NASCAR at Daytona 2015: Race Schedule, Live-Stream Info and Drivers to Watch – Bleacher Report

After a brief reprieve at a road course out West, NASCAR hits the familiar turns of Daytona International Speedway Sunday for the Coke Zero 400.

It’s one of the most important events on the calendar as the Sprint Cup Series returns to NBC and the Chase looms in the distance. As expected, things are a little more cluttered than usual on the leaderboard after the winding bends of Sonoma.

Things may return to more favorable conditions this holiday weekend, but it won’t make it any easier on the drivers. The competition remains fierce, as top contenders such as Kyle Busch are rounding into form and Florida weather might not prove any more hospitable than Michigan when it comes right down to it.

Which, of course, looks like a recipe for one of the best races of the year.

 

Viewing Details

Where: Daytona International Speedway

When: Sunday, July 5, at 7:45 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Live Stream: NBC Live Extra

 

NASCAR at Daytona Starting Grid

Sprint Cup Standings  

Drivers to Watch

Kyle Busch

One can’t mention Daytona International Speedway and gloss over Busch’s return.

Last time the globe saw Busch at DIS, he suffered a brutal accident, which forced NASCAR to hand down an exemption for Chase qualification because of the amount of time he missed with a broken leg. 

There were two bars Busch needed to meet to capitalize on the opportunity. First, he had to get a win. He did that last week in Sonoma, seizing a late lead on the curvy track and holding off his brother and others.

Second, he has to finish among the top 30 in points. Last week’s win pushed him to 37th.

It’s going to be Sunday’s top storyline—how will Busch perform in his return to DIS? Given his recent form, the odds look solid, although anything can happen for him at a track he must overcome.

 

Danica Patrick

Danica Patrick always stands a chance when it comes to some restrictor-plate racing.

She has an extensive history at DIS, something she wasn’t shy about when she spoke with Tony Fabrizio of ESPN.com about this weekend’s event:

I always like going there. It’s where my first stock car start was in 2010 (a sixth in an ARCA Racing Series race), and I actually have a lot of experience there. At the end of the day, you just need to be in the right place at the right time. A lot of it is out of your control. But I think we’ll be good and hopefully have a car that can compete and win.

So far, things look great for Patrick, who led all drivers at the event’s final practice Friday.

Patrick finished just 24th last week on the tricky turns of Sonoma and struggled earlier this year in Daytona, finishing 21st. Nevertheless, she’s still not one to discount given the style of racing at DIS, which she seems to prefer.

If practices are any sign, Patrick, more than many others, will take advantage of the return to normal racing.

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Sometimes, a driver just seems due, which happens to be the case with Dale Earnhardt Jr. this weekend at DIS.

He finished second in Michigan, which was a strong late performance given the wild finish in the rain. Last week he took seventh place at Sonoma.

He already sounds thrilled with his chances Sunday:

We’re done with all practices. We have a very fast car. A winning car. Great work by all @TeamHendrick for such an impressive ride.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 3, 2015

As he should, since he followed up the tweet by winning the pole.

Earnhardt is on a roll. He’s also the owner of a third-place finish earlier this year at the same track after leading 32 laps. When it comes to restrictor-plate tracks, Earnhardt might be one of the best ever, so if he sounds confident beforehand, it’s sure to be bad news for the competition.

With his last win coming at Talladega, which features a similar style of racing, look for Earnhardt to get back to elite form this weekend.

 

Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.