The Daytona 500 Field Is Set
An eventful Thursday evening saw the full field set for Sunday's Great American Race.
The Morning Warmup
Feb. 14, 2025
Happy Valentine’s Day, race fans!
You know what I love? Race cars - especially in big races. And we’ve got one of the most iconic events of the year this Sunday in the Daytona 500.
Speedweeks has already taken over the attention of United States racing viewers, with qualifying and the Duels setting the field for the Great American Race. We’ll get to that in just a second, but first let’s get a quick update on NASCAR’s lawsuit with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
Today’s Top Stories
1) NASCAR files appeal brief over injunction for 23XI, FRM (NASCAR Cup)
NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit took another twist Wednesday, as NASCAR filed its appeal brief to the injunction allowing 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to operate as chartered teams during the lawsuit.
“The district court’s injunction orders flout federal antitrust law; misapply the established rules governing the use of preliminary injunctions; ignore unrebutted, legally significant evidence; and have sweeping implications for NASCAR’s 2025 Cup Series season,” NASCAR wrote in its appeal. “These injunctions misuse the judicial power to force NASCAR to treat its litigation adversaries as its business partners and confidants, undermining the mutual trust that has fueled NASCAR’s growth and success.”
The 68-page appeal was filed in the hours leading up to Daytona 500 qualifying - a coincidence based on the court-ordered filing deadline. In it, NASCAR made a few key points.
From FOX Sports:
NASCAR’s main argument is that the teams won't likely succeed on the merits of the case in that they have other racing options if they don’t like the terms of the NASCAR charter agreement – that NASCAR Cup Series racing can't be the defined "market" when it comes to antitrust issues.
The sanctioning body also reiterates that 13 of the 15 organizations signed the charter agreement that runs from 2025-31 (with a possible extension), an agreement that includes teams now getting approximately 50 percent of the media revenues, an increase from about 37 percent from the previous deal – which shows that they do have an economically viable business model.
NASCAR also was critical of U.S. District court judge Kenneth Bell's ruling that the clause in the charter agreement that releases NASCAR from legal claims violates antitrust law.
The sanctioning body feels 23XI and Front Row are acting on “Charters they regretted rejecting” after raising concerns about the release provision that “neither team owner ever raised” as an issue “in two years of Charter negotiations.”
Teams will have until March 14 to issue their response. NASCAR is willing to take this to trial. In an interesting note, the Associated Press added that “it is believed NASCAR will eliminate the charter system outright rather than renegotiate new charters” if the suing teams prove successful.
(Source(s): Bob Pockrass / FOX Sports, Jenna Fryer / Associated Press)
2) DRC asks F1 to avoid Rwanda for potential African return (F1)
Formula 1’s push for an African grand prix took a twist on Wednesday, as the Democratic Republic of Conga issued a letter to the series expressing concerns over a potential race in Rwanda.
Rwanda and South Africa are both bidding for what they hope will be a date on the 2027 F1 calendar - the first for the series on African soil since 1993. But amid a conflict in the region, DRC minister of foreign affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged the series to “end negotiations and rule Rwanda out as a potential host.”
“Does F1 really want its brand smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda?" she asked. "Is this really the best country to represent Africa in global motorsport?"
More, from the BBC:
A state-of-the-art track is being built to F1 standards close to Kigali's new Bugesera airport, designed by former Benetton driver Alexander Wurz, with a vision which aims to blend motorsport with sustainability and natural beauty.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem told BBC Sport Africa in December that "Africa deserves a F1 event" and that "Rwanda is the best place".
Rwanda's bid to stage a grand prix is also part of a larger strategy to position the country as a global sports hub but the F1 project is under threat because of escalating tensions in the region.
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have attacked Congolese government forces in the South Kivu province, breaking a two-day lull in fighting.
Talks of a Rwanda race have diminished in recent weeks, with the BBC claiming from senior sources that a number of factors including the conflict are driving the shift. An F1 spokesperson largely avoided discussing Rwanda’s potential when asked about the conflict.
