DAYTONA BEACH, N.C. (WGHP) — We are just six days away from racing on NASCAR’s biggest stage at Daytona International Speedway!
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Daytona 500.
When is the race?
The race will take place on Sunday, Feb. 18. at 2:30 p.m. EST.
You can watch the race right here on FOX8!
Who are the favorites to win?
Currently, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin is favored to win the race by DraftKings Sportsbook with +900 odds.
Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch has the second-best odds, according to DraftKings, at +1100.
From there, Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski are tied for third at +1200. Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Chris Buescher and Chase Elliott sit in a four-way tie with the fourth-best odds.
Last year’s winner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., has +2800 odds to win the race.
Which former winners are competing this year?
The aforementioned Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be looking to repeat his 2023 victory, seeking to join Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Sterling Marlin and Denny Hamlin as the only drivers to ever win Daytona in consecutive years.
Hamlin, the betting favorite, is looking to win the Dayton 500 for the fourth time in his career following victories in 2016, 2019 and 2020.
2022’s winner, Austin Cindric, has +2800 odds to win the race.
Austin Dillon is looking to win at Daytona for the second time following his 2018 win. He currently has +3000 odds to win on DraftKings.
2021’s winner, Michael McDowell, has +3500 odds to finish in first place.
Joey Logano is looking to win the race for the first time since 2015.
Lastly, racing legend Jimmie Johnson will be looking to win his third Daytona 500 following 2006 and 2013 victories. Oddsmakers consider him a longshot though at +7000.
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Who will be the Grand Marshal this year?
This year’s Grand Marshal will be none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“Nothing compares to the intensity and anticipation of that first command of the NASCAR season as we kick off the 66th running of the Daytona 500, and who better to say those four famous words than Dwayne Johnson,” said Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway.
When will qualifying take place?
Qualifying for the Daytona 500 will take place at 8:15 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Daytona International Speedway as the drivers battle for the pole position in Sunday’s race.
You can watch the qualifying on Fox Sports 1.
What’s next?
After qualifying on Valentine’s Day, the racers competing on Sunday will take part in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel. That race will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. The race will be a pair of 150-mile qualifying races which will finalize the starting lineup for Sunday’s race.
You can watch the races on Fox Sports 1
More racing action
On Friday, Feb. 16, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will be coming to Daytona International Speedway as the racers will compete in the Fresh From Florida 250.
The race will begin at 7:30 p.m.
You can watch the race on Fox Sports 1.
What’s next?
On Saturday, Feb. 17, up-and-coming NASCAR drivers will compete in a double-header race event at ARCA Menards Series 200 and the United Rentals 300.
The ARCA Menards Series 200 will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by the United Rentals 300 at 5 p.m.
Both races will be on Fox Sports 1.
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How to keep up with the Daytona 500?
Be sure to stay plugged into myfox8.com as the FOX8 Sports Team will be down at Daytona International Speedway throughout all of race week keeping you posted with the latest information, behind-the-scenes video and so much more.
Be sure to check out our brand-new Watch: Daytona section as we will be posting exclusive footage of everything surrounding the Great American Race throughout the week there.