The field is set for the 2025 Daytona 500 — but not without a little hint of controversy.
There was nothing contentious about Daytona 500 qualifying earlier in the week, where pole winner Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric claimed the front row spots. During the second Duel race on Thursday night (Feb. 13), however, things got a little more interesting.
With the field coming to the checkered flag, a late wreck entangled multiple cars. NASCAR decided to throw a virtually last-second caution, freezing the field when the yellow lights came on.
That ended up making a difference, as Erik Jones thought he won the race and even went to get the flag. After review, Cindric was found to be leading the field at the time of the caution and declared the winner.
Amidst Jones’ disappointment and fan bewilderment over the call, it’s important to remember that the Duel 2 result didn’t affect the Daytona 500 lineup at all. Jones will still start fourth, the same position he’d have earned with a victory, with Cindric locked into the front row thanks to his qualifying effort.
If nothing else, it sets the scene for Sunday and adds another talking point or two. With the Duels now done, here’s a look at how the drivers will line up for the Great American Race.
2025 Daytona 500 Lineup
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyta
- Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
- Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
- Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
- Corey LaJoie, No. 01 Rick Ware Racing Ford
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Ford
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Justin Allgaier, No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet
- Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
- Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
- Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
- Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
- Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet
- Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
- Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Martin Truex Jr., No. 56 Tricon Garage Toyota
- Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Helio Castroneves, No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Which Drivers Didn’t Make the Daytona 500?
With 45 drivers vying for 40 or 41 spots, that meant at least four drivers were going home without making the race. As it turned out, Helio Castroneves was slow enough in qualifying and finished far enough back in his Duel (coming home 22nd out of 23 cars in Duel 1) that he ended in the extra 41st spot on the grid permitted by NASCAR’s new Open Exemption Provisional.
But while Castroneves didn’t prevent any open cars from earning a spot, that will come as small consolation to Chandler Smith, JJ Yeley, Anthony Alfredo and BJ McLeod. Corey LaJoie and Justin Allgaier were the non-chartered drivers who raced into the field thanks to their performance in the Duels, with former Cup Series champions Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson earning spots thanks to their qualifying speed.
Coverage of the 2025 Daytona 500 begins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, live on FOX and Max.
What an abysmal representation of what factually happened to Castroneves. He didn’t make the Rules, Trackhouse didn’t write the Rules and NASCAR DID! So take your pettiness out with NASCAR Officials. How the hell did you get your job??
If you fail to publish my original comment on this article, I will seek remedy from NASCAR including persuing whatever avenues lead to having your credentials permanently revoked by the sanctioning body and any “professional standards” external to NASCAR.
And for The Record: I have taken steps to evidence all correspondence to support any claims I make to NASCAR and or others,
You’ve made your choise and exercised your ability to restrict Freedom of Speech.
I now intend to exercise miine and persue remedy with NASCAR and or others
Sunday start time now 1:30 due to “weather”! Rain Gods seem to hate the examples of Brian’s product.