NASCAR season opens with William Byron eyeing record Daytona 500 three-peat
Kyle Larson looks on prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Aug. 31, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. Credit: AP/Matt Kelley
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NASCAR CUP SERIES
America 250 Florida Duel 1 at DAYTONA
America 250 Florida Duel 2 at DAYTONA
DAYTONA 500
Site: Daytona Beach, Florida.
Track: Daytona International Speedway.
Race distance: 200 laps, 500 miles.
William Byron celebrates next to his car after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 16, 2025, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
Schedule: Wednesday, practice, 10 a.m., qualifying, 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Duel 1, 7 p.m. Duel 2, 8:45 p.m. Friday, practice, 5:35 p.m. Saturday, practice, 3 p.m. Sunday, race, 2:30 p.m. (FOX).
Last year: William Byron secured his second consecutive Daytona 500 win, surviving a chaotic final lap with multiple cars wrecking in overtime.
Last race: Kyle Larson earned his second NASCAR Cup Series championship while taking advantage of a late caution that allowed him to overtake Denny Hamlin in overtime. Larson’s victory marks the 15th Cup title for Hendrick Motorsports and coincides with the 30th anniversary of Jeff Gordon delivering Hendrick its first championship.
Next race: Feb. 22, Hampton, Georgia.
Drivers take the green flag to start the Bud Shootout race, Feb. 7, 1999, at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Credit: AP/CHRIS O'MEARA
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR O'REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES
United Rentals 300
Site: Daytona Beach, Florida.
Track: Daytona International Speedway.
Race distance: 120 laps, 300 miles.
Schedule: Friday, practice, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, qualifying, 10 a.m., race, 5 p.m. (CW).
Last year: Jesse Love earned the win while crossing the finish line just ahead of a multi-car wreck in the season opener.
Last race: In only his second year of racing, Jesse Love claimed his first Xfinity Series championship after passing Connor Zilisch in the final laps at Phoenix Raceway.
Next race: Feb. 21, Hampton, Georgia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES
Fresh From Florida 250
Site: Daytona Beach, Florida.
Track: Daytona International Speedway.
Race distance: 100 laps, 250 miles.
Schedule: Thursday, practice, 5 p.m. Friday, qualifying, 3 p.m., race, 7:30 p.m. (FS1).
Last year: Corey Heim earned a surprising season-opening victory after Parker Kligerman was disqualified for failing a post-race height inspection.
Last race: Corey Heim set a season record for wins with his 12th victory coming in the series finale at Phoenix. Heim had a dominant season in which he extended the record for laps led to more than 1,500.
Next race: Feb. 21, Hampton, Georgia.
Online: http://www.nascar.com
FORMULA 1
Last race: Lando Norris secured his first world championship at the final Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, edging out Max Verstappen by just two points after a season-long fight.
Next race: March 7, Melbourne, Australia.
Online: http://www.formula1.com
NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Last race: Alex Palou won his third consecutive series championship, securing the title in four of the last five seasons.
Next race: March 1, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Online: http://www.indycar.com
NHRA DRAG RACING
Next race: March 8, Gainesville, Fla.
Online: http://www.nhra.com
WORLD OF OUTLAWS
Federated Auto Parts Dirtcar Nationals
Next race: Feb. 19-21.
Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com
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