Engines are roaring in Daytona again! Happy Speedweek, Daily Downforce readers! Tonight was qualifying for the front row of the 67th running of the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. For the first time all year, we got to see what these teams had in terms of sheer speed. Additionally, for the first time in years the entry list was absolutely stacked. Hall of Famers, Indy 500 winners, Supercar champs, and perhaps the world’s most popular owner all had open cars to attempt to make this race. Who was able to qualify on speed and who will have to race their way into the big show in tomorrow night’s duels? Moreover, who snatched the first official pole award of 2025? Let’s break all that down and more! Here is what you missed in Daytona 500 qualifying.
For the first time in the history of NASCAR, a Toyota will lead the field to the green flag during Sunday’s Daytona 500. Chase Briscoe with his new team, the number 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota of JGR, captured the pole for the 67th Great American race on Wednesday night. The time scored was a staggering fast 49,249. In addition, Briscoe will also lead the field to the green in the first of two duel races scheduled to take place on Thursday night. With a new team and manufacturer, Briscoe scored the 19 crew their third pole in a row. Congratulations to them! And watch out for them on Sunday! They’ll be a big threat to win. This is JGR’s first Daytona 500 pole since 1998 with Bobby Labonte.
Scoring the outside pole with a time of 49.325 was Team Penske driver, Austin Cindric. With this run, his starting spot for the Daytona 500 is secured. He will also lead the field to the green flag in tomorrow night’s second duel race. Cindric has been historically fast on superspeedways, being a Champion of the Daytona 500 back in 2022. Watch for all of Team Penske to work together and be bad fast come Sunday.
The first of the open cars to lock himself into the 67th running of the Daytona 500 was Martin Truex Jr., driving his family number of 56 for Tricon Garage. With a time of 49.641, he handily qualified for the race on speed, a sigh of relief for him and his team. Look for this number 56 entry to take it easy in tomorrow night’s duels if things start to get a little hairy. That said, this entry is essentially a fifth JGR car so expect it to perform well in the draft on Sunday.
7-time himself, the living legend and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jimmie Johnson WILL race in the 67th Daytona 500. With a time of 49.783, the Legacy Motor Club managed to qualify for his first of two scheduled races of the 2025 season. The new principal owner of LMC is looking to make some noise this Sunday, like he’s done in the past.
Junior Nation had been waiting for years to witness Dale Jr.’s debut as a NASCAR Cup Series owner and 2025 is the year at long last. That’s right, JR Motorsports will attempt to qualify for their first Daytona 500 as a team, fielding the number 40 Traveler’s Whiskey Chevrolet for defending Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier. Unfortunately, on Wednesday night, the number 40 failed to make the race on speed as only the two fastest of the open cars locked themselves in. As a result, Allgaier will have to race his way in during one of Thursday night’s 150-mile Duels. Fortunately, the car was prepared by Hendrick Motorsports with JRM using Hendrick horsepower under the hood. Barring any on-track incidents, this team should qualify for the Daytona 500 tomorrow night.
For 2025, the Stacking Pennies podcast host is taking a step back from full-time racing in the Cup Series. Rather, he’ll split his time running part-time in the number 01 Ford Mustang for his own team in collaboration with Rick Ware Racing and working for the Amazon broadcast team. For qualifying tonight, LaJoie was surprisingly fast, just barely missing the top-2 of the open cars. Unfortunately, he will have to race his way in his duel race Thursday night. But considering how strong LaJoie has been on superspeedways in the past, he should have no problem. He’s looking to lean on his experience heading into his race tomorrow night.
One of the more controversial entries on the entry list is the Project 91 car fielded by Trackhouse and their driver Helio Castroneves. What makes this entry so controversial is that Castroneves was granted a guaranteed starting spot due to being a “world-class driver” in the event that he did not qualify on speed or race his way into the big show in his duel race on Thursday night. Castroneves had a decent pace during qualifying, but it was not enough to lock his way into the Daytona 500 on speed. He will try to race his way into the race during his duel on Thursday night. However, if he fails to race his way in, he still will be granted a starting spot. Via the provisional rule, a 41st spot will be added in the event that Castroneves fails to qualify. However, if he has to take the provisional, he will be ineligible for points or purse money.
Anthony Alfredy enters with the number 62 for Beard Motorsports. This entry is usually pretty strong on superspeedway tracks. Though the car significantly underperformed compared to the other open entries, it typically races much better in the draft. Don’t be shocked if Fast Pasta sneaks his way in the show tomorrow night, knocking out some of the heavier hitters.
Chandler Smith will attempt to make the Daytona 500 as a late entry, driving the number 66 for Carl Long’s team. Smith was fairly off the pace compared to the other open cars. He will need to race his way into the race during his duel race tomorrow night.
B. J. McLeod and his number 78 Live Fast team are back again to attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500. He just barely missed the show last year and he’s looking to right that wrong during the duels tomorrow night.
The slowest of the open cars during Wednesday night’s qualifying session was veteran J. J. Yeley. He raced his way into the Daytona 500 last year during his duel race. He will need to do the same tomorrow night in order to make the Great American Race.
The checkered flag has been waived, and the track has gone quiet in Daytona. Qualifying for the 67th running of the Great American race is officially in the books! How do you feel about our pole winner, race fans? Also, what do you think about the open cars? Were you surprised by Truex and Johnson qualifying in on time? What about the JRM entry or Castroneves? Let us know what you’re thinking! The 2025 NASCAR season is officially here! Be sure to keep tuning back in here at DailyDownforce.com all week long! The duels are tomorrow night. The Truck race is Friday night. We have the ARCA and Xfinity Series race on Saturday. All of this is leading up to the 67th running of the Daytona 500. You don’t want to miss it!
