The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season begins Sunday with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
The race is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX.
Defending champion William Byron returns, while Chase Briscoe secured the pole position in qualifying.
Byron, who won last year’s Daytona 500 for Hendrick Motorsports, avoided a major crash in the final laps to secure victory.
His team’s ninth win in the event tied a record. Joey Logano, the reigning Cup Series champion, enters the season after winning his third career title.
The race marks the start of a season that includes key events such as the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, the Brickyard 400 on July 27, and the Southern 500 on Aug. 31.
NASCAR will also hold a Cup Series points race in Mexico City on June 15, its first outside the U.S. since 1958. The playoffs begin with the Southern 500, followed by Bristol’s night race on Sept. 13.
The season concludes with the championship race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2.
Offseason changes include the breakup of Stewart-Haas Racing, leading to driver moves: Briscoe to Joe Gibbs Racing, Ryan Preece to RFK Racing, Josh Berry to Wood Brothers Racing, and Noah Gragson to Front Row Motorsports.
Gene Haas has launched Haas Factory, with Cole Custer driving. Michael McDowell shifted to Spire Motorsports, while Zane Smith moved to Front Row. Riley Herbst joined 23XI Racing.
Legal disputes continue as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenge NASCAR’s charter agreements. A preliminary injunction allows them to compete as charter-equivalent teams while NASCAR appeals.
Lead-up events included the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, won by Chase Elliott. Briscoe earned pole position in single-car qualifying, while Austin Cindric secured the other front-row spot.
The 60-lap Duel races, determining the rest of the field, saw victories for Bubba Wallace and Cindric.
Event Details:
- Race: Daytona 500
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025
- Time: 2 p.m. ET
- Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
- TV: FOX
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