Normally, there are only 40 cars in the Daytona 500, but this year, the race will have 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. Castroneves will get credit if he wins the race but no prize money or points.

Kyle Larson will try to snap a 0-for-11 skid in the Daytona 500, and The Associated Press will be embedded with his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team.

The Daytona 500 is one of the biggest and most illustrious NASCAR races of the year, and the festivities at Daytona International Speedway will be happening all week long in the lead-up to Sunday's big race.