Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Debuts with Daytona 500 Sunday

Posted on February 23, 2017
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debuts with Daytona 500 Sunday.

The changes in NASCAR for the 2017 season will debut in the Daytona 500 this Sunday, February 26th.

The changes include no Tony, no Carl, races divided in three segments for bonus points, the new name of the top series that is now called the Monster Energy Cup series and more. What remains the same is that the season is kicked off by the biggest race of the season, the Daytona 500 that is also called “The Great American Race.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
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The Daytona 500 will pit 40 of the top drivers in NASCAR against each other for 500 miles (200 laps) around the Daytona International Speedway. The 2.5-mile track has turns of 31 degrees and 18 degrees which allows for speeds of around 200 mph. Drafting allows the cars to race side-by-side for exciting battles that can result in both thrilling passes and chilling crashes.

Last year Chase Elliot started on the pole, but he crashed early in the race ending his hopes of winning the race. This year he has again earned the pole position for the start of the Daytona 500 and hopes to change the ending of his story for this year’s Great American Race.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Here is a look at the top ten active driver ratings at Daytona:

  • Kyle Busch – 95.9
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. – 94.1
  • Denny Hamlin – 91.0
  • Kurt Busch – 89.9
  • Matt Kenseth – 88.5
  • Jimmie Johnson – 88.2
  • Joey Logano – 87.4
  • Kasey Kahne – 82.1
  • Kevin Harvick – 81.8
  • Jamie McMurray – 80.2
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Denny Hamlin is the defending winner of the 2016 Daytona 500. Not only was it Denny’s first Daytona 500 win it was also one of the closest margins of victory in the race with Denny beating Martin Truex Jr. by literally just inches.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

We already know that Chase Elliot will start from the pole position with Dale Earnhardt Jr. occupying the second spot on the front row for the start of the Daytona 500. The rest of the starting order will be determined in the two Can-Am Duel races later tonight (2/23) starting at 6:00 PM central time (7:00 PM eastern time).

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series DAYTONA 500
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/Chris Trotman/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Will this weekend’s race be another thrilling finish of inches? We will find out when the green flag waives to start The Great American Race.

The Daytona 500 will get started at 1:00 PM central time (2:00 PM eastern time) from the Dayton International Speedway Sunday, February 26th.

By: Buck Stevens

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