jr. competing with his same organization from the previous five seasons, but one that has been rebranded under a new identity: Hyak Motorsports. As Stenhouse prepares to pursue a second Daytona 500 victory in this year’s 67th running of the Great American Race, he will do so with a milestone start of his own for the event. By taking the green flag in this year’s season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway, the driver of the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet entry will reach 14 starts in the 500.

A native of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Stenhouse’s first Daytona 500 career start occurred in 2012, where he piloted the No. 6 Ford entry for Roush Fenway Racing (RFR). By then, he was coming off his first Xfinity Series championship and was scheduled to make select Cup starts while also defend his Xfinity title with RFR. Starting in 21st place, Stenhouse rallied from being involved in an eight-car wreck through the frontstretch to finish in 20th place.

Beginning in 2013, Stenhouse, who achieved a second Xfinity title during the previous season, graduated to a full-time Cup Series driving role in RFR’s No. 17 Ford entry, which commenced with the Mississippi native finishing in 12th place during the 55th Daytona 500. He then notched his first top-10 result in the Great American Race by finishing seventh in 2014 before he finished no higher than 22nd during his next four starts. During his final 500 start with RFR in 2019, Stenhouse settled in 13th place.

For the 2020 season, Stenhouse swapped organizations with Chris Buescher as the former joined forces with JTG-Daugherty Racing to pilot the No. 47 Chevrolet entry. In his first qualifying trails in the No. 47 car, he captured the pole position for the 62nd Daytona 500. As a result, Stenhouse became the 43rd competitor to achieve the pole position for the Great American Race while also delivering the third career pole for JTG-Daugherty Racing and the eighth in a row for the Chevrolet nameplate. During the main event, Stenhouse led 24 laps and was in contention for the victory until he was penalized with nearly 40 laps remaining for driving below the double yellow lines through the backstretch. His moves were to avoid making contact with Ryan Blaney. Having to serve a pass-through penalty through pit road, Stenhouse’s event went from bad to worse during a cycle of green-flag pit stops with 28 laps remaining when he got hit by Erik Jones entering Turn 4 and spun. The incident damaged Stenhouse’s front hood, though he managed to pit without drawing a caution. As a result, he proceeded to finish in 20th place and three laps behind the leaders.

Over his next two Daytona 500 starts, Stenhouse finished 18th and 28th, respectively. During the latter finish in 2022, he was battling for the victory when he got sideways off of Brad Keselowski and wrecked with Chris Buescher in the frontstretch. Then in 2023, Stenhouse achieved his first victory in the Great American Race. The victory occurred after the Mississippi native stormed to the lead during an overtime shootout before a 13-car wreck sent the event into a second overtime attempt, to which Stenhouse received a draft from Christopher Bell to emerge ahead of Joey Logano with the lead before a final-lap, nine-car wreck concluded the event under caution. In addition, Stenhouse had enough fuel to finish the final lap under caution before he ran out while returning to the frontstretch to celebrate with his team. By winning the 65th Daytona 500, Stenhouse became the 42nd competitor to win the Great American Race as he scored his third Cup career victory and his first series’ victory in six years. In addition, the Mississippi native also recorded the second Cup career victory for JTG-Daugherty Racing and the 25th for the Chevrolet nameplate.

Through 13 previous starts in the Daytona 500, Stenhouse, who finished in 31st place during the 2024 event, has achieved one victory, two top-10 results, 77 laps led and an average-finishing result of 20.1. A second victory in 2025 would make Stenhouse become the 13th competitor overall to achieve multiple Daytona 500 victories and the first competitor to win the Great American Race twice within a three-year span since Michael Waltrip made the previous accomplishment in 2001 and 2003. In addition, Stenhouse would record the 27th 500 victory for the Chevrolet nameplate and the first for Hyak Motorsports under its new name.

This week, Stenhouse, who finished in 25th 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.

