9 days to go

9: The No. 9 car holds significant historical value in the DAYTONA 500 as the first single-digit numeral to win the Great American Race. NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott won the 1985 DAYTONA 500 driving the Melling Racing No. 9 Ford – the first of a season-best 11 victories. Elliott’s son Chase, 28, now drives the famed No. 9 – for Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet team and on Feb. 18 the two-time DAYTONA 500 pole-winner will race again for his first Harley J. Earl trophy. His best DAYTONA 500 finish in the No. 9 is runner-up in 2021. If Chase Elliott were to win the DAYTONA 500 this season, the Elliotts would become the fourth father-son duo to win the DAYTONA 500 (all-time), joining the Pettys (Lee and Richard), the Allisons (Bobby and Davey) and the Earnhardts (Dale and Dale Jr.). – Holly Cain

Tune in to the 2024 DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.