NASCAR Pre-Race: FOX - 12:00pm/et

Television Race Coverage: FOX, 1:00pm/et

In the Booth: Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds

Pit Reporters: Chris Neville, Jamie Little, Matt Yocum

Hollywood Hotel/Host: Chris Myers, Michael Waltrip

Rules Analyst: Andy Petree

NASCAR Raceday Pre-Race Show: at 10:30am/et on FoxSports1 (FS1)

Scheduled Race Re-Air Dates/Times:
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 3:00am/et on FS1;
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 10:00am/et on FS1;
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 8:00pm/et on FS2;
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 10:30am/et on FS2

TV Listings, Links and Info:
Jayski's TV Listings Page
Fox Sports TV Listings
FoxSports1 (FS1) TV Schedule
NBC Sports - TV Times
TV Racer
Armed Forces Network - Search NASCAR
Schedule TSN Race - Canada

Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90

motorracingnetwork.com

siriusxm.com

FOX Sports GO. All NASCAR programming on FOX and FOX Sports 1 is streamed live through the FOX Sports GO app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content. Requires a participating TV provider.

Radio: MRN Live Streaming

SiriusXM Internet Radio is available via any internet connected device, with a subscription.

Practices:
Saturday, February 14, 10:30 am - 12:15 pm/et, TV-FS1
Saturday, February 14, 1:30 - 3:25 pm/et, TV-FS2
Wednesday, February 18, 2:00 - 2:45 pm/et, TV-FS2
Wednesday, February 18, 3:15 - 3:55 pm/et, TV-FS2
Thursday, February 19, 12:00 - 1:25 pm/et, TV-FS1
Friday, February 20, 11:00 am - 12:25 pm/et, TV-FS1
Friday, February 20, 2:00 - 3:25 pm/et, TV-FS1

Happy Hour 'Final' practice: Saturday, February 21, 10:30 - 11:55 am/et, TV-FS1

Qualifying: group qualifying for positions 1-2, Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 pm/et, TV-FOX, re-air scheduled, Tuesday, February 17, 10:00am/et, TV-FS1.

Qualifying Races - Budweiser Duels: Thursday, February 19 at 7:00 pm/et, TV-FS1, re-air scheduled Friday, February 20 at 3:00am/et on FS1 and 7:00am/et on FS2.

Track Specifications:
Track/Race Length: 2.5 mile oval, 200 laps, 500 miles
Tri-oval with 31-degree banking in the turns
18-degree banking in the tri-oval and 6-degree banking on the straightaways
Date track opened: 1959
Banking in turns 1-4: 31 degrees
Banking in tri-oval: 18 degrees
Banking on backstretch: 3 degrees
Banking on the straightaway: 6 degrees
Length of frontstretch: 3,800 feet
Length of backstretch: 3,400 feet
Grandstand Seating: 147,000 [was 168,000, will be 101,000 in 2016].
Pit Road Speed: 55 mph
Pace Car Speed: 70 mph
Pit Road Length: 1,600 feet
Pit Road Width: 50 feet
Opened: 1959

Race Festivities/Officials:
Grand Marshal: Actor Vince Vaughn
Command to start engines: Vince Vaughn
Honorary Starter/Wave Green Flag: U.S. Women's National Soccer Team; Abby Wambach, Kelley O'Hara, Christie Rampone
Honorary Pace Car Driver: Paralympics bronze medalist and Dancing With The Stars finalist Amy Purdy
Color Guard: Patrick Air Force Base DEOMI Joint Services Honor Guard
Invocation: First Baptist Church of South Daytona, Ronnie Barton
National Anthem: Singer/songwriter Phillip Phillips
Flyover: United States Air Force Thunderbirds

Track Websites & Social Media:
Daytona International Speedway Website
ISC Motorsports
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
YouTube

February 2014: see the Daytona 500 Race Info page

July 2014: see the Daytona Race Info page

2014 Daytona 500 Race Winner: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 145.290mph, started 9th

2014 July Race Winner: #43-Aric Almirola, 130.014mph, started 15th

Track Race Record: Buddy Baker, Feb 1980, 177.602mph

Oldest Race Winner: Bobby Allison, 50 years, 2 months, 11 days, 2/14/1988

Youngest Race Winner: Trevor Bayne, 20 years, 0 months, 1 days, 2/20/2011

Worst Starting Spot to win: #14-Tony Stewart, started 42nd, 7/7/2012

2014 Daytona 500 Pole Winner: #3-Austin Dillon, 196.019, finished 9th

2014 July Pole Winner: #38-David Gilliland, 199.322mph, finished 35th

Track Qualifying Record: Bill Elliott, 210.364mph, February 1987

Track Qualifying Record with restrictor plate (single car run): Ken Schrader, 196.996, February 1989

Track Qualifying Record with restrictor plate (group qualifying): #38-David Gilliland, 199.322mph, July 2014

Oldest Pole Winner: Mark Martin, 52 years, 5 months, 23 days, Daytona, 7/1/2011

Youngest Pole Winner: Austin Dillon, 23 years, 9 months, 20 days, 2/16/2014

Only Woman Daytona 500 Pole Sitter: #10-Danica Patrick, 196.434, finished 8th

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Daytona
#18-Kyle Busch, 96.2 (1 win, 0 Daytona 500 wins)
#20-Matt Kenseth, 91.6 (2, 2)
#41-Kurt Busch, 90.5 (0, 0)
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 90.3 (3, 2)
#14-Tony Stewart, 87.9 (4, 0)
#24-Jeff Gordon, 87.1 (6, 3)
#48-Jimmie Johnson, 87.0 (3, 2)
#11-Denny Hamlin, 86.4 (0, 0)
#15-Clint Bowyer, 83.7 (0, 0)
#22-Joey Logano, 82.5 (0, 0)
Note: Driver Ratings are compiled from 2005-2014 races (18 total) at Daytona (active drivers only).
Formula combining the following categories: Win, Finish, Top-15 Finish, Average Running Position while on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.
See an explanation how the Driver Rating is calculated at NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)

Daytona History:
· Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was Nov. 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.
· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona was a 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20, 1959.
· Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona.
· Lights were installed in the spring of 1998. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second Daytona race has been held under the lights ever since.
· The track underwent a repave in 2010.(NASCAR)