Beard Motorsports: Anthony Alfredo Daytona 500 Advance

By
Official Release
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ANTHONY ALFREDO
Daytona Speedweek
Pole Qualifying | Duel | Daytona 500
No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet Camaro

Event Overview

Wednesday, Feb. 12: Daytona 500 qualifying (single-lap qualifying to determine pole for the Daytona 500)

● Time/TV/Radio: 8 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Thursday, Feb. 13: The Duel at Daytona (twin 150-mile qualifying races that set the field for the Daytona 500)

● Time/TV/Radio: 7 p.m. ET on FS1/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Sunday, Feb. 16: 67th annual Daytona 500 (first of 36 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races in 2025)

● Time/TV/Radio: 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Notes of Interest

● Let the Games Begin. Beard Motorsports kicks off its ninth year of NASCAR Cup Series competition when its No. 62 Chevrolet hits the high-banked, 2.5-mile Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway oval in hopes of locking in a starting spot for Sunday’s 67th running of the Daytona 500. The family-owned team based in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, has competed in 30 Cup Series events since debuting in 2017, including 13 apiece at Daytona and its sister track, Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway. This will be the team’s ninth attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 and if successful, will be its seventh start in the Great American Race. Best among its previous appearances in the Daytona 500 was its seventh-place finish at the hands of veteran driver Brendan Gaughan in 2020.

● Alfredo Returns. Back behind the wheel for his fourth event in the No. 62 Chevrolet will be Anthony Alfredo, the 25-year-old from Ridgefield, Connecticut. Alfredo’s debut with the team at last year’s Daytona 500 got off to an impressive start as the NASCAR NEXT alumnus laid down the fastest lap among the six “open” (non-chartered) teams in Wednesday-night’s single-car qualifying session, securing a spot on the Daytona 500 grid regardless of his finishing position during Thursday night’s twin Duel qualifying races. From his 39th starting position, Alfredo drove to a 27th-place finish in the Daytona 500.

●Following It Up in Style. In his very next outing in the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet in the April race at Talladega, Alfredo posted the team’s best-ever finish of sixth at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. It was also his best Cup Series finish in 41 career starts. He concluded last year’s three-race Beard Motorsports run with a 24th-place finish in the October race at Talladega. He’ll be attempting to qualify for his 42nd career Cup Series race this week, the previous 41 including the full 2021 season driving for Front Row Motorsports. He’s made 118 career starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, including fulltime seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with five top-fives and 22 top-10s. Alfredo’s NASCAR career began with a 13-race Craftsman Truck Series campaign in 2019.

● Building On a Budding Relationship. Adorning the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet for the second race in a row is Fortify Building Solutions. The brand, which made its first appearance with the team at Talladega last October, is part of Cornerstone Building Brands and offers North America’s most extensive selection of high-quality metal roofing, wall panels, and building solutions. Tailored for local builders, contractors, and homeowners, the brand’s 20-plus branches supply professionals and homeowners with hometown service and support, backed by a nationwide manufacturing and distribution network.

● Building on Daytona Momentum. When last seen on the Daytona oval for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 in August, the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet recorded its second consecutive top-10 finish when 21-year-old Parker Retzlaff took the checkered flag seventh. It was the team’s fifth top-10 at Daytona, best of which was the fifth-place result by driver Noah Gragson in the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400. Gaughan drove the Beard Motorsports Chevrolet to seventh-place finishes in the 2017 Coke Zero 400 and the 2020 Daytona 500, and to an eighth-place finish in the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400.

● It’s All in the Family. The 2025 NASCAR season is Beard Motorsports’ ninth competing in the Cup Series. What started out as a passion project for the late Mark Beard Sr., has become a tribute to the family’s patriarch. Linda Beard, along with her children, Amie Beard-Deja and Mark Beard Jr., have remained committed to the vision laid out by Mark Beard Sr., and have done so with notable success. Today, the No. 62 NASCAR Cup Series team is just one of their family-owned entities. Beard Oil Distributing is the foundation of the Beard family-owned business portfolio and is recognized as a women-owned certified organization through the Women Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

● A Peak Under the Hood. Since making their debut in the 2017 Daytona 500, the No. 62 Beard Motorsports team has been powered by an ECR-built engine and the team has leveraged the power of those engines to post solid finishes. During its eight seasons of racing, Beard Motorsports has participated in 30 Cup Series events, scoring two top-five finishes and seven top-10s.

Anthony Alfredo, Driver of the No. 62 Fortify Building Solutions Chevrolet Camaro:

“You’re back with Beard Motorsports for your second straight Daytona Speedweek and the fourth time overall. What have been your observations as to why the team has been able to consistently show speed at the superspeedways?

