As the sun sets over Daytona International Speedway, the back half of the NASCAR Cup Series garage comes alive with anticipation. Qualifying for the Great American Race is always a spectacle, but for some, it’s more than just a battle for starting position—it’s a fight to make the show.
Leading this group onto the track is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the No. 47 Chevrolet, the defending Daytona 500 winner. While Stenhouse is locked into the race, he’s eager to start his title defense on the right foot, proving his team still has the superspeedway prowess that took them to victory lane last February.
Behind him, several open cars—those without a guaranteed starting spot—begin their crucial runs. Among them is Martin Truex Jr., piloting the No. 56 Toyota for a rare Daytona 500 attempt. The 2017 Cup champion has never won the 500, and while this effort is largely sentimental, it’s still a competitive entry capable of shaking things up.
Another legendary name in the mix is Jimmie Johnson in the No. 84 Chevrolet. The seven-time champion is making yet another bid at Daytona, and with his legacy already cemented, all eyes will be on whether he can secure a spot in Sunday’s race.
Open-wheel ace Helio Castroneves, in the No. 91 Chevrolet, is also among the hopefuls. The four-time Indianapolis 500 champion is trying to become the latest IndyCar star to make the crossover to NASCAR’s biggest stage. His team, Trackhouse Racing, has given him a strong car, but it’s up to Castroneves to lock himself into the field.
Another intriguing entry is Corey LaJoie, who is driving the No. 01 Ford in an unexpected twist for the underdog driver. LaJoie, typically behind the wheel of the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports, is taking on this extra challenge in an effort to secure another car in the big race.
Rounding out this group are Anthony Alfredo in the No. 62 and Justin Allgaier in the No. 40. Alfredo is no stranger to superspeedway battles, while Allgaier—a longtime Xfinity Series contender—is looking for another shot at making the Daytona 500, something that has eluded him in past attempts.
For some, this run is about fine-tuning their cars for Sunday. For others, it’s about survival. With only a handful of open spots available, the battle to make the Daytona 500 is just beginning.
