Mayweather’s NASCAR team still trying to qualify, two open teams locked into Daytona 500
Floyd Mayweather’s NASCAR team will try to race its way into the Daytona 500 with driver Kaz Grala behind the wheel. Grala is one of four drivers aiming to fill two remaining open spots in the final field during Thursday’s Duels.
Open drivers Jacques Villeneuve and Noah Gragson secured their place in the 40-car field by posting the top two qualifying times and speeds of the open cars on Wednesday night. Villeneuve notched a time of 51.010 seconds and speed of 176.436 mph. Gragson posted a slightly better time of 50.689 seconds and speed of 177.553 to secure his place in this year’s main race after failing to qualify last year.
“To be able to make my first Cup start on Sunday, it’s special,” said Xfinity driver Gragson on FS1.
Grala’s time came in just slower than Villeneuve at 51.094 seconds, with a speed of 176.146 mph. He races for Mayweather’s newly debuting The Money Team Racing (TMTR) in the No. 50 Chevrolet. In addition to Grala, open drivers Greg Biffle, J.J. Yeley and Timmy Hill will aim to race their way into the Daytona 500 lineup during the Duels.
Mayweather announced his team earlier this month with sponsorship from polarized sunglasses company Pit Viper. The famed boxer is a 15-time world-title holder, Olympic bronze medalist and three-time U.S. Golden Glove title winner. Tony Eury Jr., a former Cup crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1999-04) and Paul Menard (2006-07), is Grala’s crew chief.
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 9:10 PM.