Daytona 500 Tidbits I:
· The 2015 edition will be the 57th running of the Daytona 500.
· Although the first Daytona 500 was held in 1959, it has been the season-opener only since 1982.
· 530 drivers have competed in at least one Daytona 500; 314 in more than one.
· 35 drivers have won a Daytona 500.
· Youngest Daytona 500 winner: Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 - 20 years, 0 months, 1 days)
· Oldest Daytona 500 winner: Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 - 50 years, 2 months, 11 days)
· 11 drivers have won more than one Daytona 500, led by Richard Petty with seven victories.
· The 11 drivers who have won the Daytona 500 more than once: Richard Petty (seven), Cale Yarborough (four), Bobby Allison (three), Dale Jarrett (three), Jeff Gordon (three), Bill Elliott (two), Matt Kenseth (two), Jimmie Johnson (two), Sterling Marlin (two), Michael Waltrip (two) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two).
· A driver has won back-to-back Daytona 500s three times. Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84) and Sterling Marlin (1994-95).
· Seven drivers posted their career-first victory with a win in the Daytona 500: Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994), Michael Waltrip (2001) and Trevor Bayne (2011).
· Three other drivers posted their career-first victory in (points-paying) qualifying races: Johnny Rutherford (1963), Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).
· Lee Petty, who won the inaugural Daytona 500, and Trevor Bayne, 2011 Daytona 500 champion, are the only two drivers to win the Daytona 500 in their first appearance.
· Active Daytona 500 winners and the number of NSCS starts in their careers when they won:
o Jeff Gordon won his first Daytona 500 on his 125th career start (1997). His second Daytona 500 win was on his 190th career start (1999) and the third Daytona 500 was on his 402nd career start (2005).
o Jimmie Johnson won his first on his 148th (2006) start and posted his second Daytona 500 win on his 400th career start (2013).
o Matt Kenseth won his first on his 329th start (2009) and his second Daytona 500 on his 437th career start (2012).
o Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first Daytona 500 on 148th start (2004) and his second on his 506th (2014).
o Kevin Harvick posted his Daytona 500 win on his 215th career start (2007).
o Ryan Newman posted his Daytona 500 win on his 225th career start (2008).
o Jamie McMurray posted his Daytona 500 win on his 259th career start (2011).
o Michael Waltrip won his first on his 463rd start (2001) and posted his second Daytona 500 win on his 535th career start (2003).
· Dale Earnhardt leads the series in runner-up finishes in the Daytona 500 with five; Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers with four (Earnhardt Jr. is tied with NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough for second all-time with four).(NASCAR)

Daytona 500 Tidbits II:
· Dale Earnhardt had 12 top fives in his 23 Daytona 500 starts, more than any other driver. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leads all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-five finishes with seven (eighth most all-time).
· Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty each posted a series leading 16 top 10s in the Daytona 500.
· Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Michael Waltrip lead all active drivers in Daytona 500 top-10 finishes with nine.
· Only 10 drivers have an average finish of 10th or better in the Daytona 500, five of those competed in the Daytona 500 only once.
· Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a 12.7 average finish in 15 appearances, the best of the active drivers who have competed in more than one Daytona 500.
· 28 of the 35 drivers, who have won, participated in at least two Daytona 500s before visiting Victory Lane.
· Six drivers made 10 or more attempts before their first Daytona 500 victory: Dale Earnhardt (19), Buddy Baker (18), Darrell Waltrip (16), Bobby Allison (14), Michael Waltrip (14) and Sterling Marlin (12).
· The driver with the all-time most Daytona 500 starts without a victory is Dave Marcis with 33 races; the active drivers with the most starts without a Daytona 500 win is Joe Nemechek (19) and Tony Stewart (16).
· Kevin Harvick's 0.020-second margin of victory over Mark Martin in the 2007 Daytona 500 is the 12th-closest overall since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993, and the closest in a Daytona 500.
· Nine of the 56 Daytona 500s (16.3%) have been won from the Coors Light pole. The last to do so was Dale Jarrett in 2000. Jeff Gordon is the only active driver to accomplish the feat (1999).
· Cale Yarborough (1968, 1984) and Bill Elliott (1985, 1987) are the only two drivers to win the Daytona 500 from the Coors Light pole more than once.
· 16 of the 56 Daytona 500s (28.5%) have been won from the front row.
· 27 of the 56 Daytona 500s (48.2%) have been won from a top-five starting position.
· 41 of the 56 Daytona 500s (73.2%) have been won from a top 10 starting position
· Matt Kenseth won the Daytona 500 from the 39th starting position in 2009, the deepest a race winner has started.
· Five reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions have gone on to win the Daytona 500 the following season: Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty (1973), Cale Yarborough (1977), Jeff Gordon (1999) and Dale Jarrett (2000).
· Five drivers have won the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in the same season, Richard Petty has done it four times: Jimmie Johnson (2006, 2013), Jeff Gordon (1997), Richard Petty (1964, 1971, 1974, 1979), Cale Yarborough (1977) and Lee Petty (1959).
· Danica Patrick on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2013 became the first female in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history to win a Coors Light pole for the Daytona 500 posting a speed of 196.434 mph.
· Janet Guthrie previously held the record for top starting position by a female NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, starting ninth twice in 1977 - at Talladega Superspeedway on Aug. 7, 1977 and at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1977.
· In 2012, Danica Patrick became the third female driver to compete in a Daytona 500 joining Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson.(NASCAR)

Some Daytona 500 Stats:
· Drivers who have won the Daytona 500 in more than one car manufacturer:
Driver - Manufacturer (Number of wins in that manufacturer)
o 4: Richard Petty - Plymouth (3), Dodge (2), Oldsmobile (1) and Buick (1)
o 3: Cale Yarborough - Chevrolet (2), Mercury (1) and Pontiac (1)
o 2: Bobby Allison - Buick (2) and Ford (1)
o 2: Dale Jarrett - Ford (2) and Chevrolet (1)
· Drivers who have won The Sprint Unlimited and the Daytona 500 in the same season:
Driver - (Year)
o Bobby Allison (1982)
o Bill Elliott (1987)
o Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000)
o Jeff Gordon (1997)
· Car Numbers that have produced three or more Daytona 500 victories:
Car Number - Drivers - (Years)
o #43 - Richard Petty (1964, '66, '71, '73, '74, '79, '81)
o #21 - Tiny Lund (1963), Cale Yarborough (1968), A.J. Foyt (1972), David Pearson (1976) and Trevor Bayne (2011)
o #28 - Fred Lorenzen (1965), Buddy Baker (1980), Cale Yarborough (1983 and 1984) and Davey Allison (1992)
o #4 - Ernie Irvan (1991), Sterling Marlin (1994 and 1995)
o #15 - Bobby Allison (1978), Michael Waltrip (2001 and 2003)
o #17 - Darrell Waltrip (1989), Matt Kenseth (2009 and 2012)
o #88 - Bobby Allison (1982), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014)
o #24 - Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999 and 2005)
(NASCAR)

