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.

Throughout Daytona Beach, signs promoting the race hang on bar windows. Placards sit on tables in hotel lobbies. Restaurants feverishly make preparations for their busiest time of the year. If you didn’t know better,

The first race at Chicago was marred by heavy rain, and that played right into the hands of Shane van Gisbergen, who was one of the few in the field accustomed to racing a street course in wet conditions thanks to his Australian Supercars background. SVG came from 18th to first in the final run to win in his Cup debut.