Underdogs Who Could Shock the World at the 2025 Daytona 500!

Underdogs have had the opportunity to leave their mark on NASCAR history since the introduction of pack racing at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega. The draft’s great equalizer makes for Cinderella moments and surprise winners. Here are four underdogs to watch in the “Great American Race” ahead of the 67th Daytona 500 on February 16.

Erik Jones, LEGACY Motor Club, Toyota Camry No. 43

In his ninth Daytona 500 start, Jones will aim to add to the No. 43’s historic legacy at the World Center of Racing. Jones has already triumphed at Daytona, where he won the Cup Series for the first time in July 2018. Jones finished third in 2019 at the Daytona 500, which was his highest result, and he finished eighth in the 500 a year ago.

Jones has always been a cunning superspeedway racer, but in the Next-Gen era, this has been particularly evident. If the No. 43 is leading the field late in the game, don’t be shocked.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., HYAK Motorsports, No. 47 Chevrolet

We’ll label Stenhouse Jr., the 2023 Daytona 500 champion who also won at Daytona in July 2017, an underdog even though it might not be entirely accurate. All four of Stenhouse’s Cup Series victories have occurred at superspeedways, with the most recent one at Talladega in October 2024. Even though he occasionally acts too aggressively, he is always a good choice to lead laps and push late. Expect Stenhouse to be in the mix for a second Daytona 500 crown.

Spire Motorsports’ Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet

With Front Row Motorsports, McDowell won his first Cup Series race in the 2021 Daytona 500, but this time around, things appear to be a little different for the two-time Cup Series champion. In an attempt to win his second Daytona 500, McDowell will drive the No. 71 Chevy for Spire Motorsports, which won the 2019 Firecracker 400 with Justin Haley driving the flagship No. 77. McDowell hopes to make their debut with Spire a memorable one after he and crew chief Travis Peterson earned the 500 pole a year ago.

Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Front Row Motorsports In 2025, fourth-year driver Todd Gilliland will take over McDowell’s previous vehicle. Front Row, which increased to three Cup Series entrants this season, has the young driver as its unofficial leader. Gilliland had success qualifying at drafting tracks a year ago, including a second-place start at Daytona in August, much like McDowell, who took home five poles at superspeedway events in 2024. A season ago, the 24-year-old led 81 laps on drafting tracks, including 16 in the Daytona 500 and 21 at Daytona. Gilliland might be in contention late if he can avoid the carnage if Front Row brings a similar speed to the Florida high banks.