NASCAR Cup - Daytona II

The Daytona II NASCAR Cup race returns to the iconic Daytona International Speedway, featuring the best stock car drivers competing on one of America's most famous tracks. This 400-mile battle takes place on the 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway, where competitors will navigate 160 laps of high-speed racing action.

Daytona International Speedway offers unique racing challenges with its 31-degree banking in the turns and 18-degree banking at the start/finish line. These steep banks allow drivers to maintain incredible speeds throughout the race. The track's distinctive tri-oval shape gives fans excellent viewing opportunities of the NASCAR Cup competition.

The Daytona II race uses tapered spacers to limit engine power, creating tight pack racing where drafting skills become essential. Drivers must form strategic alliances to move through the field on this superspeedway. The "Choose Rule" adds another layer of strategy as drivers select their restart lane.

Notable features of Daytona International Speedway include Lake Lloyd, the 29-acre body of water in the infield created during the track's construction. The soil removed to form this lake built the track's famous high banks. This connection between the lake and the banking shows the innovative engineering behind this NASCAR Cup venue.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series brings several changes to the Daytona II event. Teams like Haas Factory Team (formerly Stewart-Haas Racing) will compete against powerhouses such as Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. The Open Exemption Provisional rule may allow "world-class" drivers from other racing disciplines to join the field, potentially expanding the starting grid to 41 cars.

The summer race at Daytona International Speedway has produced many first-time winners and unexpected finishes. The draft-heavy racing style creates opportunities for underdogs to compete for victory. The final laps of the Daytona II NASCAR Cup race often feature three-wide racing and dramatic lead changes.

This NASCAR Cup event at Daytona International Speedway continues the legacy of racing that began on the beaches of Daytona Beach in the early 1900s before Bill France Sr. built the speedway in 1959. The race honors the rich history of stock car competition while showcasing modern NASCAR technology and driver talent.