The 2023 Daytona 500 is right around the corner as NASCAR has completed the Qualifying Duels scheduled for Thursday night. It was an intense night of on-track action that featured two close finishes at the checkered flag.
As the field is locked in place with the official starting lineup, it’s time to dive into what is important to know about the Daytona 500 this year.
Daytona 500 race info
Here is everything you need to know before the Daytona 500 takes the green flag on Sunday.
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- TV info: FOX
- Location: Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida
- Date: Sunday, February 19, 2023
- Broadcasters: Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and Tony Stewart
3 drivers to watch during the Daytona 500
Austin Cindric looks to repeat in the Great American Race
Austin Cindric enters the Daytona 500 in a completely different situation than he did last year. Before last year’s event, Cindric was a rookie looking to start off his season on the right note. But, it started off better than anyone could have imagined with a victory.
Now, he looks to become the first driver to repeat as the winner since Denny Hamlin in 2019 and 2020. Before Hamlin accomplished that feat, it had not happened since Sterling Marlin in 1994 and 1995.
The driver of the No. 2 car has another good vehicle for this weekend’s event. Cindric qualified in eighth place on Wednesday night before coming up just short of Aric Almirola in the second Qualifying Duel on Thursday night.
Ford Performance swept the Qualifying Duels and showed its incredible pace on superspeedway tracks once again. If that translates to the Great American Race on Sunday, Cindric could be in a good position to repeat as the winner.
Related: 5 best Daytona 500 drivers in the event’s history
Kevin Harvick competes in possibly his final Daytona 500
Kevin Harvick announced his intentions to retire from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2023 season which means this likely could be his final time competing in the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
Harvick has won the Great American Race only once in his NASCAR career when he beat Mark Martin in one of the best finishes in the event’s history. Now, he will look to reclaim the magic of that night and start his farewell season on top.
The driver of the No. 4 car for Stewart-Haas Racing qualified in 17th place on Wednesday night but just like his Ford Performance teammates, he ran well during the first Qualifying Duel with a sixth-place finish.
The manufacturer seems to be the favorite every single year and that plays right into Harvick’s hands. If he can survive the chaos during the first two stages, watch out for Harvick to steal the show once again.
Jimmie Johnson officially makes his return to the NASCAR Cup Series
Jimmie Johnson is back. After spending two years away from NASCAR, the seven-time Cup Series champion has clinched a spot in the Daytona 500 after needing to qualify in a non-chartered vehicle.
In fact, Johnson was the highest open entry on Wednesday night in 23rd place but unfortunate luck for the entire Chevrolet camp gave him a 14th-place finish in the first Qualifying Duel. This was due to the pit strategy that Ford Performance perfectly played out.
The driver of the No. 84 car for Legacy Motor Club last competed in the Daytona 500 during the 2020 season when he crashed out for a 35th-place finish. Johnson did lead some laps during the event.
The 47-year-old driver will look for a better outcome this time around and he has shown the speed to give himself a chance. Johnson is the biggest storyline of this year’s Daytona 500 and it will be interesting to see how he competes on Sunday.
Daytona 500 prediction
The buildup to this season’s Daytona 500 has been one of the most dramatic in recent years due to Johnson, Travis Pastrana, and more. However, this year’s event will represent the idea of finally overcoming the bad luck that has plagued one driver for so long.
Brad Keselowski, the driver of the No. 6 car for RFK Racing, will finally etch his name into Daytona 500 history and claim the victory. Keselowski has not been as flashy as last year through the Qualifying Duels but sometimes, that makes a driver even more dangerous.
This is the 14th time that Keselowski will compete in the Daytona 500. He has come so close but never found victory lane. Keselowski’s luck will finally change and knock off the one item missing from his resume.
- Prediction: Brad Keselowski wins the 2023 Daytona 500