It has been one hundred days as of today since the last points-paying race at Phoenix. We saw Joey Logano grab his second championship and just cement his legacy a bit more. However, that’s in the past, it’s now Daytona week 2023. I mean besides the fact we have actual NASCAR Cup Series racing on again. I think there are a few things we all should be watching going forward this week and into the Great American Race on Sunday.
Big Names in “Open Cars”
If you are new here then you know each year, we always have some cars that have no guaranteed starting spot in the race. Well, some of those cars are going to be driven by some big names not only in NASCAR but motorsports as a whole. I promise we will get to the drivers in a second. These open drivers have one of two ways to make it into the big show on Sunday. They can either be one of two cars who qualify on speed during tomorrow night’s single-car qualifying. Now those two cars automatically lock in for the race on Sunday. If you can’t do that then you will move on to Thursday’s “Duel” races to beat the other “open” cars for a spot. So, just be fast enough, and you’re good, right?
A packed field for qualifying and the duels! #DAYTONA500 https://t.co/3rgXXq13j8
— Everything Nascar! (@Nascar4Every1) February 14, 2023
Which may be easier said than done this year. Because while six teams are attempting to make the race only four spots are guaranteed. So, four spots for six really good racecar drivers to claim.
- Chandler Smith – Kaulig Racing
- Zane Smith – Front Row Motorsports
- Austin Hill – Beard Motorsports
- Conor Daly – TMT Racing
- Travis Pastrana – 23XI Racing
- Jimmie Johnson – Legacy Motor Club
So you’ve got multiple wins in Truck Series, and even the reigning series champion in the first three drivers on the list. Then you have an Indycar regular, with a multitude of successes through the ranks of open-wheel racing. Some four-time Rally America champion, X-Games Goldmetalist, and Monster Jam driver taking out a car from a pretty good team. Then to wrap the list up some would argue the best to ever drive a stock car. Do I need to go any further? These open drivers could absolutely make an impact this Daytona week.
Front Row Streaks
The crazy thing to me is that during arguably the most important event of the NASCAR season one manufacturer and engine shop have dominated the sport for eight seasons in a row. Chevrolet and the Hendrick Engine shop have been sitting on the pole for eight consecutive seasons. So, for eight seasons in a row, those men and women in the Hendrick engine shop have kicked every other engine shop’s tail. While simultaneously not once letting a Ford or Toyota driver lead the field to the green flag of the Great American Race. That shows some dominance in my opinion. Will that continue, or will one of the other manufacturers and engine shops come to play?
With the dominance of Chevrolet and Hendrick Engines, it’s only normal to figure that a Hendrick Motorsports driver would be accomplishing that feat. Well, of course, that driver is Alex Bowman who has set on the front row for five seasons in a row. Also, Hendrick Motorsports as a whole has now had two consecutive pole position wins. So, we easily could see a few huge streaks that end tomorrow night on day three of Daytona week. I guess you want to know what times you need to be watching if you’re not attending then right?
Daytona Week Schedule.
So any race weekend at least in NASCAR has one of the coolest ways of starting. Daytona week isn’t started until this evening when those beautiful cup series haulers enter the infield around 7:15 PM eastern. However at least for the cup series that’s it; until well tomorrow around 8:15 PM eastern when qualifying officially starts. Now after qualifying all of these cars will be impounded until preparation time for the first “duel” race Thursday night around 7 PM eastern. Then we will have an official starting lineup for the Daytona 500. Which should start around 2:30 PM, Sunday.
Of course, you can’t forget about the Truck Series or Xfinity Series either. The truck series will race Friday night around 7:30 eastern. Then on Saturday, the Xfinity Series will be barring any weather delays starting around 5 PM eastern. So are you ready for some freaking NASCAR racing? I sure as heck have been ready for a while.
If you love NASCAR make sure you stay with us here. Also, for all of your other sports needs make sure to follow the main Belly-Up page. If you love racing of any shape or form, definitely make sure you find me on Twitter!