"We have received requests from multiple locations around the world that wish to host a future F1 race,” the spokesperson wrote. "We assess any potential request in detail and any future decisions would be based on the full information and what is in the best interests of our sport and our values."
(Source(s): Andrew Benson / BBC)
Race Recaps
NASCAR
Cup Series:
The field for the Daytona 500 has been set. The NASCAR Cup Series rolled through time trials and two Duel qualifying races over the course of Wednesday and Thursday.
Chase Briscoe and Austin Cindric stole the spotlight on Wednesday night, claiming the locked-in front row qualifying spots for Sunday’s race. Briscoe scored the pole, but his Joe Gibbs Racing team has some damage to contend with after the first Duel.
The Duels were unpredictable for different reasons, with the first marred by crashes and the latter ending in confusion as a caution in the final hundred yards changed the outcome of the race. Bubba Wallace prevailed in the opening Duel, while Cindric benefitted from the time of caution to take the second despite Erik Jones reaching the checkered flag first.
After voicing disappointment at missing out on the new Open Exemption Provisional, Cup champs Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson qualified their way into the Daytona 500 on Wednesday. Justin Allgaier survived Thursday’s opening Duel to bring JR Motorsports to its first Cup appearance, much to the delight of team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Corey LaJoie effectively controlled the fight for the final transfer spot in Duel 2, riding in the top two rows for the bulk of the race. Helio Castroneves crashed out of the opening Duel, but will race on Sunday due to the new provisional.
Missing out on the Great American Race are JJ Yeley, Chandler Smith, Anthony Alfredo and BJ McLeod.
(Source(s): Reid Spencer / NASCAR.com (x2))
Dirt
Logan Seavey faded in his first USAC start of the year, but race two he struck for a victory in Winter Dirt Games XVI. (Richie Murray / USAC Racing)
The following night, Ocala Speedway great Justin Grant added to his win total with another Winter Dirt Games victory. (Richie Murray / USAC Racing)
Short Tracks
World Series of Asphalt:
The ASA STARS opener was a messy affair. But in the end Wilson Motorsports newcomer Gavan Boschele emerged from it with a season-opening win. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
For the second time, a Conner Jones disqualification has handed a Pro Late Model victory to Hunter Wright. (Short Track Scene)
Carson Brown led all 35 laps for Anthony Campi Racing to score a Wednesday Super Late Model win, while Boschele and Derek Griffith gave themselves a tight battle for the weeklong championship. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
News and Notes
NASCAR
The Daytona 500 has arrived. Here’s a primer with everything to know about NASCAR’s iconic season opener. (Dustin Long / NBC Sports)
Richard Childress Racing has promoted Mike Verlander to team president ahead of the 2025 season. (Jake Altmayer / Frontstretch)
Qualifying was rained out for the ARCA Menards Series, leaving the field to be set by 2024 points. (ARCARacing.com)
Two crew chiefs are going to start the 2025 season at home. Chris Lawson (Todd Gilliland) and Billy Plourde (Cody Ware) have each been ejected for improper weights on their cars, leaving Kevyn Rebolledo (Gilliland) and Tommy Baldwin (Ware) to fill the vacant roles. (Dustin Long / NBC Sports)
Could we see another Supercars star come to NASCAR? Shane van Gisbergen is working to help get one to the Xfinity Series and would also like to see Kyle Larson give Supercars a go. (Simon Chapman / Speedcafe)
Drivers used Daytona 500 media day to air their grievances over the Open Exemption Provisional that’s landing Helio Castroneves into the Daytona 500 field. (Matt Weaver / Sportsnaut)
The Craftsman Truck Series is bringing a stacked rookie class to its 2025 season. Here’s a look at the group. (Anthony Damcott / Frontstretch)
Spire Motorsports has big ambitions heading into the 2025 season. Included in them? A sense that they need to win. (Kelly Crandall / RACER)
Not sure you need this if you subscribe to this niche newsletter. But just in case: FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass has made a guide to picking your favorite NASCAR driver.