Daytona Notebook:
· There have been 135 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 56 have been 500 miles, 52 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.
· Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona.
· Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.
· Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by 2 feet.
· Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.
· 58 drivers have posted poles at Daytona.
· Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona.
· Bill Elliott, Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough are tied for the most Daytona 500 poles with four each. Jimmie Johnson leads all active drivers with two Daytona 500 poles.
· Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers with three poles at Daytona.
· 57 drivers have won at Daytona.
· Richard Petty leads all drivers in victories at Daytona with 10.
· Jeff Gordon has six victories at Daytona, more than any other active driver.
· The Wood Brothers have won 15 races at Daytona, more than any other car owner.
· 17 full-length races at Daytona have been won from the pole; the last to do it was Kevin Harvick in the 2010 July race.
· A driver has swept both the Daytona 500 and the July race only five times at Daytona International Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).(NASCAR)

For news, stats, records and more about this race track, see: Jayski.com's Daytona International Speedway Track News/Rumors/Links page

Joey Logano wins the Daytona 500: #22-Joey Logano won the DAYTONA 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway in a green-white-checkered finish for his 1st win of the season, 1st win at Daytona and his 9h career win. The race win was worth $1,581,453.
#4-Harvick finished 2nd followed by #88-Earnhardt Jr., #11-Hamlin, #48-Johnson, #13-Mears, #15-Bowyer, #78-Truex Jr., #5-Kahne and #16-Biffle.
Pole winner #24-Gordon dominated early in the race, leading 87 of 200 laps until getting caught up in a wreck on the final lap, finishing 33rd.
There were 27 lead changes among 12 drivers. There were 7 cautions for 26 yellow flag laps with a 7 minute red flag before the green-white-checkered finish.
The average speed was 161.939 mph.
See unofficial race results, awards, money won, laps led, cautions and more on the Unofficial Race Results page (pdf) and check out the Penalty Report (pdf) and Lap Summary Report (pdf).
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).(2-22-2015)

NASCAR cites 'competitor safety' in throwing the final caution: NASCAR officials say they felt the backstretch crash Sunday on the final lap of the Daytona 500 had enough hard hits with the wall that they had to throw the caution as leader and eventual winner Joey Logano entered Turn 3. It resulted in a somewhat anticlimactic finish with the race ending on a judgment call under yellow-flag conditions without a scramble to the finish line. But it was a finish that NASCAR said was necessary for safety reasons. NASCAR rules dictate that once the leader has taken the white flag, it will not restart the race if the caution comes out. Drivers keep their position as long as they maintain a reasonable speed to the finish line. "We make every effort to finish a race under the green flag," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "However, when cars get disrupted and hit the wall as they did on that last lap, we are going to react in the best interest of competitor safety."(ESPN.com)(2-23-2015)

Race Fast Facts - Daytona:
#22-Joey Logano won the 57th Annual Daytona 500, his ninth victory in 221 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in 2015.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 14 races at Daytona International Speedway.
#4-Kevin Harvick (second) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 29 races at Daytona International Speedway. It is his first top-10 finish in 2015.
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (third) posted his 18th top-10 finish in 31 races at Daytona International Speedway.
Joey Logano leads the point standings by 5 points over Kevin Harvick.
This is Team Penske and car owner Roger Penske's second Daytona 500 victory, his first was in 2008 with driver Ryan Newman.
Joey Logano is the second youngest driver in series history to win the Daytona 500 at the age of 24 years, 8 months, 29 days. The youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 is Trevor Bayne at the age of 20 years, 0 months, 1 day.
(NASCAR Integrated Sports Marketing)(2-22-2015)

2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings:
[after Daytona, race 1 of 36]
1) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 47
2) #4-Kevin Harvick, 42, -5
3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 42, -5
4) #11-Denny Hamlin, 41, -6
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 40, -7
6) #13-Casey Mears, 39, -8
7) #15-Clint Bowyer, 37, -10
8) #78-Truex Jr., 37, -10
9) #5-Kasey Kahne, 35, -12
10) #16-Greg Biffle, 35, -12
11) #38-David Gilliland, 33, -14
12) #9-Sam Hornish Jr., 32, -15
13) #46-Michael Annett, 32, -15
14) #3-Austin Dillon, 30, -17
15) #43-Aric Almirola, 29, -18
16) #27-Paul Menard, 27, -20
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
See the Unofficial Points Standings page (pdf).(2-22-2015)

Lucky Dogs - Who got a lap back on each caution at Daytona: (and their finish)
Caution 1: no driver a lap down
Caution 2: no driver a lap down, that were on the track
Caution 3: #44-Sorenson, 32nd
Caution 4: #42-Larson, 34th
Caution 5: #55-Waltrip, 26th
Caution 6: #20-Kenseth, 35th
Caution 7: none awarded, driver eligible was included in wreck that caused the caution
(2-22-2015)

To the Back - Daytona 500: #31-Newman (engine); #3-Dillon, #6-Bayne, #9-Hornish Jr., #10-Patrick, #32-Labonte, #34-Ragan, #42-Larson, #47-Allmendinger, #83-Sauter (all in backup cars); #41-Smith (driver change); #18-Crafton (driver change)

Race Coverage of the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2015.
Television (TV): FOX at 1:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 12:00pm/et; green flag approx. 1:31pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 3:00am/et on FS1;
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 10:00am/et on FS1;
Monday, February 23, 2015 at 8:00pm/et on FS2;
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 10:30am/et on FS2

Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway have been made.
Pole sitter #24-Gordon chose pit stall 1 [as do most pole winners].
Outside pole sitter #48-Johnson took pit stall 43, the final pit stall.
#88-Earnhardt Jr., who starts 3rd took the 21st pit stall, the first pit stall with an opening in front of it.
The 43rd and final pit stall was taken by #48-Johnson, who starts 2nd.
To see where the drivers/teams pit stall is, see the pit selection chart on the Pit Stall Selection chart.(2-20-2015)

