Start your engines: Here are the drivers competing in the 2020 Daytona 500

The 40 drivers competing in the 2020 Daytona 500, in order of starting position:

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No. 47 Chevrolet, JTG-Daugherty Racing

DRIVER: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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BORN: Oct. 2, 1987

HOMETOWN: Olive Branch, Mississippi

CREW CHIEF: Brian Pattie

SPONSOR: Kroger

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TWITTER: @(at)StenhouseJr

NOTEWORTHY: Was shocked in October when Roush Fenway Racing said he wouldn’t be retained. Landed ride at JTG and promptly won Daytona 500 pole.

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No. 88 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

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DRIVER: Alex Bowman

BORN: April 25, 1993

HOMETOWN: Tucson, Arizona

CREW CHIEF: Greg Ives

SPONSOR: Valvoline

TWITTER: @AlexBowman88

NOTEWORTHY: Starts on front row for third straight year. Won pole in 2018 and has started second last two years. In contract year with Hendrick Motorsports.

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No. 22 Ford, Team Penske

DRIVER: Joey Logano

BORN: May 24, 1990

HOMETOWN: Middletown, Connecticut

CREW CHIEF: Paul Wolfe

SPONSOR: Shell Pennzoil

TWITTER: @joeylogano

NOTEWORTHY: Just missed out on making championship finale a year ago, then was part of Team Penske offseason crew swap that brought him Paul Wolfe, who’s considered one of best.

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No. 24 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

DRIVER: William Byron

BORN: Nov. 29, 1996

HOMETOWN: Charlotte, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Chad Knaus

SPONSOR: AXALTA “Color of the Year”

TWITTER: @williambyron

NOTEWORTHY: 2018 rookie of year started from pole last season and now starts second year with seven-time championship-winning crew chief Chad Knaus.

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No. 10 Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing

DRIVER: Aric Almirola

BORN: March 14, 1984

HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida

CREW CHIEF: Mike Bugarewicz

SPONSOR: Smithfield Foods

TWITTER: @aric_almirola

NOTEWORTHY: Went winless last season and was eliminated in first round of playoffs. SHR gave him new crew chief during offseason.

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No. 48 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

DRIVER: Jimmie Johnson

BORN: Sept. 17, 1975

HOMETOWN: El Cajon, California

CREW CHIEF: Cliff Daniels

SPONSOR: Ally

TWITTER: @JimmieJohnson

NOTEWORTHY: Seven-time NASCAR champion says this is final year of full-time racing, but has not ruled out return to Daytona 500 in future. Eighth title would push him past the late Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty for most in NASCAR history.

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No. 6 Ford, Roush Fenway Racing

DRIVER: Ryan Newman

BORN: Dec. 8, 1977

HOMETOWN: South Bend, Indiana

CREW CHIEF: Scott Graves

SPONSOR: Koch Industries

TWITTER: @RyanJNewman

NOTEWORTHY: 2008 Daytona 500 winner made playoffs last season in first year with Roush and now anchors two-car team.

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No. 42 Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing

DRIVER: Kyle Larson

BORN: July 31, 1992

HOMETOWN: Elk Grove, California

CREW CHIEF: Chad Johnston

SPONSOR: Credit One Bank

TWITTER: @KyleLarsonRacin

NOTEWORTHY: Ran 20 sprint car races during offseason and won 10 times, including Chili Bowl that eluded him for entire career. Is considered top free agent in NASCAR this year.

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No. 2 Ford, Team Penske

DRIVER: Brad Keselowski

BORN: Feb. 12, 1984

HOMETOWN: Rochester Hills, Michigan

CREW CHIEF: Jeremy Bullins

SPONSOR: Discount Tire

TWITTER: @keselowski

NOTEWORTHY: 2012 series champion still looking for first Daytona 500 victory. Has at least three victories in each of last four years at Team Penske, but split with longtime crew chief Paul Wolfe in organization’s offseason shakeup.

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No. 4 Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing

DRIVER: Kevin Harvick

BORN: Dec. 8, 1975

HOMETOWN: Bakersfield, California

CREW CHIEF: Rodney Childers

SPONSOR: Busch Beer Car2Can

TWITTER: @KevinHarvick

NOTEWORTHY: 2007 Daytona 500 winner and 2014 Cup champion just announced a contract extension with SHR through 2023.

