The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel, is more than just a race—it’s a shot at immortality. Every February, teams from across the NASCAR spectrum vie for a chance to capture the sport’s most prestigious prize. For part-time underdog teams like NY Racing, it’s an uphill battle against giants. But in 2025, the team is doubling […]
The Daytona 500, NASCAR’s crown jewel, is more than just a race—it’s a shot at immortality. Every February, teams from across the NASCAR spectrum vie for a chance to capture the sport’s most prestigious prize. For part-time underdog teams like NY Racing, it’s an uphill battle against giants. But in 2025, the team is doubling down on their Daytona dreams despite the ever-looming shadow of sponsorship troubles.
NY Racing’s History: A Team of Resilience
Since their debut in 2012, NY Racing has epitomized persistence. The team, led by Johnathan Cohen, has never been a regular presence in the NASCAR Cup Series, but they’ve consistently fought to stay on the grid. With 31 race starts and an average finish of 36.35, NY Racing’s stats might not turn heads, but their tenacity does.
In 2024, the team had its busiest season since its inception, participating in nine races, with standout moments like a 20th-place finish at the August Daytona race with Joey Gase and 16th place in the Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1 with J.J. Yeley. For a part-time team battling limited resources, these results were milestones.
2025 Ambitions: Aiming for Daytona Redemption
NY Racing’s crew chief Jay Guy is clear about the team’s priorities: the 2025 Daytona 500 is at the top of their agenda. Speaking with SiriusXM NASCAR, Guy reflected on their close call in 2024, where they missed qualifying for the 500 in the final moments.
“We were in the [Daytona 500] until the last eighth of a mile, and then our line checked up, and Jimmie Johnson came pulling through the middle, and we missed it,” Guy recalled.
Determined to avoid a repeat, the team is pulling out all the stops for 2025. NY Racing plans to bring two cars to Daytona, ensuring they have backup equipment ready should anything go wrong during qualifying or the duels.
“We’re going to have two cars in the trailer down there in case we hurt one,” Guy said. “It takes time to get those built, but we’re preparing hard.”
While their determination is undeniable, NY Racing faces a harsh reality: sponsorship. NASCAR is an expensive sport, and without financial backing, even the most determined teams can struggle to stay afloat.
“A lot of our season is pending on sponsorship,” Guy admitted. “We need sponsors to be able to play in this great sport of NASCAR, so we’re just getting ready for when those opportunities come.”
Sponsorship woes have claimed bigger teams in recent memory, with Stewart-Haas Racing shuttering its operations in 2024. For NY Racing, securing funding isn’t just about running the Daytona 500—it’s about survival.
Daytona Dreams: A David vs. Goliath Story
Despite their challenges, NY Racing’s spirit remains unbroken. The Daytona 500 has always been a race where underdogs can shine. Just look at drivers like Trevor Bayne, whose Cinderella story win in 2011 proved that miracles can happen on the high banks of Daytona.
While Jay Guy didn’t reveal who will pilot the team’s #44 car in February, he emphasized that they’re focused on putting their best foot forward. With proper preparation, a bit of luck, and some much-needed sponsorship, NY Racing could turn their Daytona dream into reality.
Can NY Racing Pull Off a Miracle?
The odds are stacked against NY Racing, but in NASCAR, nothing is impossible. Their commitment to the 2025 Daytona 500, from fielding multiple cars to relentless offseason preparation, shows a team hungry for its moment in the spotlight.
If they can secure the sponsorship needed to compete, NY Racing might just remind us all why the Daytona 500 is called the Great American Race—a place where dreams come alive, even for the underdogs.