Kyle Busch injured in XFINITY Series race at Daytona, will NOT race in Daytona 500 UPDATES: Kyle Busch will miss the Daytona 500 with a right leg injury after a hard crash into a concrete wall during an Xfinity Series race Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Busch, in obvious pain, had his right leg placed in an air cast before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center. He was awake and alert at the hospital, Joe Gibbs Racing officials said. He was supposed to start fourth Sunday in the Daytona 500. A replacement driver hasn't yet been named.
The accident occurred when Busch was racing directly behind JGR teammate Erik Jones. Jones got turned and Busch got clipped. Busch's car sped across an area of the track used as an entrance to the road course portion of the speedway and then slammed hard into a concrete wall. Busch climbed out of the car before laying down on the grass near his car. The wall did not have a steel-and-foam energy-reduction barrier (SAFER), which NASCAR has had installed in the turns and other areas at tracks but has consistently been criticized for not having everywhere on the inside and outside walls on ovals.
If Busch cannot start Sunday's Daytona 500, he would not be awarded any points. NASCAR, which requires drivers to compete each week to be eligible for its season-long championship, would have to grant Busch an exemption to not start a race he qualified for as well as to miss any future events and still be eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.(ESPN)
AND #18-Kyle Busch will miss Sunday's Daytona 500 following a hard crash in the closing laps of Saturday's Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Busch was caught up in a 10-car crash near the end of the frontstretch on Lap 112 of the 120-lap event, his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota careening head-on into a section of infield wall that had no SAFER barrier. After the crash, Busch was transported directly to Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach. Medical updates are pending. He is being evaluated for injuries to his right leg. Joe Gibbs Racing has not named Busch's replacement or indicated how long he will be out (FoxSports)(2-21-2015)
UPDATE: Matt Crafton will replace Kyle Busch in the Daytona 500, a person familiar with the arrangement told USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter. Crafton, the Camping World Truck Series champion, went to Joe Gibbs Racing on Saturday night to get fitted for a seat in the #18 car. The team thought of using Xfinity Series driver Erik Jones, but NASCAR overruled it based on his inexperience in a Cup car. Busch and Crafton are not only both Toyota drivers, but also close friends. Crafton was a groomsman in Busch's wedding.(USA Today)
Statement from Joe Gibbs Racing: Kyle Busch, driver of the #54 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), sustained a compound fracture of the right lower leg in an accident during Saturday's NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona. Additionally, Busch suffered a mid-foot fracture of his left foot in the accident. Busch was transported to a local hospital for treatment immediately following the accident and is currently undergoing surgery on his right leg. Busch's injuries will sideline him for an undetermined period of time. Veteran Matt Crafton will serve as the interim driver for Busch's #18 Toyota during Sunday's 57th Daytona 500. An interim driver has not been determined for the following race March 1 at Atlanta or for any future races..(JGR)
Kyle Busch Undergoes Successful Surgery Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), underwent successful surgery tonight to repair a compound fracture to his lower right leg suffered earlier today during the NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway. Busch is resting comfortable and will remain hospitalized for observation. There will be no additional updates tonight. Joe Gibbs Racing owner Joe Gibbs is scheduled to address the media at 9:20am/et in the media center at Daytona International Speedway.(JGR)(2-21-2015)

Kurt Busch Suspended Indefinitely by NASCAR UPDATE2 Smith to Drive: #41-Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely, according to ESPN's Marty Smith and multiple reports. Earlier Friday it was ruled that Busch smashed his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll's head against his motor home wall Sept. 26 at Dover International Speedway, according to the conclusions of a Kent County (Del.) family court commissioner who granted Driscoll's request for a protective order Monday. Busch was scheduled to race Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, where he was slated to start 24th in the Daytona 500, the sport's biggest event.(ESPN)
see more about the findings at ESPN: Court: Kurt Busch smashed ex's head and Delaware News Journal: Busch likely committed an act of abuse, judge says.
Sources report XFINITY Series driver Regan Smith is expected to replace Busch in SHR's #41 Chevy in the Daytona 500.
NASCAR Indefinitely Suspends Driver Kurt Busch: NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware's decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him. Busch, driver of the #41 car, was found to be in violation of:
· Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
· Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty
"Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice. Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved."(NASCAR)
Statement from Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Motorsports and Performance Vehicles: "Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with Kurt Busch indefinitely. We will continue to monitor the events surrounding Mr. Busch and are prepared to take additional action if necessary."(Team Chevy)
Statement from Stewart-Haas Racing Regarding Kurt Busch The following is a statement from Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president Joe Custer regarding Kurt Busch. "We understand NASCAR's position regarding Kurt Busch and accept their decision. We are in the midst of finalizing our plans for the Daytona 500 and we will announce those details as soon as we're ready."(SHR)
UPDATE: Busch's attorney Rusty Hardin said the suspension will be appealed. "We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal," Hardin said in a statement. "We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold." An expedited appeal could occur before the race Sunday. Hardin, who cannot represent Busch in the NASCAR appeal because the appeal process does not allow for lawyers to represent NASCAR members, reiterated his hope that the family court commissioner reconsiders his opinion based on additional evidence that would show Driscoll is not credible.(ESPN)
UPDATE2: Stewart-Haas Racing has named Regan Smith interim driver of its #41 Haas Automation Chevy for the Daytona 500. Smith has some history with Stewart-Haas Racing, as he subbed for Tony Stewart in the team's #14 car last August at Watkins Glen. Smith was the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year and won the 2011 Southern 500 at Darlington. He is a fulltime driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and finished second in the 2014 championship standings. Smith, 31, is from Cato, New York. An interim driver for the #41 team at next weekend's Sprint Cup race at Atlanta and subsequent races has not been determined.(SHR)(2-20-2015)

Links to results, practices, qualifying PDF's: (will be added as available)
Official Race & Points Report
Race Results
Drivers Points
Owners Points
Lap Summary Report
Penalty Report
Happy Hour Practice Speeds
Practice 7 Speeds
Practice 6 Speeds
Pitstalls
Starting Lineup
Budwesier Duel 2 Race Results Budwesier Duel 1 Race Results Practice 5 Speeds
Practice 4 Speeds
Practice 3 Speeds
Budweiser Duel 150 #1 Lineup
Budweiser Duel 150 #2 Lineup
Qualifying Results
Practice 2 Speeds
Practice 1 Speeds
Qualifying Order
Entry List
Preliminary Entry List

Engine Rule at Daytona: the engine rule is a little different at Daytona 500 [just like qualifying] then the other 35 races, teams must run the same engine from Saturday's first practice session through the Budweiser Duel 150 mile qualifying races. If a team makes a change before the Duel, then it must start at the rear of the Duel 150 field as well as the Daytona 500. After the Duel 150 races, teams can make an engine change before the Happy Hour practice session. After that, if an engine change is made, the driver will start at the rear of the Daytona 500.

Double Yellow Line at Daytona = do not pass: In order to emphasize the yellow-line rule at Daytona International Speedway where passes are not permitted, NASCAR has made the single yellow line into a double-yellow line. The second yellow line was painted on the inside of the existing yellow line.

