What’s Happening?

While not the cutoff race this season, Daytona is set to make the cutoff race at Darlington one to remember. While the Cup and Xfinity Series cars are in Florida, the NASCAR Truck Series will take on the Milwaukee Mile in Wisconsin. Two races remain until the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, and for many underdogs, Daytona may be their final shot to lock themselves in with a win.

• Daytona International Speedway has been NASCAR’s original superspeedway since its 1959 opening. As host to two NASCAR traditions, The Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero Sugar 400, the 2.5-mile tri-oval is a piece of history. The track is known for its high banks and fast speeds; every lap will happen this weekend is part of racing history.
• The NASCAR Cup Series has raced at Daytona in the summer since 1959. Traditionally held on July Fourth, the then Firecracker 400 has seen many memorable races. Like Richard Petty’s 200th win and Dale Jr.’s first win at Daytona in 2001. Now an August tradition, the 400-mile race is a fan favorite and family tradition for some.
• First debuting at the track in 2002, the NASCAR Xfinity Series summer race at Daytona is no stranger to memorable moments, such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning in the No. 3 with Wrangler on board in 2010. The 250-mile race is a fan favorite.

Weekend TV Schedule (All Times ET)

Friday, August 23rd – Xfinity Practice/Qualifying/RACE

• 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Xfinity Series Practice/Qualifying on USA
• 5:05 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Cup Series Practice/Qualifying on USA
• 7:30 p.m. – Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola on USA

Saturday, August 24 – Truck Series Practice/Qualifying – Cup Series RACE

• 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Craftsman Truck Series Practice/Qualifying
• 7:30 p.m. – Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400

Sunday, August 25 – Craftsman Truck Series RACE

• 4:00 p.m. – Craftsman Truck Series Liuna! 175 on FS1

Race Facts

Daytona International Speedway

• Year Built: 1959
• Length: 2.5 Mile
• Shape: D-Shaped Oval
• Banking: 31 Degrees in Turns; 18 Degrees on Frontstretch; 3 Degrees on Backstretch
• Surface: Asphalt
• Lights?: Yes
• Rain Tires?: No

Craftsman Truck Series (at Milwaukee Mile)

• Race Length: 175 Laps (177.625 Miles)
• Stages: Laps 55 Laps (Stages 1 & 2), 65 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: Grant Enfinger (2023)
• Former Winners in the Field: Jeremy Clements (2022), Grant Enfinger (2023)

Xfinity Series

• Race Length: 100 Laps (250 Miles)
• Stages: Laps 30 Laps (Stages 1 & 2), 40 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: Justin Allgaier (2023)
• Former Winners in the Field: Jeremy Clements (2022), Justin Allgaier (2023)

Cup Series

• Race Length: 200 Laps (400 Miles)
• Stages: 35 Laps (Stage 1), 60 Laps (Stage 2), 65 Laps (Stage 3)
• Most-Recent Winner: Chris Buescher (2023)
• Former Richmond Winners in the Field: Chris Buescher (2023), Austin Dillon (2022), Ryan Blaney (2021), William Byron (2020), Justin Haley (2019), Erik Jones(2018), Ricky Stenhouse Jr (2017), Brad Keselowski (2016), Kyle Busch (2008)

Entry Lists

Craftsman Truck Series (at Milwaukee Mile)

A total of 37 trucks are entered for 38 spots in Milwaukee. No Trucks will miss the race. Notable entries include:

• William Sawalich – No. 1 – TRICON Garage
• Dexter Bean – No. 02 – Young’s Motorsports
• Marco Andretti – No. 04 – Roper Racing
• Norm Benning – No. 6 – Norm Benning Racing
• Sammy Smith – No. 7 – Spire Motorsports
• Mason Maggio – No. 22 – Reaume Brothers Racing
• Matthew Gould – No. 44 – Niece Motorsports
• Kaden Honeycutt – No. 45 – Niece Motorsports
• Conner Jones – No. 66 – ThorSport Racing
• Justin Carroll – No. 90 – Terry Carroll Motorsports
• Jack Wood – No. 91 – McAnally Hilgemann Racing
• Blake Lothian – No. 21 – Floridian Motorsports

Xfinity Series

A total of 38 cars are entered for 38 spots in Daytona. No cars will miss the race. Notable entries include:

• Joe Graf Jr. – No. 19 – Joe Gibs Racing
• Ryan Truex – No. 20 – Joe Gibs Racing
• Jeffery Earnhardt – No. 26 – Sam Hunt Racing
• Jordan Anderson – No. 32 – Jordan Anderson Racing
• Akinori Ogata – No. 35 – Joey Gase Motorsports
• Joey Gase – No. 53 – Joey Gase Motorsports
• Caesar Bacarella – No. 45 – Alpha Prime Racing

Cup Series

A total of 40 cars are entered for 40 spots in Daytona. No cars will miss the race. Notable entries include:

• Cody Ware – No. 15 – Rick Ware Racing
• Shane Van Gisbergen – No. 16 – Kaulig Racing
• Austin Hill – No. 33 – Richard Childress Racing
• Joey Gase – No. 44 – NY Racing
• Parker Retzlaff – No. 62 – Beard Motorsports
• BJ McLeod – No. 78 – Live Fast Motorsports

Qualifying Order

Craftsman Truck Series (at Milwaukee Mile)

Xfinity Series

Cup Series

What To Watch For

Xfinity Series

• With five races until the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, drivers will be desperate to lock themselves in. Daytona could be the final shot for many teams to lock themselves into the playoffs. Sheldon Creed is coming off back-to-back second-place finishes at Daytona; look for the driver of the No. 18 to make a big move this weekend.
• As always with Daytona, a late wreck could spell the end for contenders this weekend. Last year’s race only had two cautions for cause. However, one of those was a lap 96 accident involving 12 cars. Whoever can make it through that crash could walk away with a major victory.

Cup Series

• Much like the Xfinity Series, the Cup Series must watch out for a big wreck late in the race. However, the Cup Series drivers must watch the fuel gauge for most of the race. Superspeedway races have seen significant strategies this season due to fuel mileage concerns.
• Drivers will also have to strategize around playoff points and stage wins. While some drivers are locked in, at least two will get into the Playoffs on points alone. Daytona is not the cut-off race this season. However, slower cars will be just as desperate to make a significant upset.

Note: This article will be updated as more information about the weekend comes out.