“Well, the impressive thing is they do take a lot of pride in the efforts they’ve put forth, and they should because it’s not easy to run a partial schedule, especially in NASCAR’s premier series. So to bring Chevrolets as fast as they bring to the track, which have a legitimate shot to win, is a huge testament to the efforts of everyone who’s part of the team. Obviously, Darren Shaw, the crew chief, is the only fulltime employee, but they get plenty of help on race weekend. And with Amie and Linda Beard carrying on Mark’s legacy with this race team that he started quite a few years ago, now, it’s important to them and they don’t want to just go to the track to show up and be a part of the race. They want to win the race, and that’s what has stood out to me. When I had the opportunity to drive for them last year, it wasn’t just to run a few Cup races and have fun and say I got to do it or was a part of the show, these are races that I feel like we can literally go and win. So that’s the expectation we have and the Daytona 500’s obviously a little unique in the sense that you have to qualify in because there’s usually more than a full field of cars there compared to a lot of the other tracks. And this year is a really stout group of open cars, so we’re going to have to be on our A game. If we’re as fast as we were last year, we shouldn’t have a problem timing in again and having a stress-free Thursday-night Duel.”

Do you feel working with the team at Daytona and its sister track Talladega thus far has had an impact on your racecraft when it comes to the superspeedways?

“I certainly think I’ve grown to like superspeedway racing because, especially driving for smaller teams, I’ve prioritized those races and always circled them on the calendar because it’s the best opportunity for us to not only run well and finish up front, but legitimately contend for a win. I’ve had a little bit of better luck at Talladega as far as actually finishing up front, but I feel like I’ve had equal shots to win at both places and certainly look forward to going back to Daytona. I’ve just run well at the superspeedways and I’ve learned a lot each year, and especially returning to Beard Motorsports now for a second year, there’s a lot of chemistry and things we’ve built up as a team that are going to allow us to perform at a high level and execute the way we need to.”

You locked the No. 62 Chevrolet into last year’s Daytona 500 by being one of the two fastest open teams in Wednesday night’s single-car qualifying session. Obviously, the goal is to do the same this year, but if not, talk about your mindset as you try to race your way into Sunday’s race by outrunning all of your fellow open entries in your respective Duel qualifying race Thursday.

“I think last year was a huge learning curve. It was my first time doing that and it was certainly very stressful and nerve wracking, but we had a really fast car and it gave me a lot of confidence going into the race itself. And this year, we do have a practice session before qualifying, so we’ll have a better gauge as to where we’re going to be, speed-wise, although I’m not sure if that’s better or worse. I think it’s good to get a baseline on your car and have an idea of where you’re going to be. But the challenging part of it is the fact that everybody else has the opportunity to make their cars faster, too, during that practice session. But I’m confident in the speed we’re going to have off the truck and I doubt we’re going to make many adjustments, and hopefully on Wednesday we just lock ourselves into the show on speed like we did last year. But if it comes down to a Duel, it’s the same thing as the race – it’s got to be well executed. It’s going to be more difficult than last year was because, instead of just racing one or two other guys in your Duel, it’s going to be four or five. I think it’s going to be a very exciting race, so our goal will be to execute well, get on and off pit road if there is a green-flag stop, and position ourselves well for the end of the Duel. One of them is always crazy, so hopefully we’re not in that one. But I’m confident in the speed we have, especially after last year, and I think if we return with that kind of pace, we should be able to lock into the show on Wednesday night.”

Even though you’re currently not a fulltime Cup Series competitor, can you go into The Duel and, ultimately the Daytona 500, with a plan of who you can draft with?

