O'Reilly Series Kicks Off at Daytona: United Rentals 300 Sets the Stage for Speed and Strategy
The rebranded NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to Daytona this weekend, with the United Rentals 300 scheduled to start at 5: 00 p. m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14. With qualifying done and the starting grid set, teams and drivers head into a short, intense 120-lap shootout where drafting, timing and a bit of luck will decide who gets the early-season trophy.
New name, familiar chaos
The second-tier stock car championship begins its season under a new corporate banner, but the superspeedway script remains familiar: tight packs, high speeds and the ever-present threat of multi-car incidents. The event will run as the lead-in to the sport’s marquee weekend, and the Daytona entry lists mix series regulars with drivers also competing in the top-level race and the Truck Series.
Schedule and where the action starts
The weekend’s on-track slate kicks off with the undercard event at noon ET, followed by the United Rentals 300 at 5: 00 p. m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14. The big weekend continues into Sunday, when the season’s flagship race will begin at 1: 30 p. m. ET. Broadcasters and national streaming partners will carry live coverage for viewers across the country, and fans should plan around the ET start times for live viewing and race-day updates.
Drivers to watch in the field
Last year’s superspeedway winner in this slot took the checkered flag in overtime after an intense finish, and several names in this year’s lineup bring both experience and momentum. Two drivers entered in this event are also on the roster for the premier series’ big race, and a handful of competitors will run double duty with starts in the Truck Series this weekend. Expect veterans who know how to navigate pack racing to be front-runners, while several younger drivers will be aiming for breakout moments.
Format, strategy and race math
The 120-lap race is divided into stages of 30, 30 and 60 laps. That structure compresses strategy: stage points and track position will be critical, but the longest final segment will reward late-race execution. Historically, winners at this distance and track have usually started up front — the last 16 editions produced 14 winners who began inside the top 10 — though there have been notable exceptions where drivers prevailed from 12th on the grid. Manufacturer trends show patterns of dominance in recent years, but the unpredictability of Daytona means strategy, timing and alliances in the draft can upend form books in an instant.
Qualifying set the grid; what matters on race day
Qualifying finalized the starting order, but at Daytona the grid is often only a guide. Pack dynamics quickly reshuffle positions, so teams will prioritize clean air runs, protecting teammates and picking the right partner at the right time. Pit stops are short and precise efforts can gain or lose crucial positions, particularly in the run to the checkered flag. Watch for opportunistic moves in the final laps, and expect the possibility of overtime that can extend the drama beyond the scheduled 120 circuits.
What fans should expect
The weekend offers a concentrated dose of superspeedway racing: short stages, fast laps and the kind of close-quarters drafting that breeds both spectacular moves and headline-making wrecks. With the season-opening energy in the pits and a mix of established names and rising talents on track, the United Rentals 300 will provide an early read on teams’ speed and drivers’ composure. From practice to the final laps, margin for error will be minimal and excitement guaranteed.
