NASCAR unveils 25-driver field for Sprint Unlimited

The 25 eligible Sprint Cup Series drivers include 2015 pole winners, former Sprint Unlimited race winners and former Daytona 500 pole winners who competed full time in 2015. All 16 drivers from the 2015 Chase are also eligible.

Any remaining open positions are filled based on 2015 driver points. 

As of Monday, the following drivers were qualified for the race: A.J. Allmendinger, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Jeff Gordon, Joey Logano (pole winners); Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart (past winners of the event); Greg Biffle, Austin Dillon, David Gilliland, Danica Patrick, Martin Truex Jr. (past Daytona 500 pole winners); Clint Bowyer, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, Ryan Newman (2015 Chase drivers); and Aric Almirola and Kyle Larson (2015 driver points).

“We’re ready to go,” said NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell. “The anticipation for this season, this event and this venue is unprecedented. We are excited how the new stadium will provide a state-of-the-art showcase for the brightest stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

The event marks the first NASCAR race following the completion of “Daytona Rising,” the $400 million frontstretch redevelopment project of the speedway.

The format of the race will remain much as last season. There will be two segments with a competition caution separating the segments at Lap 25. Once again, fans will be paired with each crew chief for a random drawing to determine starting position and pit road positions. The drawing will take place Feb. 12 at the Sprint FanZone.

If one of the eligible drivers elects not to enter the race, the open position will be filled based on 2015 driver points. The next five possible entrants are: Casey Mears, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Sam Hornish Jr., David Ragan and Trevor Bayne.