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No. 43 Chevrolet, Richard Petty Motorsports

DRIVER: Bubba Wallace

BORN: Oct. 8, 1993

HOMETOWN: Mobile, Alabama

CREW CHIEF: Jerry Baxter

SPONSOR: United States Air Force

TWITTER: (at)BubbaWallace

NOTEWORTHY: Finished second in 2018 Daytona 500 and is still trying to duplicate that success in underfunded ride with few resources.

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No. 41 Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing

DRIVER: Cole Custer

BORN: Jan. 23, 1998

HOMETOWN: Ladera Ranch, California

CREW CHIEF: Mike Shiplett

SPONSOR: Haas Automation

TWITTER: (at)Daniel_SuarezG

NOTEWORTHY: Got called to Cup Series after racing for Xfinity Series championship last two seasons for Stewart-Haas. Will be racing for rookie of year.

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No. 3 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

DRIVER: Austin Dillon

BORN: April 27, 1990

HOMETOWN: Welcome, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Justin Alexander

SPONSOR: Bass Pro Shops/Tracker OffRoad

TWITTER: (at)austindillon3

NOTEWORTHY: 2018 Daytona 500 champion has new crew chief after disappointing 2019. Most tenured driver at Richard Childress Racing, the team owned by his grandfather.

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No. 20 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing

DRIVER: Erik Jones

BORN: May 30, 1996

HOMETOWN: Byron, Michigan

CREW CHIEF: Chris Gayle

SPONSOR: DeWalt

TWITTER: (at)erik_jones

NOTEWORTHY: Opened Speedweeks with victory in exhibition Busch Clash. Won July 2018 race at Daytona.

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No. 19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing

DRIVER: Martin Truex Jr.

BORN: June 29, 1980

HOMETOWN: Mayetta, New Jersey

CREW CHIEF: James Small

SPONSOR: Bass Pro Shops

TWITTER: (at)MartinTruexJr56

NOTEWORTHY: 2017 Cup Series champion won seven races and made it to final four last year. Crew chief Cole Pearn retired in offseason.

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No. 21 Ford, Wood Brothers

DRIVER: Matt DiBenedetto

BORN: July 27, 1991

HOMETOWN: Grass Valley, California

CREW CHIEF: Greg Erwin

SPONSOR: Motorcraft/Quick Lane

TWITTER: (at)mattdracing

NOTEWORTHY: Lost job at Leavine Family Racing last year and landed at Wood Brothers after Paul Menard retired.

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No. 95 Toyota, Leavine Family Racing

DRIVER: Christopher Bell

BORN: Dec. 16, 1994

HOMETOWN: Norman, Oklahoma

CREW CHIEF: Jason Ratcliff

SPONSOR: Procore

TWITTER: (at)CBellRacing

NOTEWORTHY: Won 15 races in Xfinity Series last two years as part of Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota development program. Earned a promotion to Cup for Gibbs affiliate team. Making Daytona 500 debut.

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No. 1 Ford, Chip Ganassi Racing

DRIVER: Kurt Busch

BORN: Aug. 4, 1978

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

CREW CHIEF: Matt McCall

SPONSOR: Monster Energy

TWITTER: (at)KurtBusch

NOTEWORTHY: 2004 series champion with Roush Racing and 2017 Daytona 500 champion with Stewart-Haas Racing. Beginning second season at Ganassi.

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No. 17 Ford, Roush Fenway Racing

DRIVER: Chris Buescher

BORN: Oct. 29, 1992

HOMETOWN: Prosper, Texas

CREW CHIEF: Luke Lambert

SPONSOR: Fastenal

TWITTER: (at)Chris_Buescher

NOTEWORTHY: Pulled back into Roush camp, which developed him and used window in contract negotiations to bring him back to replace Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

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No. 77 Chevrolet, Spire Motorsports

DRIVER: Ross Chastain

BORN: Dec. 4, 1992

HOMETOWN: Alva, Florida

CREW CHIEF: Tommy Baldwin Jr.

SPONSOR: AdventHealth

TWITTER: (at)RossChastain

NOTEWORTHY: Eighth-generation watermelon farmer getting break in car prepared by Chip Ganassi Racing. The team is actually Spire Motorsports, which won July race at Daytona on fluke strategy with different driver.

