Listed below are 5 drivers to look at in the course of the 68th Daytona 500. The 200-lap affair on the storied 2.5-mile oval is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Sunday on Fox.
William Byron
Coming off back-to-back Daytona 500 wins in 2024 and 2025, the 28-year-old seeks an unprecedented third straight victory. Bryon gained the 2020 Coke Zero Sugar 400, however his latest success the 500-miler adopted six years of wrestle within the Nice American Race. A Twenty first-place displaying because the pole-sitter in 2019 was his highest end till his ’24 win. Driving a backup automobile after crashing within the Duels intensifies Byron’s problem to three-peat.
Joey Logano
The 35-year-old has had his possibilities so as to add to his 2015 win. A runner-up displaying to runner-up end to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in 2023 is amongst 5 finishes within the top-six since his sole victory. Coming off a win within the Duels, the three-time Cup Sequence champion could possibly be the motive force to beat primarily based on his expertise, aggressive type and drafting capability.
Ryan Blaney
With six finishes within the top-eight in 11 appearances, Blaney routinely finds himself within the combine. The close-calls embody a photo-finish runner-up to Denny Hamlin in 2020 and a fourth-place displaying in 2022, the place Blaney was proper there on the ultimate lap. The 2023 Cup Sequence champion, Blaney gained the 2021 summer time race, one other signal of the 32-year-old’s consolation stage at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
Kyle Busch
Busch captured his first pole as he seeks a coveted Daytona 500 win in his Twenty first try. A runner-up end in 2019 is an outlier. Busch’s 20 earlier begins ended with a median end of 20.2, in addition to six crashes and two failed engines. Now 40, Busch has been arguably the Cup Sequence’ most gifted driver since he was a 19-year-old rookie in 2005. A resumé that includes 63 wins lacks the one meaning probably the most.
Chase Elliott
The Cup Sequence Most Widespread Driver the previous eight years, the 30-year-old can be a celebrated winner among the many sellout crowd. A runner-up end in 2021 to Michael McDowell is Elliott’s solely time inside the highest 10 in 10 tries. 3 times crashes ended his day. However a win in the course of the Duels might sign Elliott is ready to contend Sunday.
Edgar Thompson may be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com.