NASCAR Green-White-Checkered Race Procedure: NASCAR allows a maximum of three restart attempts prior to the White Flag under NASCAR's Green-White-Checkered flag finish. If the leader has taken the White Flag and the caution flag is displayed, the field is frozen and the race will not be restarted. Previously, there was only one restart attempt. The procedure applies to all three national series. See rule and notes on the Green-White-Checker rule page.

See Jayski's - 2014 Sprint Cup Race Results Page for pole winner, race winner with speed and starting/finishing position, links to race results, drivers & owners points, pit stall selections, qualifying results/starting lineup and practice speeds as well as link to race track and race information page for each race

See the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway on the Daytona 500 Starting Lineup Page.(2-19-2015)

Happy Hour (final) practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the top-five, slowest:
#11-Hamlin 202.106
#5-Kahne 202.025
#16-Biffle 201.853
#9-Hornish Jr. 201.816
#34-Ragan 201.712
slowest: #23-Yeley 187.586 and # 83-Sauter 188.001
most laps run: #42-Larson, 38; #17-Stenhouse Jr., 32
35 of 43 cars made laps
not practicing: #'s 2, 10, 21, 22, 44, 47, 55, 66
14 drivers ran 10 consecutive laps, #17-Stenhouse Jr. was the fastest of those at 199.560mph.
See fastest speeds, laps run and best 10 consecutive laps speeds on the Daytona 500 Happy Hour practice speeds page (pdf).(2-21-2015)

Friday final practice: for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the fastest:
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 194.405
#5-Kahne 193.528
#48-Johnson 193.096
#10-Patrick 192.810
#21-Blaney 192.781
slowest: #34-Ragan 188.553 and #35-Whitt 189.278
25 of 43 cars have made runs.
notes: #10-Patrick, in a backup car, had smoke appear from under the car, ended up being a loose water line or gasket, the team made repairs and the car went back out on the track.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Daytona 500 Practice 7 Speeds page (pdf).(2-20-2015)

Friday first practice: for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 85 scheduled minutes, the fastest:
#24-Gordon 193.079
#55-Waltrip 192.485
#78-Truex Jr. 192.345
#2-Keselowski 192.279
#22-Logano 192.258
slowest: #47-Allmendinger 189.921 and #46-Annett 190.142
only 14 of 43 cars made runs, doing single car runs.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Daytona 500 Practice 6 Speeds page (pdf).(2-20-2015)

Johnson wins Budweiser Duel 2: #48-Jimmie Johnson won the second Budweiser Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway for his 2nd career Duel win. #18-Busch finished 2nd followed by #19-Edwards, #16-Biffle, #78-Truex Jr., #21-Blaney, #44-Soresnon, #66-Wallace #51-Allgaier and #10-Patrick.
There was a late race accident when #11-Hamlin tapped #10-Patrick, causing the #10 to spin collecting #32-Labonte and #62-Scott. Patrick was able to get back on track and race her way into the Daytona 500, but Scott failed to make the race and Labonte had to use a past champions provisional.
Four drivers deep in 2013 owners points or low qualifying speed, raced into the Daytona 500: #21-Blaney (6th), #44-Sorenson(7th), #51-Allgaier(8th), #66-Wallace(9th), #10-Patrick(10th), #38-Gilliland(13th) and #34-Ragan(14th). #32-Bobby Labonte used the past champions provisional to make the race.
Missing the Daytona 500: #7-Bowman, #26-Jeb Burton, #29-Marks, #30-Hornaday, #62-Scott & #98-Wise.
There were 3 cautions for 12 yellow flag laps. There were 7 lead changes among 5 drivers. The average speed was 144.724mph.
See race results on the Budwesier Duel 1 Race Results page (pdf).(2-19-2015)

Earnhardt Jr. wins Budweiser Duel 1: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the first Budweiser Duel qualifying race for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. It was Earnhardt Jr.'s 4th Budweiser Duel race win. Daytona 500 pole winner, #24-Gordon finished 2nd, followed by #14-Stewart, #15-Bowyer, #4-Harvick, #5-Kahne, #1-McMurray, #40-Cassill and #35-Whitt. Six drivers deep in 2014 owners points or low qualifying speed raced into the Daytona 500: #40-Cassill (9th), #35-Whitt(10th), #95-McDowell(12th), #23-Yeley (13th), #46-Annett(14th) and #33-Ty Dillon (16th). Daytona 500 pole winner #24-Gordon ran up front all race and finished 2nd, leading 6 laps. Four drivers who didn't race into the Daytona 500 will make the race via speed or 2014 owners points (provisional spot): #20-Kenseth, #2-Keselowski, #43-Almirola and #6-Bayne. #47-Allmendinger, #13-Mears and #83-Sauter could still make the race depending on the finish of the 2nd Duel.
#30-Hornaday and #29-Marks will not race in the Daytona 500.
There were 3 cautions for 13 yellow flag laps. There were 9 lead changes among 5 drivers. The average speed was 144.462mph.
See race results on the Budwesier Duel 1 Race Results page (pdf)(2-19-2015)

Qualifying Races Coverage of the Budweiser Duel 150 qualifying races for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway are scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2015.
Television (TV): FS1 at 7:00 pm/et; Pre-Race show at 5:00pm/et; green flag approx. 7:20pm/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs:
Friday, February 20 at 3:00am/et on FoxSports1
Friday, February 20 at 7:00am/et on FoxSports2
More information on the Budweiser Duels page

2nd Wednesday practice: for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 40 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#7-Bowman 200.495
#5-Kahne 200.459
#6-Bayne 200.387
#27-Menard 200.374
#62-Scott 200.285
slowest: #34-Ragan 189.661 and #98-Wise 189.785
only 29 of 49 cars made runs.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Daytona 500 Practice 4 Speeds page (pdf).(2-18-2015)

1st Wednesday practice: for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 45 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#18-Busch 200.776
#48-Johnson 200.530
#6-Bayne 200.053
#5-Kahne 199.858
#31-Newman 199.645
slowest: #30-Hornaday 188.913 and #17-Stenhouse Jr. 191.290
43 of 49 cars have been on the track.
Notes: a few minutes into practice #10-Patrick and #11-Hamlin made contact, sending the #10 sliding down and into #46-Annett, also collecting #26-Burton. The #10 team will go to a backup car, The #46 team is getting the #51 backup out to get ready for the Budweiser Duels.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10 consecutive lap average on the Daytona 500 Practice Speeds page (pdf).(2-18-2015)

