With the Super Bowl done with, it’s the Daytona 500’s turn to grab eyeballs across the nation as we officially enter race week starting with Wednesday’s pole qualifying session. There are more than a few storylines to keep an eye on before The Great American Race, starting with whether Bubba Wallace can stand out and make NASCAR fans take notice.
Bubba Wallace Gets Fans Excited for Daytona 500
Wallace, who signed a multi-year extension with 23XI Racing in September, will have a new crew chief this time around with Charles Denike set to take over after serving in the same role for Christian Eckes in trucks.
With the race less than a week away, Bubba Wallace decided it was time to send a message.
Let the week begin. pic.twitter.com/CCEcCbxi3g
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) February 12, 2025
“Let the week begin,” Wallace wrote on social media platform X, posing in front of his Lightning McQueen-esque No. 23 Toyota Camry.
Where Bubba Wallace Stands Among Daytona 500 Favorites
Wallace, who is once again driving for Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s racing team, is by no means one of the favorites to win the Daytona 500. That honor belongs to Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch, who is the FanDuel favorite at +1100 followed by Hamlin and Ryan Blaney (both +1200).
Here we go! Check out the full FOX: NASCAR schedule for Daytona.
📺🏁 #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/Kt1OIAq7qs
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 10, 2025
This, however, is not exactly a sport decided solely by favorites. Granted Wallace hasn’t won a regular-season Cup Series race, and yes, he hasn’t won any Cup Series race since 2022. But Wallace will be keenly aware that, unlike other years, the team cannot take its time to find its sweet spot and push on in mid-summer.
The stakes are higher this time around. Wallace will have a legitimate shot to prove himself, starting with Sunday’s race (if, hopefully, it isn’t postponed to Monday due to rain).
