The Daytona 500

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Danica Patrick prepares for practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018. Patrick has one last chance at a win in NASCAR, on its biggest stage, at the Daytona 500. She will run only that event, then focus on the Indianapolis 500 before she retires as a race car driver. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Danica Patrick speeding toward NASCAR’s exit ramp

By JENNA FRYER - Associated Press

FILE - In this March 3, 2017, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. smiles in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Hendrick Motorsports says Dale Earnhardt Jr. will retire at the end of this season. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

The Latest: NASCAR CEO calls Earnhardt a proven leader

Associated Press

Crew members perform a pit stop on Kyle Busch's car during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/David Graham)

The Latest: Kurt Busch wins Daytona 500 for Stewart-Haas

Associated Press

Dale Earnhardt Jr. answers questions during an interview at NASCAR Daytona 500 media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to win a title then ride into retirement

By JENNA FRYER - Associated Press

Denny Hamlin celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Denny Hamlin wins first Daytona 500 in closest finish in race history

By Jenna Fryer - Associated Press

Chase Elliott laughs with crew members in Victory Lane after he qualified for the pole position in the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Chase Elliott, in No. 24 Chevrolet, takes Daytona 500 pole after qualifying

By Dan Gelston - Associated Press

Jeff Gordon prepares to go out on the track during a practice session for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jeff Gordon takes Daytona 500 pole in wildly unpopular qualifying format

By Jenna Fryer - Associated Press

Kevin Harvick celebrates in Victory Lane with his crew after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 2, 2014, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

5 things to know about the Phoenix NASCAR race

By JOHN MARSHALL - Associated Press

Tony Stewart (14) climbs into his car before qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Stewart still not 100 percent after Daytona

By JOHN MARSHALL - Associated Press

Dale Earnhardt Jr., front, leads the racers to the finish line as Kyle Busch (18) starts a collision coming out of Turn 4 during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

NASCAR’s task is duplicating Daytona 500 thriller

By JENNA FRYER - Associated Press

The field takes the green flag after more than a six hour rain delay to restart the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Earnhardt Jr. wins 2nd Daytona 500 a decade later

By JENNA FRYER - Associated Press

A crew member runs down pit road during a rain delay in the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Daytona 500 delays now common in NASCAR’s opener

By DAN GELSTON - Associated Press

Crew members work on Tony Stewart's car during the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Daytona 500 winless streak goes on for Stewart

By DAN GELSTON - Associated Press

Race fans take cover from the rain in the stands during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Daytona 500 delays now common in NASCAR’s opener

By DAN GELSTON - Associated Press

Actor Chris Evans answers a question during a news conference before the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

5 things to know about Daytona 500 entertainment

By MARK LONG - Associated Press

Martin Truex Jr waist by his car before practice for Sunday's NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)

Truex blows engine, winds up last in Daytona 500

By MARK LONG - Associated Press

Regan Smith, front left, races the field to the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/David Graham)

5 things to know about what’s going on at Daytona

By MARK LONG - Associated Press

Dale Earnhardt Jr, right, talks with Danica Patrick during qualifying for Saturday's NASCAR Nationwide series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/David Graham)

Patrick continues to shake off doubters at Daytona

By JENNA FRYER - Associated Press

Austin Dillon laughs as he prepares to climb into his car before the first of two NASCAR Sprint Cup series qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Dillon, Larson headline impressive rookie class

By DAN GELSTON - Associated Press

In these photos taken in February 2014, qualifying drivers and their cars in the starting field for Sunday's NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race are shown at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. They are, from top, Austin Dillon, Martin Truex Jr, Matt Kenseth, and Denny Hamlin. (AP Photo)

Drivers competing in the 2014 Daytona 500

By The Associated Press - Associated Press