Although Castroneves is driving for an open team, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is locked into the field through a new rule that allows NASCAR to invite a “world-class driver” to each event. His Trackhouse Racing team was the only one to apply before the deadline, so he was the only driver NASCAR considered for the provisional spot.

The Daytona 500 has NASCAR’s most unique qualifying format. With nine drivers vying for four (or five) spots, here's how it will go down this week.

The Daytona 500 is next up on the sporting calendar. After the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl Sunday, NASCAR will take its turn putting on a mega event. The race is scheduled for 2:30 p.

Track: Daytona International Speedway. Race distance: 200 laps, 500 miles. Last year: After an 18th-position start, William Byron secured his first Daytona 500 win, narrowly avoiding a two-car collision on the last lap in a race that ended under caution.