The NASCAR Cup Series field is set for the upcoming race at Daytona International Speedway on August 23, 2025. While qualifying laps were scheduled, weather conditions forced the cancellation, leading officials to determine starting positions based on the established rule book. Ryan Blaney earned the pole position with a top metric score of 3.600 to start the race at this iconic venue.
Official Lineup for NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona
With qualifying canceled, the starting grid reflects the metric scoring system used by NASCAR, blending recent performance and points standings. Blaney leads the pack, followed closely by Alex Bowman in second place with a score of 4.100, and Kyle Larson securing the third position at 5.400. Other notable drivers in the top ten include Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, rounding out a competitive front stretch on the grid.
The full top 10 starters are:
- Ryan Blaney (3.600)
- Alex Bowman (4.100)
- Kyle Larson (5.400)
- Joey Logano (6.400)
- Austin Cindric (7.400)
- Denny Hamlin (7.600)
- Austin Dillon (8.200)
- William Byron (8.700)
- Chase Briscoe (11.500)
- Brad Keselowski (12.000)
The remainder of the field, from 11th to 40th, consists of drivers including Josh Berry, Daniel Suarez, Zane Smith, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, and others, each assigned positions according to their metric scores as outlined in the NASCAR guidelines.
Points Standings Before the Daytona Race
Heading into the Daytona event, Denny Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen top the points list with four wins each, demonstrating strong form this season. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell follow with three victories apiece, while William Byron, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, and several others have also secured wins. These standings play a crucial role in playoff positioning as the series moves forward.
Among those poised near the playoff cutline are Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman, positioned 15th and 16th respectively with positive points margins. Just below the cutline, drivers such as Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece trail closely in points, setting the stage for intense competition in coming races.
Impact of Starting Positions on the Daytona Race Outlook
Ryan Blaney’s pole start provides a valuable advantage at Daytona, a track known for strategic drafting and high-speed racing. The metric-based lineup underlines the importance of consistent performance throughout the season, which now directly affects race-day opportunities. Fans and teams alike will watch closely as drivers aim to convert their starting positions into strong finishes that boost their playoff prospects.
The cancellation of qualifying adds an extra layer of unpredictability, making the race outcome dependent on both driver skill and team strategy. As the NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Daytona, the starting order sets a hopeful and competitive tone for a passionate and intense race day.