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No. 11 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing

DRIVER: Denny Hamlin

BORN: Nov. 18, 1980

HOMETOWN: Chesterfield, Virginia

CREW CHIEF: Chris Gabehart

SPONSOR: FedEx Express

TWITTER: (at)dennyhamlin

NOTEWORTHY: Two-time and defending Daytona 500 winner. Led 1-2-3 sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing at Daytona in 2019. His 2016 win over Martin Truex Jr. remains closest finish in race history.

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No. 8 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing

DRIVER: Tyler Reddick

BORN: Jan. 11, 1996

HOMETOWN: Corning, California

CREW CHIEF: Randall Burnett

SPONSOR: Caterpillar

TWITTER: (at)TylerReddick

NOTEWORTHY: Promoted to Cup Series after back-to-back Xfinity Series titles. Part of competitive rookie of the year class.

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No. 38 Ford, Front Row Motorsports

DRIVER: John Hunter Nemechek

BORN: June 11, 1997

HOMETOWN: Mooresville, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Seth Barbour

SPONSOR: Citgard

TWITTER: (at)JHNemechek

NOTEWORTHY: Cup rookie who got big break when Matt Tifft had to leave ride because of recurring seizures. Ran three Cup races last year and full Xfinity Series schedule.

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No. 13 Chevrolet, Germain Racing

DRIVER: Ty Dillon

BORN: Feb. 27, 1992

HOMETOWN: Lewisville, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Matt Borland

SPONSOR: GEICO

TWITTER: (at)tydillon

NOTEWORTHY: Younger brother of Austin Dillon. Has shown slow improvement in three full seasons in Cup Series with career-best three top-10 finishes last year.

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No. 9 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports

DRIVER: Chase Elliott

BORN: Nov. 28, 1995

HOMETOWN: Dawsonville, Georgia

CREW CHIEF: Alan Gustafson

SPONSOR: NAPA Auto Parts

TWITTER: (at)ChaseElliott

NOTEWORTHY: Son of two-time Daytona 500 champ and Hall of Fame driver Bill Elliott. Two-time defending winner of NASCAR’s most popular driver award.

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No. 34 Ford, Front Row Motorsports

DRIVER: Michael McDowell

BORN: Dec. 21, 1984

HOMETOWN: Glendale, Arizona

CREW CHIEF: Drew Blickensderfer

SPONSOR: Love’s Travel Stops

TWITTER: (at)Mc_Driver

NOTEWORTHY: Has consecutive top-10 finishes in Daytona 500. Was fifth in last year’s 500 and earned ire of fellow Ford driver Joey Logano for not trying to push Logano to win.

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No. 12 Ford, Team Penske

DRIVER: Ryan Blaney

BORN: Dec. 31, 1993

HOMETOWN: High Point, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Todd Gordon

SPONSOR: Menards/Peak

TWITTER: (at)Blaney

NOTEWORTHY: Won at Talladega last season to advance to third round of playoffs. A Roger Penske-orchestrated offseason shakeup got Blaney the crew chief who led Joey Logano to the 2018 championship.

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No. 18 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing

DRIVER: Kyle Busch

BORN: May 2, 1985

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

CREW CHIEF: Adam Stevens

SPONSOR: M&Ms

TWITTER: (at)KyleBusch

NOTEWORTHY: Won second championship last season and was runner-up to Gibbs teammate Denny Hamlin in Daytona 500. Winless in 14 Daytona 500 starts.

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No. 14 Ford, Stewart-Haas Racing

DRIVER: Clint Bowyer

BORN: May 30, 1979

HOMETOWN: Emporia, Kansas

CREW CHIEF: John Klausmeier

SPONSOR: Rush/Mobil 1

TWITTER: (at)ClintBowyer

NOTEWORTHY: Winless in 14 Daytona 500 starts and slowly making transition to broadcast with increased analyst role this year for Fox Sports.

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No. 36 Ford, Rick Ware Racing

DRIVER: David Ragan

BORN: Dec. 24, 1985

HOMETOWN: Unadilla, Georgia

CREW CHIEF: Derrick Finley

SPONSOR: Select Blinds

TWITTER: (at)DavidRagan

NOTEWORTHY: Stepping back from full-time racing to spend more time with family, but will race occasionally throughout season.