Jeff Gordon wins Daytona 500 pole: #24-Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light pole for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway with speed of 201.293mph for his 1st pole of 2015 and 78th of his career. Gordon has won 20 races from the pole out of 77 previous poles.
#48-Jimmie Johnson will start 2nd on the outside pole. The rest of the top 12: #11-Hamlin (speed disallowed), #20-Kenseth, #18-Busch, #5-Kahne, #19-Edwards, #33-Ty Dillon, #3-Austin Dillon, #88-Earnhardt Jr.(speed disallowed), #1-McMurray and #78-Truex Jr.
#11-Hamlin was fastest in round 1, group A at 199.840; #43-Almirola was fastest in round 1, group B at 202.370mph. #48-Johnson was fastest in round 2 at 201.925mph.
During round 1, group A there was a wreck when #15-Bowyer tried to pass #44-Sorenson, came back up and turned the #44, sending both cars into the wall. #32-Labonte rear-ended the #15 and had heavy damage. Other cars damaged were #11-Hamlin and #23-Yeley. Labonte and Yeley advanced to round 2, but cars were too damaged to run.
Both #11-Hamlin and #88-Earnhardt Jr. failed post-qualifying inspection and will start at the rear of the field in their respective duels as they had their times disallowed.
Speeds counted from any of the three qualifying rounds which locked #43-Aric Almirola, #17-Stenhouse Jr., #19-Edwards and #1-Jamie McMurray.(NASCAR Newswire)
CORRECTION: Thirteen drivers are locked into the Daytona 500: #24-Gordon (pole), #48-Johnson (outside pole), #43-Almirola (speed, any round 202.340), #17-Stenhouse Jr. (speed), #19-Edwards (speed), #1-McMurray (speed), #4-Harvick (2014 owners points, 1st), #31-Newman (points, 2nd), #11-Hamlin (points, 3rd), #22-Logano (points, 4th), #2-Keselowski (points, 5th), #20-Kenseth (points 7th) and #14-Stewart (champions provisional).
See round-by-round qualifying speeds on the Daytona 500 Qualifying page.
See Budweiser Duel 150 starting lineups on the 2015 Budweiser Duel 150's News and Info page.(2-15-2015)

Earnhardt Jr.'s car fails post qualifying tech inspection: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s crew chief, Greg Ives comments on the #88 being too low in post qualifying inspection:
ON BEING TOO LOW FOLLOWING POST QUALIFYING INSPECTION FOR THE DAYTONA 500:
Ives: "Obviously NASCAR does a great job inspecting the cars and they found that our ride heights after qualifying were too low. They did their due diligence of allowing us to go through their processes of how they deal with it. In the end we still ended up low. It's unfortunate for the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet SS team. We were definitely not trying to do anything intentional here. I don't feel it was an advantage that got us to our 10th place position, but it is definitely something that can be frowned upon and not looked as being compliant to the rules and that is what we need to stick to." The #88 Nationwide Chevy will start from the 25th position in Thursday's qualifying race.(Team Chevy), #11-Hamlin's car also failed post qualifying inspection and will start the qualifying race from the rear.(2-15-2015)

Qualifying Fast Facts - Daytona:
#24-Jeff Gordon won the Coors Light Pole Award for the The 57th Annual Daytona 500 with a lap of 44.711 seconds, 201.293 mph.
This is his 78th pole in 762 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and first top-10 start in 2015.
This is his fourth pole in 45 races at Daytona International Speedway.
#48-Jimmie Johnson (second) posted his first top-10 start of 2015 and his 19th in 27 races at Daytona International Speedway.
Hendrick Motorsports has swept the front row of the Daytona 500 four times: 2015, 2011, 2010 and 1989.
Jeff Gordon's pole speed is the first official pole above 200 mph at Daytona since 1987 (Bill Elliott, 210.364 mph)
(NASCAR Statistics)(2-15-2015)

Coverage of Qualifying for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 1:30pm/et.
Television (TV): FOX, 1:00pm/et
Radio: Live online at Motor Racing Network (MRN)
Scheduled Qualifying Re-Air: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at 10:00am/et on FS1.

Qualifying Order for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is posted. 49 cars/drivers are listed.
The driver scheduled to line up first on pit road is #2-Keselowski.
The driver scheduled to line up last on pit road is #3-Dillon.
Qualifying order is set by a random draw, held about an hour before the first practice.
Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on a random draw. Vehicles drawing an odd number will be in the first group with even numbers in the second group.
See the full qualifying order on Jayski.com's Daytona Qualifying Page.(2-14-2015)

Second practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 115 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest and notes:
#95-McDowell 199.322
#48-Johnson 199.313
#33-Dillon 199.300
#5-Kahne 199.080
#24-Gordon 199.058
slowest: #46-Annett 192.025 & #30-Hornaday 192.299.
42 of 49 drivers made runs
no runs / speed: #'s 1, 4, 15, 20, 41, 43, 55
NOTES: #31-Newman and #78-Truex Jr. both trailed smoke about 20 minutes into practice. Newman lost an engine and the team will change it. So Newman will start at the rear of the field for the Budweiser Duel. The #78 had a cracked oil pan and the team plans to make repairs without changing the engine.
See the speeds, laps run on the Practice 2 Speeds (pdf).(2-14-2015)

First practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, after 115 scheduled minutes, the top five, slowest:
#17-Stenhouse Jr. 202.643
#9-Hornish Jr. 202.193
#6-Bayne 202.193
#43-Almirola 201.979
#88-Earnhardt Jr. 201.767
slowest: #44-Sorenson 186.831 and #30-Hornaday 189.290.
48 of 49 drivers made runs
no runs/speed: #78-Truex Jr.
2nd practice is scheduled for 1:30pm/et and will air on FS2.(2-14-2015)

UPDATE Entry List for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is posted, 49 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #21-Ryan Blaney, #29-Justin Marks, #30-Ron Hornaday, #32-Bobby Labonte, #33-Ty Dillon, #44-Reed Sorenson, #62-Brian Scott, #66-Mike Wallace, #83-Johnny Sauter, #95-Michael McDowell.
Drivers who need to get in by qualifying speed or race into the Daytona 500 via the Budweiser Duel 150 qualifying races and have no provisional available to them (lowest in 2014 owners points): #19-Edwards, #29-Marks, #30-Hornaday, #34-Ragan, #44-Sorenson, #46-Annett
Drivers who would miss the race in the unlikely event that both qualifying and the Budweiser Duels are cancelled (least 2014 race attempts): #19-Edwards, #21-Blaney, #29-Marks, #30-Hornaday, #34-Ragan [switched owners points with #35], #46-Annett
NOTES: #19-Edwards is a new team and has no owners points, no deals or switches were made.
Front Row Motorsports switched owners points between the #34-Ragan team (32nd) and #35-Whitt team (48th, 10 attempts).
#44-Sorenson is not listed on NASCAR's entry list but the team made an announcement that they will make an attempt.
UPDATE: #87-Nemechek has withdrawn and #44-Sorenson has been officially added to the entry list.
See the full entry list at my Jayski.com's Daytona Entry List

Group qualifying for the Daytona 500: Qualifying for the Daytona 500 is unlike any other auto racing qualifying procedure. Drivers have multiple opportunities to qualify for the season-opening race, as opposed to the usual format of one qualifying session per event. The first chance comes via Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying, which will be held Sunday, Feb. 15 at 1:00pm/et on FOX. For the first time, group qualifying will be used to set the Daytona 500 field, and the new process will change the way positions 33-36 make the show. The other chance is the Budweiser Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races held on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7:00pm/et on FOX Sports 1.