“Well, the good news is there are a lot of other Chevrolets on track, so it’s usually easy to link up with one of them. We don’t have any true teammates or housemates, being a single car team, but we’ve got ECR power under the hood, so I’ll be looking for those cars. I know they’ll be fast like us and hopefully we can work together to benefit each other. It’s difficult not being a fulltime guy because you want to be respectful of those who are fighting for a shot at the playoffs in their respective points positions. But, believe it or not, I feel like out of all the races we run, the Daytona 500 is the least stressful on that note, just because it’s the first race of the season. Obviously the further through the year you get, guys are in more difficult point situations and things can get complicated. But for us, I think we’ll be in a good position to kind of work with some fellow Chevrolets. And for me, I think a lot of people have kind of come to know me. I’m still a young driver, but I have quite a bit of experience, especially in the Xfinity Series, and the few races I did last year with Beard Motorsports, we showed that we were fast, that I was smart, that I could take a push or give a push, lead laps. We’ve run up front, finished up front, checked all the boxes that I think the competitors look for to be comfortable racing around you and even working with you. So I’m hoping that gives us the opportunity to be a part of other strategies and work with other cars so that we’re not that kind of lone wolf, and that’ll ultimately give us a better shot at winning the race because it really comes down to some teamwork and cars being paired up together.”

You’ve had strong runs in Xfinity Series competition at Daytona and Talladega in recent years, most notably your third-place finish at Talladega in April, which came the day before you finished sixth there in the Cup Series race in the Beard Chevrolet. How do the two types of cars compare when it comes to superspeedway racing?

“The NextGen car is a lot different than the Xfinity car. I’m one to drive from 20th to the lead in one lap in an Xfinity car on a superspeedway, but it’s a lot harder to do in the Cup car. I feel like I’m pretty smart at managing the draft and blocking lanes and generating runs and working my way forward. But the races with this NextGen car have become more of a track-position race, which is kind of weird to say on a superspeedway. There is not as much shuffling in the field as you used to see, so I think it’s definitely positioning yourself for that final, green-flag pit stop, getting through all of those stops cleanly, and finishing all the stages. In that final stage, you want to be in a good spot coming to that last green-flag stop and then ultimately having that track position for that final run to the checkered flag because usually that’s when things get chaotic, too. The best place to be then is at the front, so you’re ahead of it.”

Back for your second race in a row in the Beard Chevrolet is Fortify Building Solutions, which you helped introduce in October at Talladega. Talk about this budding partnership.

“Fortify Building Solutions is a new sponsor for us that we brought on at the end of last year. And it was really exciting because we were able to kind of get their feet wet in the sport at Talladega, and we had another fast Chevrolet and learned a lot that weekend and were able to build that into an opportunity this year to tackle the Daytona 500 together. I’m really looking forward to that because they’re a great brand, they’ve got really awesome people that come to the track to support us, and we’re hoping to build that longterm and do a lot more together, so this is really just the tip of the iceberg with them. But to have the opportunity to run the Daytona 500 again with Beard Motorsports is all thanks to Fortify Building Solutions coming on board.”

No. 62 Beard Motorsports Team Roster

Primary Team Members

Driver: Anthony Alfredo

Hometown: Ridgefield, Connecticut

Crew Chief: Darren Shaw

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Car Chief: Travis Owens

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Spotter: Rick Carelli

Hometown: Arvada, Colorado

President: Linda Beard

Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Over-The-Wall Members

Front Tire Changer: Caison Dillon

Hometown: Welcome, North Carolina

Rear Tire Changer: Matthew Ketchie

Hometown: Mt. Ulla, North Carolina

Tire Carrier: Evan Clay

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Jack Man: Garrett Crall

Hometown: Hicksville, Ohio

Fuel Man: Alan Heister

Hometown: North Carolina

Road Crew Members

Mechanic: Jack Gagnon

Hometown: Quebec, Canada

Front End Mechanic: Mark Sanders

Hometown: Springfield, Ohio

Tire Technician: Mike Harrold

Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina

Engine Tuner: Jason Watkins

Hometown: Ridgeway, Virginia

Interior Specialist: Nic Hill

Hometown: Fort Myers, Florida

Engineer: Peter Ensor

Hometown: Westminster, Maryland

Transporter Driver: Roger Lankford

Hometown: Lexington, North Carolina

Epic Lineup Announcedfor 2025 Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit

By
Official Release
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Headliner Illenium Joined by Sammy Virji, Two Friends, Kayzo, Oliver Heldens May 25 at IMS; Tickets on Sale Now

INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025) – Dance producer Illenium will headline an all-star lineup of global electronic music artists at the Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit on Sunday, May 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Sammy Virji, Two Friends, Kayzo and Oliver Heldens also will perform at the Race Day concert during the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. Performances begin early in the morning on the stage located in the infield adjacent to Turn 3 of the IMS oval, with specific set times to be announced.

