Rookie Austin Cindric is the defending champion at Daytona while Alex Bowman earned his third pole at the race. It will be the sixth consecutive time Bowman has started in the front row – the most at the track in NASCAR history. Bowman is starting alongside 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, who was on the pole for last year’s race.
Austin Cindric celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series 64th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 20, 2022, in Florida. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Here’s what you need to know about "The Great American Race."
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The 64th running of the Daytona 500 begins at 2:30 p.m. ET. The race can be seen on FOX and heard on MRN.
Pole Award winner Alex Bowman and Front Row winner Kyle Larson after the Busch Light Pole at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15, 2023, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Alex Bowman will be on the pole. It’s the third time he’s sat on the Daytona 500 pole. His Hendricks Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson will start alongside him. Joey Logano and Alec Almirola won their duel races and will start in row two.
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Jimmie Johnson was the quickest in the first practice with a 46.338 time and Brad Keselowski was the quickest in the final practice with a 47.071 time.
Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Cup Series Bluegreen Vacations Duel #1 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16, 2023, in Florida. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Joey Logano won the title last season and will enter the year as the defending champion.
Richard Petty has the most wins at the track with seven. Denny Hamlin has the most wins among active drivers with three. Dale Jarrett is the last driver to win from the pole, which came in 2000.