NASCAR drivers discuss the career and legacy of Martin Truex Jr.
Martin Truex Jr. recentlty annoucned that he will be retiring at the conclusion of the NASCAR season, so we asked drivers about his legacy at the USA TODAY 301.
Michael McDowell won the pole during Friday’s qualifying session at Daytona International Speedway ahead of Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Cup Series race.
McDowell and Todd Gilliland locked out the front row for Front Row Motorsports for Saturday’s race. McDowell is a former Daytona 500 winner who excels on pack-racing tracks, including leading until a last-lap crash at Talladega earlier this season.
The Cup Series returns to Daytona in the later parts of a newsworthy summer that has included several penalties, including a win stripped of playoff eligibility, a lot of driver movement for 2025, the announcement of Martin Truex Jr.’s impending retirement and more.
The focus now is on the playoff picture, where many drivers will consider Saturday’s Coke Zero 400 as their last best chance to win a race and make the playoffs.
Here’s the full starting lineup for Saturday’s Coke Zero 400.
DAYTONA PICKS: NASCAR Daytona predictions 2024: Expert picks for Cup Series race
PENALTY: Denny Hamlin loses playoff points in NASCAR penalty for engine seal violation
Green Flag Time: Approx. 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 24
Track: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile oval) at Daytona Beach, Florida
Length: 160 laps, 400 miles
Stages: 35 laps, 60 laps, 65 laps
TV coverage: NBC
Radio: MRN (102.5 FM in Nashville)
Streaming: FUBO (free trial available); NBC Sports app (subscription required); Peacock (subscription required); NASCAR.com and SiriusXM on Channel 90 for audio (subscription required)
The Coke Zero 400 will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Streaming options for the race include Peacock, the NBC Sports app and FUBO, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Row 1
1. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
2. Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Row 2
3. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
4. Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Row 3
5. Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
6. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Row 4
7. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
8. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Row 5
9. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Row 6
11. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
12. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Row 7
13. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
14. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Row 8
15. Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
16. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Row 9
17. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
18. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Row 10
19. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
20. Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Row 11
21. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
22. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Row 12
23. Austin Hill, No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
24. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Row 13
25. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
26. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Row 14
27. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
28. Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Row 15
29. Parker Retzlaff, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
30. Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Row 16
31. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
32. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Row 17
33. Cody Ware, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
34. Corey Lajoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Row 18
35. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
36. Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Row 19
37. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
38. BJ McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet
Row 20
39. Joey Gase, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
40. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
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Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