IndyCar
This week’s leadership change was a huge one for the NTT IndyCar Series. What does it mean for the American open wheel tour’s future? (Jack Benyon / The Race)
RACER’s Marshall Pruett continued his team-by-team outlooks with a look at Andretti Global.
F1
A few stories on the launch:
F1.com’s Mark Hughes provided some analysis of the “aggressive” evolution that benefitted the car.
The Race’s Gary Anderson dove into the boldest part of the papaya squad’s 2025 car - front and rear suspension geometry.
This car presented a challenge for McLaren, who looked to balance innovation with the momentum from its 2024 championship run. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Last year’s runner up, Lando Norris, intends to get his “elbows out” and chase Max Verstappen for this year’s title. (Filip Cleeren & Alex Kalinauckas / Motorsport)
What can we expect from this season’s large rookie class? It varies from driver to driver. (Chris Medland / RACER)
Supercars
Teams have been working fast and early to fill their endurance driving roles the year, leaving the grid nearly complete before the 2025 season begins. (Stefan Bartholomaeus / Speedcafe)
Brodie Kostecki was all smiles after his first day in Dick Johnson Racing’s Ford Mustang. But he isn’t sure how the Ford will stack up as Supercars continued fighting for parity. (Stefan Bartholomaeus / Speedcafe)
Family-run Super2 Series program Matt Chahda Motorsport will miss next week’s opener after being unable to find someone to fill the second seat. (Stefan Bartholomaeus / Speedcafe)
Sports Cars
Mathieu Jaminet and Porsche Penske Motorsport led the way in IMSA-sanctioned testing at Sebring International Raceway. (Daily Sportscar)
Lamborghini’s run in the test came to an early end. The company pulled out after one day due to an undisclosed, “premature issue” that left it “caught off-guard.” (John Dagys / Sportscar365)
I present to you, Spike the LMP2 Dragon:
Reigning GT Masters champion Tom Kalender will become DTM’s youngest-ever driver when he lines up for the Oschersleben opener at age 16. He’ll join Mercedes drivers Lucas Auer, Jules Gounon and Maro Engel. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
Dirt
Two dates have been added to USAC’s 2025 Sprint Car slate, with October trips planned at Dodge City Raceway Park (Oct. 17) and Route 66 Motor Speedway. (Oct. 18). (Richie Murray / USAC Media)
Short Tracks
Christopher Bell made an unexpected return to asphalt short track racing in Tuesday’s Clyde Hart Memorial 200, but it’s safe to say he didn’t come back to the sort of racing he might have missed. (Matt Weaver / Short Track Scene)
Moto
There’s some schedule drama for MotoGP. The series has signed a new contract with Barcelona and revealed it will host no more than two races in Spain and Portugal from 2027, leaving other tracks concerned with five grands prix currently held among the countries. (German Garcia Casanova / Motorsport)
A few notes from the second preseason test at Thailand’s Buriram:
Six-time champion Marc Marquez set the quickest time on the final day, leading a 1-2 result for Ducati. Let the championship chatter commence. (Rachit Thukral / Motorsport)
The Race’s Valentin Khorounzhiy chimed in with nine takeaways as the test drew to a close, from Alex Marquez’s potential to a role swap between Honda and Yamaha.
Concerns over its 2025 engines led Ducati to opt in to its 2024 engine for all six of its bikes. (Oriol Puigdemont / Motorsport)
Honda used the test to debut a new double-element tail section on its bikes, which the company considers a major upgrade. (Franco Nugnes & Oriol Puigdemont / Motorsport)
Rally
For the first time in nearly a decade, Tanner Foust is going European rallycross racing. He’ll contest March’s RallyX Euro League event in Portugal. (Dominik Wilde / RACER)
Electric Racing
Kusk Maini led the way in Formula E’s rookie free practice session ahead of the upcoming Jeddah E-Prix. (Dominik Wilde / RACER)
Saudi Arabia is hosting Formula E for the seventh time overall, but first race on its Jeddah Corniche F1 track. Why the shift away from Riyadh? Rapid development. (Sam Smith / The Race)
Drag Racing
Shawn Van Horn and his Titan Speed II Top Fuel team unveiled a new ride at the Famoso Dragstrip’s pre-Super Bowl Test and Tune event. (Rick Bain / Drag Illustrated)
Other
Dayton Coulthard, son of 13-time F1 winner David Coulthard, is going racing in GB4 this year with Douglas Motorsport. (Stephen Lickorish / Motorsport)
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On Track This Weekend
The action in Daytona Beach will be the obvious focal point for the weekend. But there are other races to enjoy - from Supercross to Formula E.
