NASCAR: Late change to the Daytona 500 entry list
By Asher Fair
There has been a late change to the entry list for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
The entry list for the 63rd annual Daytona 500, which is scheduled to kick off the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 14, is not officially set.
As of now, the list contains 44 entries, including the 36 chartered entries and eight non-chartered entries that are slated to battle for the remaining four open spots in the 40-car field in single-car qualifying on Wednesday, February 10 and the Bluegreen Vacations Duels on Thursday, February 11.
It is still possible that this entry list could grow to 45, but nothing is set in stone yet.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
One of those eight confirmed non-chartered entries is the MBM Motorsports Ford alongside Timmy Hill, who is slated to pilot the #66 Ford for the team as he attempts to qualify for the 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked oval in Daytona Beach, Florida for the second straight year.
That second MBM Motorsports entry is the #13 Ford (previously listed as the #49 Ford), and Chad Finchum was originally slated to be Hill’s teammate after failing to qualify for the race last year.
But Finchum won’t actually be behind the wheel of that car.
Instead, Garrett Smithley, who is set to compete part-time for Rick Ware Racing this season, is set to pilot the #13 Ford and attempt to qualify for the “Great American Race” for the first time in his career.
Garrett Smithley will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500 in the No. 13 Motorsports Business Management (Carl Long) car. Trophy Tractor is sponsor. Long's two Cup drivers for the Daytona 500 will be 13-Smithley and 66-Timmy Hill (Chad Finchum no longer entering). @NASCARONFOX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 6, 2021
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
Both single-car qualifying and the Bluegreen Vacations Duels are set to be broadcast live from Daytona International Speedway on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on their respective dates. The Daytona 500 is set to be broadcast live on Fox beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.