NASCAR Rant Report - Monday, February 17th

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Major headlines out of the weekend:

William Byron Wins the 67th Daytona 500
Ryan Preece Flips Again at Daytona
President Donald Trump Paces Daytona 500 Field
Xfinity, Trucks, and ARCA all Race at Daytona
Pitbull Severs Ties with Trackhouse Racing

William Byron Wins the 67th Daytona 500:

William Byron clinched his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory in a dramatic and chaotic race with multiple wrecks and a lengthy rain delay. The race, which started under the threat of inclement weather, saw Byron navigate through a series of late-race crashes to emerge victorious. He became the fifth driver in history to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, joining legends like Richard Petty and Denny Hamlin.

The closing laps of the race were marked by several wrecks that reshaped the field and sent the race into overtime. One key incident involved Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., where Logano attempted to wedge his car between Stenhouse and Ryan Blaney, but Stenhouse threw a block, causing a crash that collected several other cars, including Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott.

The final lap saw a major wreck involving Denny Hamlin, Cole Custer, and most of the leaders. Hamlin was leading when Custer made a move to the outside but collided with Hamlin's car after an off-centered push from behind, triggering a multi-car wreck. This allowed William Byron to slip through the chaos and claim victory, followed by Tyler Reddick in second place and Jimmie Johnson in third. Byron was ninth at the time of the wreck.

The race also featured strong performances from other drivers, including Chase Briscoe and John Hunter Nemechek, who finished fourth and fifth respectively. Justin Allgaier, driving for JR Motorsports in their Cup debut, secured a top ten finish, marking a successful entry into the series for the team. Jimmie Johnson’s third place finish was his best in the race since 2013, and his best finish in the Cup Series since he retired from full time racing in 2020.

Overall, the 67th Daytona 500 was a thrilling and unpredictable race, showcasing the skill and resilience of the drivers and teams involved. Byron's victory solidifies his status as one of the top competitors in the NASCAR Cup Series.

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Ryan Preece Flips Again at Daytona:

In one of the other late race incidents, Ryan Preece experienced another terrifying airborne crash during the closing laps of the Daytona 500. The incident occurred with five laps to go when Christopher Bell was turned into the outside wall by a bump draft from Cole Custer. Preece, unable to avoid Bell's car, collided with it, causing his own car to launch into the air, flip over, and land on its roof before sliding up the banking and flipping back onto its wheels.

This was Preece's second airborne crash at Daytona in less than two years. Following the crash, Preece expressed his frustration and concern, stating, "I don’t know if it’s the diffuser or what that makes these cars like a sheet of plywood when you walk out on a windy day. When the car took off like that, it got real quiet, and all I thought about was my daughter. I’m lucky to walk away, but we’re getting really close to somebody not being able to."

Despite the violent crash, Preece was able to walk away and was checked and released from the infield care center. He emphasized the need for NASCAR to address the issue of cars lifting off the ground, highlighting the danger posed by the current Cup cars on superspeedways.

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President Donald Trump Paces Daytona 500 Field:

President Donald Trump attended the 2025 Daytona 500, marking his second appearance at the event as president. He arrived with several guests, including his son Eric and grandson Luke, and was highlighted by an Air Force One flyover and a lap around the track in the presidential limousine, "The Beast." Trump praised the bravery of the drivers and expressed his admiration for NASCAR, calling the event a "legendary display of roaring engines, soaring spirits, and American skill."

His presence was well-received by many fans and drivers, including Chase Elliott, who noted that having a sitting president attend the race brought a different perspective and increased visibility. Trump's visit to the Daytona 500 followed his recent appearance at the Super Bowl, emphasizing his strategy to align with American sports culture and maintain visibility among sports fans.

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Xfinity, Trucks, and ARCA all Race at Daytona:

The recent races at Daytona International Speedway were filled with excitement and drama across the NASCAR Xfinity, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards Series.

In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Corey Heim was declared the winner of the Fresh From Florida 250 after Parker Kligerman, who initially crossed the finish line first, was disqualified for failing post-race inspection due to his truck being too low in the rear. This disqualification promoted Heim to first place and rookie Giovanni Ruggiero to second. The race was marked by intense competition, with multiple lead changes and a dramatic final lap that saw several trucks involved in wrecks.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series saw Jesse Love take the victory in the United Rentals 300. Love capitalized on the misfortune of his teammate Austin Hill, who dominated the early stages of the race but was forced to retire due to a mechanical issue. Love led the final laps and held off challenges from Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed, who finished second and third respectively. The race featured several multi-car wrecks, including a major crash on the final lap that brought out the caution and ended the race under yellow.

In the ARCA Menards Series, Brenden "Butterbean" Queen won the Ride the Denté 200, his first career ARCA victory. The race was chaotic, with numerous cautions and multi-car wrecks, including a major incident on lap 5 that involved 15 cars. Queen managed to avoid the carnage and took the lead in the final laps, holding off William Sawalich and Jason Kitzmiller to secure the win.

Overall, the races at Daytona were characterized by high drama, unexpected twists, and significant achievements for several drivers, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the season.

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Pitbull Severs Ties with Trackhouse Racing:

Pitbull, the Grammy Award-winning rapper and singer, has ended his partnership with Trackhouse Racing, effective immediately. The announcement came just days before the Daytona 500, where Pitbull performed a pre-race concert. Pitbull joined Trackhouse Racing as a co-owner in January 2021, helping to introduce NASCAR to a broader audience and contributing to the team's brand-building efforts.

Justin Marks praised Pitbull's contributions, noting that his involvement was a great investment and helped the team scale up and attract new partners. The departure marks a shift for Trackhouse Racing as it continues to evolve and grow. Both Pitbull and Trackhouse Racing expressed gratitude for the partnership and excitement for future endeavors.

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