NASCAR at Daytona: Starting lineup for 2025 Daytona 500 and paint schemes for all 41 cars

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is finally here, and as always, it kicks off Sunday with the 2025 Daytona 500 — the most coveted checkered flag on the 36-race schedule.

The Daytona 500 is the biggest and most important race of the season, meaning teams will do everything they can to give the car a little extra speed and the slightest advantage over everyone else. The Great American Race also usually has some pretty spectacular paint schemes, and we’ve got a close-up look at them before they hit the 2.5-mile track at Daytona International Speedway.

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While there are typically 40 cars and drivers in the Daytona 500, this year, there are 41, thanks to NASCAR’s Open Exemption Provisional, which allows what the governing body deems as world-class drivers to enter the Daytona 500 if they don’t qualify on speed.

Because of this (somewhat controversial) NASCAR rule change, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Hélio Castroneves will be the 41st car in the Daytona 500, making his Cup Series debut at 49 years old. The Open Exemption Provisional also means that if Castroneves wins the Daytona 500, he’ll get the credit but no prize money or points.

So after multiple qualifying rounds this week to determine the starting lineup for the 2025 Daytona 500, here’s a look at all 41 cars’ paint schemes and where they’ll start Sunday when the green flag flies in Daytona Beach.

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