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No. 37 Chevrolet, JTG-Daugherty Racing

DRIVER: Ryan Preece

BORN: Oct. 25, 1990

HOMETOWN: Hartford, Connecticut

CREW CHIEF: Trent Owens

SPONSOR: Cottonelle

TWITTER:(at)RyanPreece—

NOTEWORTHY: Was impressive eighth in last year’s Daytona 500 debut, one of three top-10 finishes he notched during rookie campaign.

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No. 66 Ford, Vsi Racing

DRIVER: Timmy Hill

BORN: Feb. 25, 1993

HOMETOWN: Port Tobacco, Maryland

CREW CHIEF: Steven Idol

SPONSOR: RoofClaim.com/Vsi Racing

TWITTER: (at)TimmyHillRacer

NOTEWORTHY: Making Daytona 500 debut after earning spot in qualifier. Tried and failed to make race in 2017.

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No. 16 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing

DRIVER: Justin Haley

BORN: April 28, 1999

HOMETOWN: Winimac, Indiana

CREW CHIEF: Billy Scott

SPONSOR: Fraternal Order of Eagles

TWITTER: (at)justin_haley—

NOTEWORTHY: Won July race at Daytona last year by staying on track before rain stopped the race. Making Daytona 500 debut.

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No. 15 Chevrolet, Premium Motorsports

DRIVER: Brennan Poole

BORN: April 11, 1991

HOMETOWN: The Woodlands, Texas

CREW CHIEF: Pat Tryson

SPONSOR: SpartanGo

TWITTER: (at)brennanpoole

NOTEWORTHY: Has been out of NASCAR last two seasons and making both Daytona 500 and Cup debut.

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No. 00 Chevrolet, StarCom Racing

DRIVER: Quin Houff

BORN: Sept. 15, 1997

HOMETOWN: Weyers Cave, Virginia

CREW CHIEF: George Church

SPONSOR: Jacob Construction

TWITTER: (at)P1_Houff

NOTEWORTHY: Making Daytona 500 debut. Has just 17 career Cup starts and best finish of 29th last season.

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No. 32 Ford, GO FAS Racing

DRIVER: Corey LaJoie

BORN: Sept. 25, 1991

HOMETOWN: Charlotte, North Carolina

CREW CHIEF: Ryan Sparks

SPONSOR: RagingBull.com

TWITTER: (at)CoreyLaJoie

NOTEWORTHY: Continues to make name for himself at NASCAR’s top level and made news leading into Daytona 500 for presenting Rick Hendrick with handwritten letter explaining why he should be considered to replace Jimmie Johnson next season.

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No. 51 Chevrolet, Petty Ware Racing

DRIVER: Joey Gase

BORN: Feb. 8, 1993

HOMETOWN: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

CREW CHIEF: Lee Leslie

SPONSOR: EFX Corp./PageKC.com

TWITTER: (at)JoeyGaseRacing

NOTEWORTHY: Making Daytona 500 debut. Proud father of twin boys who were born prematurely in mid-December and able to go home 2 1/2 weeks later. Twins made first trip to track for Gase’s qualifier.

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No. 52 Ford, Rick Ware Racing

DRIVER: B.J. McLeod

BORN: Nov. 17, 1983

HOMETOWN: Wauchula, Florida

CREW CHIEF: Jason Houghtaling

SPONSOR: Ford

TWITTER: (at)bjmcleod78

NOTEWORTHY: Racing in second Daytona 500. Finished 19th in debut last year.

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No. 62 Chevrolet, Beard Motorsports

DRIVER: Brendan Gaughan

BORN: July 10, 1975

HOMETOWN: Las Vegas

CREW CHIEF: Darren Shaw

SPONSOR: Beard Motorsports/South Point Chevrolet

TWITTER: (at)Brendan62

NOTEWORTHY: Racing all four superspeedway events this year before retirement. Earned spot in Daytona 500 through time trials.

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No. 27 Chevrolet, Premium Motorsports

DRIVER: Reed Sorenson

BORN: Feb. 5, 1986

HOMETOWN: Peachtree City, Georgia

CREW CHIEF: Peter Sospenzo

SPONSOR: Premium Motorsports

TWITTER: (at)ReedSorenson36

NOTEWORTHY: Raced way into Daytona 500 via qualifying. Last made 500 in 2015. Winless in six Daytona 500 starts, with best finish of fifth in 2008.