1) Daytona 500 Coors Light Pole Qualifying
* Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on a random draw. Vehicles drawing an odd number will be in the first group with even numbers in the second group. The first round is five minutes, and the 24 fastest cars advance to the second round. Following a ten-minute break, the second round will be five minutes with the fastest 12 advancing to the third and final round. A seven-minute break will precede the third round, which will last five minutes. The top two cars will make up the front row for the Daytona 500.
* The Duel at Daytona, two 150-mile qualifying races, will determine starting positions for the Daytona 500 beyond the front row. The fastest qualifier in Coors Light Pole Qualifying will be on the pole for the first Duel at Daytona, and the second-fastest qualifier will be on the pole for the second Duel at Daytona. In the event of cancellation, the field will be set according to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book.

a) Qualifying will consist of three rounds with the first round divided into two groups based on the random drawing. Those vehicles with an odd numbered random drawing number will be assigned in the first group. Those vehicles with an even numbered random drawing number will be assigned in the second group.
b) The first Qualifying round is five minutes in duration for each group, unless otherwise authorized by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Managing Director.
c) There will be a seven-minute break upon completion of the first group.
d) The 24 eligible vehicles that post the fastest single lap speed from either first Qualifying round groups will advance to the second Qualifying round.
e) The remaining vehicles will be sorted in descending order based on their fastest single lap speed posted in the first round of Qualifying to determine qualifying positions.
f) There will be a ten-minute break after the completion of the first Qualifying round and the 24 remaining vehicles that advance to the second Qualifying round will have their speeds reset.
g) The second Qualifying round is five minutes in duration and the 12 eligible vehicles that post the fastest single lap speed will advance to the final Qualifying round.
h) The remaining vehicles will be sorted in descending order for Qualifying positions 13th - 24th based on their fastest single lap speed posted in second Qualifying round.
i) There will be a seven-minute break after the completion of the second Qualifying round and the 12 eligible vehicles that advance to the final Qualifying round will have their speeds reset.
j) The final Qualifying round is five minutes in duration and vehicles will be sorted in descending order for Qualifying positions 1st - 12th based on their fastest single lap speed.

Duel at Daytona
* Those cars earning odd-numbered positions from qualifying will be assigned to the first Duel race.
* Those cars earning even-numbered positions from qualifying will compete in the second race.
* The starting positions for each Duel race will also be based on qualifying times.

Daytona 500 lineup
* The two fastest qualifiers during Coors Light Pole Qualifying earn starting positions one and two.
* The highest 15 finishers in each Duel race -- excluding the already locked-in front row -- will earn a spot in the Daytona 500, and fill positions 3-32.
* Based on their finishing position in the first Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the inside row (odd-number starting positions).
* Based on their finishing position in the second Duel race, the top 15 will line up on the outside row (even-number starting positions).
* Positions 33-36 will go to the four fastest cars from any round of Coors Light Pole Qualifying that have not already earned a spot.
* Positions 37-42 will be provisional positions, and go to the highest six cars in previous season owner points that are present, have entered by the entry deadline and have not already qualified via the Duel or Coors Light Pole Qualifying. Set by the last round of qualifying speed driver competed in, round 3 speeds first, then 2nd, etc.
* The 43rd starting position will be assigned to any car owner who has the most recent eligible past NASCAR Sprint Cup champion who did not make the field by any other method, providing the driver had competed in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. If the 43rd position remains unused, it will be assigned to the next highest car in previous season owner points not already locked into the field.

For the group qualifying rules and format, see my Qualifying Rules page

How to Calculate Track Speeds: use the formula Speed = Distance divided by Time. Distance is Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be: Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x 189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph

Chassis selections for this weeks race: see the list of many teams [that report or post them] and what chassis were selected by the team to run in Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
If a driver/team is not listed, the team doe NOT report chassis information on pre-race PR, website or social media:

#3-Austin Dillon will pilot Chassis No. 493 in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This is a new DOW Chevrolet SS that will also be utilized for Thursday's Duels.
#4-Kevin Harvick will utilize Chassis No. 814 in the Daytona 500 and was built in 2014 and finished fifth in the 2014 Sprint Unlimited and served as the backup for both races at Talladega in 2014.
#5-Kasey Kahne: Crew chief Keith Rodden has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 5-856 for Sunday's Daytona 500. Notably, Kahne drove the car to finishes of eighth place and 12th place in two races at Talladega in 2014. He also piloted the chassis at Daytona in July 2014.
#10-Danica Patrick: will drive Chassis No. 919 which is a brand-new racecar that has only been tested in the wind tunnel since being built.
#14-Tony Stewart: Chassis No. 14-836 was a brand new car in 2014 and it saw limited action. Its debut came during preseason testing Jan. 9-10 at Daytona and its only race came in May at Talladega where it started 12th and finished 43rd after being collected in a multicar crash on lap 137. It has fresh Chevrolet SS sheet metal and has logged countless hours in the wind tunnel in preparation for its second career start in the Budweiser Duel qualifying race for the 57th Daytona 500.
#15-Clint Bowyer: Chassis No. 793 serves as the primary chassis for Bowyer in the Sprint Unlimited. This is a new chassis. Chassis No. 811 serves as the back-up chassis. This chassis raced at Talladega in October, finishing 3rd and at Daytona in July, finishing 9th.
#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: primary chassis (no longer posting chassis numbers in PR's) is a new chassis.
#24-Jeff Gordon: Crew chief Alan Gustafson, a native of nearby Ormond Beach, Florida, has selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 24-887 for Sunday's race. The chassis has been raced twice, with Gordon piloting it at Talladega in October 2014 and at Daytona in July 2014.
#27-Paul Menard will utilize chassis No. 447 for both the Duel qualifying race and Daytona 500. This #27 PEAK/Menards Chevrolet SS was utilized during all three races in 2014 at the 2.5-mile superspeedway where Menard finished 10th in the Duel, 32nd in the Daytona 500 and 16th in the July event.
#30-Ron Hornaday: The Motorsports Group will unload chassis No. 702 for the 57th annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This chassis has a brand new superspeedway body and will make its debut during Speedweeks with Hornaday as he attempts to make his second NSCS start at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
#31-Ryan Newman will pilot a brand new chassis, No. 494, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener, the Daytona 500, at Daytona International Speedway. This #31 Caterpillar Chevrolet SS was utilized for the first time during last week's Daytona 500 practice sessions.
#32-Bobby Labonte Crew Chief Clinton Cram will be bringing chassis 689 to serve as the primary car. This chassis previously ran in all four restrictor plate races in 2014 with Terry Labonte. Chassis 650 will serve as the backup car, which previously ran in the fall event at Talladega in 2013.
#33-Ty Dillon will pilot chassis No. 482 for the 57th running of the Daytona 500. This newly prepared Chevrolet SS saw track action for the first time last weekend during practice and qualifying.
#48-Jimmie Johnson: For the Daytona 500, crew chief Chad Knaus selected Hendrick Motorsports Chassis No. 48-871, which is the Chevrolet SS Johnson raced at Talladega for both events in 2014 and in the 400-mile event last July at Daytona.
#55-Michael Waltrip: will drive primary chassis 789 which won the pole, finished 20th at Talladega in October with Brian Vickers behind wheel. The backup chassis will be 748 which finished 41st in 2014 Daytona 500 and 25th at Talladega in May with Waltrip.
#62-Brian Scott: is scheduled to pilot chassis No. 495 in Sunday's 57th running of the Daytona 500. This is a new chassis that was utilized for the first time during last week's Daytona 500 practice sessions at Daytona International Speedway.
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.: For the Daytona 500, crew chief Greg Ives has selected Chassis No. 88-872. Earnhardt most recently raced the chassis to a 14th-place finish at Daytona last July.
(from numerous team PR's/sites)

Tire: Goodyear Eagle Superspeedway Radials

Set limits:
Unlimited: 6 sets for the event;
Daytona 500: 10 sets for practice/qualifying/Duels; 10 sets for the race;
Nationwide: 4 sets for the event;
Camping World Truck: 4 sets for the event

Tire Codes:
Left-side -- D-4596; Right-side -- D-4600

Tire Circumference:
Left-side -- 87.99 in. (2,235 mm);
Right-side -- 88.50 in. (2,248 mm)

Minimum Recommended Inflation:
Left Front -- 27 psi; Left Rear -- 27 psi;
Right Front -- 50 psi; Right Rear -- 48 psi

Notes: Teams in all three NASCAR series will run the same Goodyear tire codes at Daytona throughout Speedweeks . . . this is the same combination of left- and right-side tires that these teams have run at Daytona since July 2013 . . . Xfinity and Camping World Truck teams have also run this tire set-up at Talladega over that same span . . . Sprint Cup teams ran this set-up at Talladega for two races -- October 2013 and May 2014 -- before changing the right-side tire at that track last October . . . as on all NASCAR ovals greater than one mile in length, teams are required to run inner liners in all four tire positions at Daytona . . . air pressure in those inner liners should be 12-25 psi greater than that of the outer tire.

Goodyear Blimp: Goodyear's "Spirit of Innovation" airship, based out of Pompano Beach. Fla., will be in the air over Daytona International Speedway throughout Speedweeks . . . the ship will be a part of television coverage for the Sprint Unlimited and Sprint Cup qualifying during the first week, and the Budweiser Duels and the Camping World Truck, Xfinity and Sprint Cup races during the second week.

Vegas Insider
Race and Championship odds
Daytona 500 Race Preview by Micah Roberts
NASCAR Top-Five Finish Prediction

Bovada Sportsbook:
Odds to win the 2015 Sprint Cup Championship
Race Odds

Don Best:
Sprint Cup Championship / Race

Odds to Win the Daytona 500 @ Daytona International Speedway:
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 9/1
Jeff Gordon #24 12/1
Jimmie Johnson #48 12/1
Joey Logano #22 12/1
Kevin Harvick #4 12/1
Kyle Busch #18 12/1
Matt Kenseth #20 12/1
Brad Keselowski #2 14/1
Carl Edwards #19 14/1
Denny Hamlin #11 14/1
Tony Stewart #14 16/1
Jamie McMurray #1 20/1
Kurt Busch #41 20/1
Kyle Larson #42 20/1
Clint Bowyer #15 25/1
Greg Biffle #16 25/1
Kasey Kahne #5 25/1
Trevor Bayne #60 28/1
Ryan Newman #31 33/1
Danica Patrick #10 40/1
Martin Truex Jr. #78 40/1
Paul Menard #27 40/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 40/1
A.J. Allmendinger #47 50/1
Aric Almirola #43 50/1
Austin Dillon #3 50/1
Michael Waltrip #55 50/1
Ryan Blaney #21 50/1
David Ragan #34 66/1
Ty Dillon #33 66/1
Casey Mears #13 75/1
Justin Allgaier #51 75/1
Ron Hornaday #30 75/1
Sam Hornish Jr. #9 75/1
Bobby Labonte #32 100/1
David Gilliland #38 100/1
Alex Bowman #7 150/1
Cole Whitt #35 150/1
J.J. Yeley #23 150/1
Jeb Burton #26 150/1
Johnny Sauter #83 150/1
Josh Wise #98 150/1
Justin Marks #29 150/1
Landon Cassill #40 150/1
Michael Annett #46 150/1
Mike Wallace #66 150/1
Reed Sorenson #44 150/1
(Bovada)(2-18-2015)

Odds to win the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship:
Jimmie Johnson 13/2
Jeff Gordon 15/2
Kevin Harvick 15/2
Brad Keselowski 8/1
Joey Logano 9/1
Matt Kenseth 10/1
Carl Edwards 10/1
Kyle Busch 10/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 10/1
Denny Hamlin 14/1
Kyle Larson 16/1
Tony Stewart 22/1
Kasey Kahne 25/1
Kurt Busch 25/1
Clint Bowyer 40/1
Ryan Newman 40/1
Greg Biffle 50/1
Jamie McMurray 50/1
Austin Dillon 66/1
Brian Vickers 100/1
A.J. Allmendinger 200/1
(Bovada)(updated 2-18-2015)