“The Indy 500 Coors Light Snake Pit continues to attract some of the world’s top talent in dance music, and it is one of the best events of the year for fans who attend,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “More than 20,000 people find their Indianapolis 500 Race Day experience in the infield where the sound of the 33 racing INDYCAR SERIES cars provide the backdrop for friends, music and dancing from an unforgettable location – the Snake Pit.”

General admission and VIP wristbands for the Snake Pit are on sale for $55 and $160, respectively, at www.ims.com. VIP amenities will include access to a raised viewing platform located beside the stage, a private cash bar and private air-conditioned restrooms.

All Snake Pit ticketholders must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Indy 500 general admission or reserved seat ticket. Ticket holders should be prepared to show proper identification to enter the concert.

Packages that include Race Day general admission tickets and Snake Pit wristbands are available. A package featuring general admission to the Indianapolis 500 and Snake Pit is $105, while a Race Day general admission and Snake Pit VIP package is $210.

Snake Pit concertgoers are encouraged to buy tickets now, as prices will increase as May approaches and limited quantities of admission wristbands are available.

Nick Miller’s 10-year run as dance producer Illenium has been nothing short of astounding. From humble bass beginnings to chart-topping crossover success and more than 10 billion global streams, the Illenium sound has been honed into an adrenaline-rush style that fits heartfelt ballads, growling drops, emotional acoustic moments and ecstatic explosions alike.

From his 2016 debut LP “Ashes” to the Grammy-nominated “Fallen Embers” and the release of his fifth album “Illenium,” his carefully curated performances have wowed crowds around the world and perfected the limitless sound that starts in his Denver studio. The “Illenium” tracks are sweeping, impactful, dynamic and never dull, with collaborations including his teenage heroes Travis Barker, Avril Lavigne and more.

Sammy Virji is driving the evolution of UKG, as the genre takes the world by storm – again. The London producer/DJ, nominated for Best Producer at DJ Mag’s Best Of British Awards in 2023, is an in-demand dance music maker, whether that’s for screw-face belters like “Shella Verse” featuring Grammy-nominated Flowdan, synth-heavy bass house singles like “Summertime Blues” with Chris Lake and Nathan Nicholson or his breakout track “If U Need It.” He’s crafted an ever-growing discography and unmissable live show, which has propelled him to the forefront of the dance music space.

Two Friends is the musical creation of longtime companions Matt Halper and Eli Sones. Two Friends are pioneering an artistic identity that is simultaneously relatable as it drives fans to the dance floor. On a mission to curate a culture around the Two Friends project, they boast authentic, inclusive and nostalgic vibes.

Masters of the remix, Two Friends exploded into the global dance music landscape with their viral remixes of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” Blink 182’s “I Miss You” and their award-winning Big Bootie Mix series. These mixes have become a staple in the duo’s musical outputs. Amassing millions of streams across YouTube and SoundCloud per installment, the Big Bootie Mix series has become the soundtrack to many a good night out across 10 years of regular releases.

As one of the decade’s fastest rising electronic artists, Kayzo is a pioneer of the dance/rock crossover scene, with hard-hitting songs, rebellious live performances and die-hard global fans. After winning Insomniac’s Discovery Project in 2012, Kayzo’s rework of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” broke barriers between mainstream electronic and heavy metal.

Kayzo’s album “New Breed” showcases his talent of intertwining a rock and electronic feel. With a collection of features from POORSTACY, Kamiyada+, GHØSTKID, Siiickbrain, DE’WAYNE conner and more, he seamlessly blends the two genres bringing a feel of nostalgia all while creating something new. From bands in the studio to flames on stage, Kayzo’s continuous growth serves as a modern interpretation of heavy metal’s parallel with dubstep’s electrifying bass.

Oliver Heldens has successfully parlayed his career in mainstream dance music into a much-lauded alter-ego in the techno world as HI-LO, gaining widespread acceptance from the underground scene. The name HI-LO is synonymous with cutting-edge, quality, hard-hitting innovative techno, and his tracks “Zeus” and “Kronos” are some of the most played techno tracks.

