As the start of the 2025 NASCAR season approaches, one race stands out above all others – the Daytona 500. This iconic race, which has been running since 1959, is not only the first and most prestigious event on the NASCAR calendar, but it also holds a special place in the hearts of fans and drivers alike. Winning the Daytona 500 is a dream for any NASCAR driver, and for these five drivers, a victory in 2025 could mean more than just a trophy – it could bolster their legacies and solidify their place in the history books.
1. Chase Elliott
At just 29 years old, Chase Elliott has already achieved a lot in his NASCAR career. He is the 2020 Cup Series champion and has won some of the sport’s most prestigious races, including the Coca-Cola 600 and the Brickyard 400. However, one thing missing from his impressive resume is a Daytona 500 victory. Elliott has come close in the past, finishing second in 2017 and 2020, but a win in 2025 could elevate his legacy to the next level. Not only would he become the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500 twice, but he would also join an elite group of drivers who have won the race multiple times, further solidifying his status as one of the greats in the sport.
2. Bubba Wallace
Another driver whose legacy could greatly benefit from a Daytona 500 win in 2025 is Bubba Wallace. As the only African American driver currently competing full-time in the Cup Series, Wallace has already made history. However, he has yet to find Victory Lane in a Cup Series race. A win in the biggest race of the year would not only be monumental for Wallace, but it would also bring a much-needed diversity to the sport and potentially inspire a new generation of fans and drivers. With the support of a new team, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, Wallace is poised to make a statement in 2025 and potentially etch his name in the record books as the first African American driver to win the Daytona 500.
3. Ryan Blaney
Like Elliott, Ryan Blaney is another young driver with a bright future in NASCAR. He has already won multiple races, including the 2017 Pocono 400, but has yet to capture the checkered flag at the Daytona 500. Blaney has proven that he has what it takes to win on the big stage, and a win in the 2025 Daytona 500 would not only be a career-defining moment for him, but it would also solidify his place among the sport’s top drivers. Additionally, Blaney comes from a racing family – his father and grandfather were both successful racers – making a Daytona 500 win even more special and meaningful for him and his family.
4. Kyle Larson
After a tumultuous 2020 season, Kyle Larson returned to NASCAR in 2021 with a new team and a renewed mindset. Despite the challenges he faced, Larson has come back even stronger and is already showing why he is one of the most talented drivers in the sport. While he has yet to check off a win at the Daytona 500, Larson is no stranger to victory lane at Daytona International Speedway. He has won the Coke Zero 400 twice and has shown that he can navigate the superspeedway tracks with ease. With his incredible driving skills and determination, a Daytona 500 win in 2025 could be the missing piece in Larson’s already impressive career.
5. Daniel Suárez
Finally, a Daytona 500 win in 2025 could elevate the career of Daniel Suárez, who has been searching for a breakthrough moment in his Cup Series career. After becoming the first Latin American driver to win a NASCAR national series race in 2016, Suárez went on to win the Xfinity Series championship in 2016 and the Cup Series rookie of the year award in 2017. However, he has yet to win a Cup Series race, let alone the Daytona 500. A victory in this historic race would not only be a remarkable achievement for Suárez, but it would also continue to pave the way for more diversity and representation in NASCAR.
In conclusion, the Daytona 500 is more than just a race – it is a chance for drivers to etch their names in the
