NASCAR announces sellout for 2025 Daytona 500 weeks ahead of race

With about a month until the NASCAR world turns its focus to the Daytona 500, the Great American Race has sold out of tickets. This is yet another sellout for the biggest race of the season and a sign that the sport is in a relatively good place.

NASCAR may not be getting the marketing exposure that IndyCar is on FOX right now. However, there were Daytona 500 commercials during NFL games over the weekend and that’s pretty major.

The Daytona 500 is a month away. There will be cars on track soon enough. The race itself is on February 16. Let’s hope that we don’t see the rain push the race to Monday like it did a year ago.

This is the #DAYTONA500.

Thank you for making a decade of sellouts so special. pic.twitter.com/8b96tabQvN

— Daytona International Speedway (@DAYTONA) January 13, 2025

Daytona International Speedway is going to be packed with fans, campers, and race teams soon enough. The size, scale, and speed of the track keeps bringing fans back year after year.

The 2025 season is a big deal for NASCAR. There have been a flurry of new rules added that should, for the most part, be good for competition. Later in the year, TNT and Amazon’s Prime Video will get a select number of races as new media partners.

There is a lot to be excited about this season. To start off the year with a sellout at Daytona is the perfect kickoff to 2025. The competition from qualifying to the Duels to the 500 itself should all be intense.

William Byron won the Daytona 500 a year ago. Will we see him or Hendrick repeat this season?

Daytona 500 will feature a number of open teams

One of the best parts about the 2025 Daytona 500 is all of the open cars that have announced or will announce their entry into the race. There are 36 chartered cars that will all make the race. Then there are only 4 open spots for a number of teams to fight over.

Should the full list of expected drivers enter the 500, we could see as many as five or six teams going home. The stakes are going to be high if we get 45 entries or more. Right now, we have Mike Wallace and MBM Motorsports, JJ Yeley and NY Racing, Anthony Alfredo and Beard Motorsports, BJ McLeod and Live Fast, and Helio Castroneves and Trackhouse.

Helio and Trackhouse do possess the new Open Exemption Provisional which will put them automatically in the race, even if they fail to make the 40 car field. If Castroneves fails to qualify on merit and speed, he will be added as a special 41st entry. He can race, but will not be entitled to prize money if he has to use that 41st spot.

Meanwhile, we have Rick Ware Racing, Legacy Motor Club with Jimmie Johnson, and AmeriVet possibly entering the race. Martin Truex Jr. will reportedly enter the race under Tricon Garage’s banner. Keep your eyes out for a third Richard Childress Racing entry as well.