In a stunning turn of events that defied expectations, BJ McLeod Motorsports and Garage 66 secured spots in the Daytona 500, outpacing entries from RFK Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and a Richard Childress Racing partner.
As Casey Mears, who piloted the Garage66 for Carl Long, aptly noted, anything is possible at Daytona. This unpredictability is precisely why McLeod and Mears chose to compete against seasoned teams, akin to bringing a knife to a gunfight.
When drivers enter the draft, navigating through a potential 20-car pileup, even the underdogs have a genuine chance at conquering The Great American Race.
“I believe that at superspeedways like Daytona, it truly is anyone’s game,” Mears stated. “Throughout my career, I’ve experienced both top-tier teams and smaller organizations, and I’ve learned that surprises are commonplace here.”
He continued, “You can arrive with a major team, convinced you’ve prepared perfectly during the off-season, and still qualify 25th. In 2019, I was part of a small team that managed to qualify based on speed alone.”
Mears expressed that Daytona is notorious for its randomness, where unforeseen incidents can alter the race’s outcome. Sometimes fortune favors you, and sometimes it does not, but today, they were fortunate.
Initially, it appeared Mears might be out of contention after he spun into the grass during a pit stop, losing a lap in the process. However, fortune smiled upon him during the subsequent caution, especially when Corey Lajoie and Chandler Smith collided ahead.
With his foot firmly pressing the accelerator, Mears crossed the finish line as the transfer driver when the final caution was waved.
McLeod’s journey, however, took a more dramatic turn. As the checkered flag fell, he found himself eliminated from the race with Anthony Alfredo securing his place. This was the situation until NASCAR conducted a post-race inspection.
During this examination, it was discovered that Alfredo’s vehicle had two cooling hoses—transaxle and driver—not properly secured, leading to his disqualification. As a result, McLeod found himself in a race he didn’t initially qualify for, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Daytona.
“I feel for them,” McLeod shared with FOX Sports. “Anthony and Linda are wonderful people. I congratulated them as soon as we stopped on pit road. I was genuinely thrilled for their achievement.”
He added, “It’s a tough situation, but in 2024, we had the car capable of running well and could have easily cruised, yet we took risks and ended up in a wreck. You never know what can happen in these duels; that’s what I adore about them, which is why I keep returning to compete.”
The emotional rollercoaster continued for Alfredo, who was on the verge of tears after making the race for the third time, especially since this was his first successful duel after a previous failure, only to have it slip away during inspection.
Looking ahead to Sunday, similar scenarios could unfold. Perhaps Mears and McLeod will evade the big crashes and find themselves contending for a top position. It’s also possible that the leading driver might face inspection woes.
They could also receive the perfect push, taking the lead just before the white flag, only for a caution to conclude the race prematurely. The Daytona 500 is a spectacle where the unexpected is the norm.
“We’ve seen it happen before,” Mears remarked. “Once you’re in the race, you’ve got a legitimate shot.”
