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By Alex Harrington
Sports Contributing Writer
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NASCAR has confirmed the dismissal of two crew chiefs just before the iconic Daytona 500 race due to rule violations.
Chris Lawson from Front Row Motorsports and Billy Plourde from Rick Ware Racing were dismissed for issues related to improper weights found on their respective cars. This decision affects drivers Todd Gilliland, racing the No. 34 car, and Cody Ware, piloting the No. 51 car, both of whom are guaranteed a spot on the starting grid as chartered entries.
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Front Row Motorsports, the team behind Todd Gilliland's No. 34 car, has been struggling in recent seasons, although progressed in 2024. They, alongside 23XI Racing, have started a legal battle with NASCAR over alleged monopolistic practices.
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Similarly, Rick Ware Racing will need to adjust quickly. Cody Ware, the driver of the No. 51 car and the son of the team owner Rick Ware, faces a tough race ahead given his struggle with consistency in the Cup Series in previous seasons.
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Stepping in for Lawson is Kevyn Rebolledo, who brings experience as an engineer from Team Penske, though his stint as a crew chief in the Cup Series is somewhat limited. Meanwhile, Tommy Baldwin, a NASCAR veteran with over two decades of experience, will replace Billy Plourde. Baldwin is expected to bring stability with his comprehensive background.
These dismissals could add extra stress to these teams. The interplay between crew chiefs and drivers is crucial, and changes can impact decision-making and communication during the race. However, being chartered entries, the affected cars still retain their start on the grid, safeguarding their place in the race despite these hiccups.
There are substantial regulatory changes coming for 2025, including stricter penalties to avoid race manipulation and a revamped practice structure for superspeedways. These changes include limiting practice sessions to just 50 minutes before qualifying. This has been questioned by drivers, with Christopher Bell, for instance, questioning the limited practice, whereas Dale Earnhardt Jr. has supported this.
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When and how to watch the NASCAR Daytona 500
Wednesday, February 12
10.05 a.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Practice 1
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
8.15 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Qualifying
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
Thursday, February 13
4.05 p.m. ET: ARCA Menards Series - Practice
5.05 p.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Practice
Follow live on FS1.
7 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Duel 1 at Daytona
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
8.45 p.m. ET: Nascar Cup Series - Duel 2 at Daytona
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
Friday, February 14
1.30 p.m. ET: ARCA Menards Series - Qualifying
3 p.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Qualifying
Follow live on FS1.
4.35 p.m. ET: NASCAR Xfinity Series - Practice
Follow live on CW.
5.35 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Practice 2
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
7.30 p.m. ET: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series - Fresh From Florida 250
Follow live on FS1, MRN, or SiriusXM.
Saturday, February 15
10 a.m. ET: NASCAR Xfinity Series - Qualifying
Follow live on CW.
12 p.m. ET: ARCA Menards Series - Daytona ARCA 200
Follow live on FOX, MRN, or SiriusXM.
3.05 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Practice 3
Follow live on FS2, MRN, or SiriusXM.
5 p.m. ET: NASCAR Xfinity Series - United Rentals 300
Follow live on CW, MRN, or SiriusXM.
Sunday, February 16
2.30 p.m. ET: NASCAR Cup Series - Daytona 500
Follow live on FOX, MRN, or SiriusXM.
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