Combining a big room sensibility with a dark, underground, raw edge, HI-LO has become a trusted tastemaker, with his tracks receiving massive support from luminaries of the scene. HI-LO launched HILOMATIK, a new label showcasing his productions alongside music from hot new talents and techno heroes, which continues to carry significant momentum with recent releases.

Tickets for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 25 and the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 10 are available at www.ims.com.

NICK LEITZ PARTNERS WITH DEXERDRY AT DOVER MOTOR SPEEDWAY

By
Official Release
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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.

For more information on Nick Leitz, visit https://www.nickleitzracing.com/ or X (https://twitter.com/NickLeitz_) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nickleitz/). 

For more about Dexerdry, visit https://dexerdry.com/ or follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/dexerdry/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dexerdry/) or YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Fz0TEKbLpQZefnYQNCxmg).

RFK Racing Strengthens Daytona Bid with Addition of Third Full-Time Team

By
Official Release
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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.

Michael McDowell to make 14th Daytona 500 start in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

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.

Chili’s celebrates its iconic Presidente Margarita with ‘Ride the ‘Dente’ campaign via renewed partnership with Spire Motorsports

By
Official Release
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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.

Two Generations, One Finish Line

By
Official Release
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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.

Different Types of Slots | Steps to Play for Fun and Profit

By
SM
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Photo by Darya Sannikova at pexels.com

Slots continue to be popular. It is still one of the top choices at online casinos. There is a wide range of slot games today. It is loved because of its simplicity. The slot is easy to learn and play. 

To play slots online, do the following:

  1. Choose a reputable casino platform.
  2. Provide the necessary details to sign up for an account.
  3. Select your preferred slot game.
  4. Set your bet size. Adjust the coin value and paylines.
  5. “SPIN” to start the game.
  6. Wait for the reels to stop and check for winning combinations.
  7. Collect your winnings.

Understanding the types of online slots is important. This can enhance your gaming experience. Read to learn more about the slots. 

Classic Slots

These are the simplest forms of these games. It is often designed to perform like real casino slot machines. These games usually have three reels. Pay lines are also smaller which are often just 1 to 5. Classic slot symbols can fruit the traditional icons, bars, and sevens.

Video Slots

These games are the most popular these days. This features advanced graphics, animations, and sound effects which appeal to the young generation of joker123 players. These games often have five reels. The paylines are larger which can be up to 100 or more. There are also bonus features like wilds and scatter. Some have bonus rounds to boost your winnings. 

Progressive Slots

These are video slots with bigger jackpots. It grows over time as more players bet and play the games. A small percentage of each wager adds to the jackpot pool. And when the winning combination is hit, the winner will take home the total jackpot amount. These are huge as some could reach up to millions. Progressive slots can be standalone or networked. 

3D Slots

These are enhanced versions of video slots. The graphics and animations are more advanced than other slot games. This guarantees an immersive experience. 3D slots feature three-dimensional visuals. That is why it is more appealing when played online. These games often have interesting storylines, bonus rounds, and interactive features. 

Bonus Slots

This can be video or 3D slots. The games focus more on offering multiple bonus features. Players can get free spins, multipliers, or mini-games. This gives them extra rewards. Bonus slot games have higher volatility than classic slots. This means they have better potential for winning more rewards while playing the games. Maximize your winnings by playing interactive bonus slots.

Fruit Machines

For sure you are familiar with these slot games. They are more commonly seen at brick-and-mortar casinos. It is a subgenre of classic slots which is now also popular in online casinos. It features fruit symbols and are often played like the classic slot machine. It has three reels and a few paylines. The online versions may have features like nudges, holds, and skill-based elements. 

Virtual Reality Slots

These combine traditional gaming with immersive VR technology. The games offer players a more interactive and fully immersive experience. Players play using a VR headset. They are relatively new and have a promising future in the online casino space. The advanced technology allows these games to offer enhanced graphics, interactive gameplay, and a real casino environment. 

Conclusion

Slots have evolved over the years. Now that it’s available online, players can play even more versions. Each game version is unique and offers a different level of experience. So if you want to start playing casino online, go ahead and look into the different slot games that you can try. Whether it’s a classic or a modern version, you will find them all at reputable casino platforms.

Austin Dillon to make 13th Daytona 500 start in 2025

By
Andrew Kim
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Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com.

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.

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