The 55th running of the Daytona 500 takes place on Sunday at Daytona International Speedway. A field of 43 cars will look to claim the victory in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season opener.
The race is 200 laps, 500 miles around Daytona’s 2.5 mile track. Danica Patrick made history when she qualified for the pole, becoming the first woman to ever win a pole in NASCAR’s top series.
The race will be broadcast live on FOX , they will start airing their coverage at 1:00 p.m EST. At 1:18 p.m. EST the command to fire engines will be issued by actor James Franco. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis serves as the honorary starter. The green flag start time is scheduled for 1:30 p.m EST.
RELATED: Fans injured in wreck at conclusion of Nationwide Series race
NASCAR’s new track drying system – Air Titan – could make its debut today due to scattered showers in the area. The temperature should hover in the low 70s today.
LAST YEAR: Few will forget the Daytona 500 being run on Monday and a jet dryer explosion before Matt Kenseth crossed the line for his second win in the Daytona 500.
Starting Lineup for the 55th running of the Daytona 500
- Danica Patrick
- Jeff Gordon
- Kevin Harvick
- Kyle Busch
- Greg Biffle
- Kasey Kahne
- Juan Pablo Montoya
- Austin Dillon
- Jimmie Johnson
- Clint Bowyer
- Kurt Busch
- Matt Kenseth
- Tony Stewart
- Mark Martin
- Brad Keselowski
- Paul Menard
- Casey Mears
- Jeff Burton
- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Jamie McMurray
- Joey Logano
- David Ragan
- Bobby Labonte
- Marcos Ambrose
- David Gilliland
- Aric Almirola
- Joe Nemechek
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Michael Waltrip
- Dave Blaney
- Scott Speed
- Josh Wise
- Trevor Bayne
- Ryan Newman
- Denny Hamlin
- Carl Edwards
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Michael McDowell
- Terry Labonte
- Regan Smith
- JJ Yeley
- David Reutimann
- Travis Kvapil