A handful of laps later, however, was a different story. Chandler Smith attempted a late block on Lap 15 over Justin Haley, sending his car for a spin into the outside wall. That collected others further back, including other open cars needing to race their way into Sunday’s main event.

Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves will race in the Daytona 500 as a special 41st driver under a new rule that allows for a “world-class driver” to receive a provisional to make the field.

The 67th Daytona 500 will have a 41st driver as four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves will use a controversial new NASCAR provisional to make his Cup debut in The Great American Race. Castroneves crashed on Lap 14 in the first Duel qualifying race.

At least two NASCAR teams will be at a serious disadvantage when the Daytona 500 begins this Sunday. According to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, NASCAR ejected crew chiefs Chris Lawson and Billy Plourde on Wednesday for tech violations.

The narrative worked itself out. For much of this week, including media day earlier in the afternoon, there was a