PREVIEW:

Get revved up with our four-page preview section, where you can take a closer look at today’s race, check out the lineup, past winners and more history. Read about the state of NASCAR and the 40th anniversary of the famous Daytona fight.

Fan favorites Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon and Danica Patrick all have retired, but that simply adds more intrigue to this year’s Daytona 500. NASCAR’s Super Bowl could serve as a coming-out party for the sport’s next star. Las Vegas oddsmakers favor those starting near the front — William Byron, Alex Bowman, Kevin Harvick and defending season champ Joey Logano. But don’t count out Jimmie Johnson, who is fired up after going winless in Cup races in ’18.

JARED C. TILTON/GETTY IMAGES Defending NASCAR series champion Joey Logano crosses the finish line to win the second of two duel races held Thursday ahead of this afternoon’s Daytona 500. Logano starts 4th.

JOHN RAOUX/AP Daytona 500 pole-sitter William Byron takes in the scene from his garage Saturday during practice. Alex Bowman will start on the outside of the front row for today’s race. Defending champion Austin Dillon starts 20th.