The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season begins this weekend with its traditional kickoff: the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
Forty drivers will duel it out for the most coveted prize in stock car racing.
Seven drivers in the field know the feeling of lifting the Harley J. Earl trophy in victory lane, while the other 33 are chasing that dream.
Who will win the greatest race of them all and add their name to the list of legends? Let’s meet the drivers who will be competing in this year’s Daytona 500
The Former Winners
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford: He won the biggest race of his life as a rookie last season. The defending Daytona 500 champion will try to protect his crown and become only the fourth driver in history to win consecutive Great American Races.
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet: Although he turned a lot of heads when he won the 2018 Daytona 500, Dillon has quietly become a superspeedway threat. The North Carolinian also won the most recent Cup points race held at Daytona, so he certainly knows his way to the 2.5-mile track’s victory lane.
Kevin Harvick, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford: The 2014 Cup champion announced last year that the 2023 season will be his last. Even though his Daytona crown came more than 15 years ago, the 2007 victor hopes to claim one more before he goes into the FOX broadcast booth full time in 2024.
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: The Virginia native is easily the most accomplished driver in the Daytona 500 in this year’s field. With three victories, Hamlin will be going for No. 4, which would tie him for second on the all-time list with Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough.
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford: The defending Cup champion is also a Daytona 500 winner, having claimed the 2015 edition. Riding high on momentum, Logano’s reputation of being a fierce superspeedway competitor will certainly benefit him in his quest.
Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford: As one of the longest shots to ever win the race, McDowell looks to make it two wins in three years. 2022 was a career year for the Arizona driver, and he will look to follow it up as one of the sneakiest threats in the field.
Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet: Arguably the biggest storyline heading into this year’s race is Johnson. After spending two seasons in the NTT IndyCar Series and racing part time in IMSA, the…
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