All Times ET
Friday, Feb. 14
NASCAR
At Daytona International Speedway:
Truck Series Qualifying: 3:00 p.m., FS1
Xfinity Series Practice: 4:35 p.m., The CW
Cup Series Practice: 5:35 p.m., FS1/MRN
Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250: 7:30 p.m., FS1/MRN
Dirt
World of Outlaws Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series (Volusia Speedway Park): 5:15 p.m., DirtVision
USAC National Sprints (Ocala Speedway): 6:00 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
World Series of Asphalt (New Smyrna Speedway): 6:00 p.m., FloRacing
Electric Racing
Formula E Jeddah E-Prix Race 1: 12:05 p.m., The Roku Channel
-
Saturday, Feb. 15
NASCAR
At Daytona International Speedway:
Xfinity Series Qualifying: 10:00 a.m., The CW
ARCA Menards Series Daytona ARCA 200: Noon, FOX/MRN
Cup Series Practice: 3:05 p.m., FS2/MRN
Xfinity Series United Rentals 300: 5:00 p.m., The CW/MRN
Dirt
World of Outlaws Late Models & Super DIRTcar Series (Volusia Speedway Park): 5:15 p.m., DirtVision
USAC National Sprints (Ocala Speedway): 6:00 p.m., FloRacing
Short Tracks
World Series of Asphalt (New Smyrna Speedway): 6:00 p.m., FloRacing
Moto
Monster Energy Supercross (Detroit): 2:00 p.m., Peacock
Electric Racing
Formula E Jeddah E-Prix Race 1: 12:05 p.m., The Roku Channel
-
Sunday, Feb. 16
NASCAR
At Daytona International Speedway:
Cup Series Daytona 500: 2:30 p.m., FOX/MRN
Number of the Day: 47
Bubba Wallace knows his way around Daytona. He’d led 47 laps and scored five top-fives in 15 starts at the World Center of Racing before Thursday. Now he can add a Duel win (and a fun moment) to his resume.
Resources
Series Websites
Schedules:
Media Outlets
Associated Press (NASCAR, F1)
The Athletic (F1, NASCAR)
Catchfence (NASCAR)
DIRTRACKR (Dirt Racing)
Dirt on Dirt (Dirt Late Models)
Dirt Track Digest (Dirt Racing)
DirtVision (Dirt Racing)
Drag Illustrated (Drag Racing)
Dragzine (Drag Racing)
FloRacing (Dirt, Short Tracks)
FOX Sports (Primarily NASCAR, IndyCar likely in 2025)
Frontstretch (NASCAR, Open Wheel, Sports Cars, Short Tracks)
Kickin’ the Tires (NASCAR)
Motorsport (General, wide-ranging racing coverage).
NBC Sports Motorsports (Dirt, MotoGP, SuperMotocross)
Ohio Dirt (Dirt Racing)
Outside Groove (Dirt Racing)
RACER (Open Wheel, Sports Cars, NASCAR, Drag Racing,Off-Road/Rally)
The Race (Open Wheel, MotoGP)
Short Track Scene (Short Tracks)
Speedcafe (Australian Motorsports)
Sportsnaut (NASCAR)
Sprint Car Unlimited (Dirt Sprint Cars)
TobyChristie.com (NASCAR)
Traxion (Sim Racing)
V8 Sleuth (Supercars)