The countdown to the 2025 Daytona 500 has officially begun, and the first car to take its place on the grid is none other than the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney. As the Team Penske No. 12 Ford Mustang was rolled onto the starting lineup, Blaney took the symbolic first step toward defending his title in the sport’s biggest race.
Blaney’s Quest for a Daytona 500 Victory
Blaney has been a strong contender at Daytona International Speedway, boasting multiple superspeedway wins and near-misses in the Great American Race. Last year, he finished a heartbreaking second to William Byron, adding to his string of close calls. Now, as the defending Cup Series champion, Blaney is looking to finally add the Harley J. Earl Trophy to his growing resume.
“It’s the biggest race of the year, and we’ve been in position to win it a few times,” Blaney said earlier in the week. “Hopefully, this year is the one where we finally seal the deal.”
The Importance of Starting Strong
While starting position may not be as crucial at Daytona as at other tracks, being the first car on the grid is a symbolic moment, setting the tone for the entire field. For Team Penske, this could be a sign of things to come. Blaney’s teammate, Joey Logano, won the Daytona 500 in 2015, and team owner Roger Penske has a history of success in motorsports’ crown jewel events.
With Fords showing speed throughout Speedweeks, Blaney will have plenty of help in the draft, particularly from teammates Logano and Austin Cindric, who won the Daytona 500 in 2022.
Will Blaney’s Luck Finally Change?
The No. 12 team has had its fair share of bad luck at Daytona—crashes, last-lap heartbreaks, and narrow defeats. But with momentum from his 2024 championship and a fast car under him, Blaney is entering this Daytona 500 as one of the top contenders.
As the first car to roll onto the grid, could it also be the first car to cross the finish line in victory? If so, Blaney will finally get to join his father, Dave Blaney, as a Daytona winner—only this time, in the race that truly matters.
