THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. One and only
The Daytona 500 will represent Danica Patrick’s last start in the NASCAR Cup Series. After that, she will attempt to make the Indianapolis 500 field in May, then she is out. The 35-year-old driver said she got all the emotions out in November. “When I think next Sunday comes, I’m sure I’ll be a lot more retrospective or introspective and emotional about the finality of it and, you know, just have a little bit more perspective. But right now, I’m fine. I’m good.”
2. Pit stops
Pit stops are going to look much different than in recent seasons after NASCAR trimmed the over-the-wall-crew from six to five people. The fastest stop recorded during the Clash was 16.9 seconds. That would have been grounds for pit-crew termination in 2017. "Our pit crew also got to complete a few four-tire pit stops with the new pit stop rules,” driver Ryan Newman said. “They too learned a few things in race conditions.”
3. 40 cars
For the first time in a long time, no drivers will be sent home after the Can-Am Duel qualifying races on Thursday. Why? Because there are only 40 cars entered in the 40-car field. It will take a bit of drama out of the qualifiers, but Roger Penske said it was a good thing. “I just think it's a changing of the times,” said Penske, who owns the cars that finished first and second in the Clash. Penske went on to say it's a byproduct of the charter system and a good thing if it keeps major sponsors from missing the biggest race.