The face of NASCAR is changing.

At Sunday’s Daytona 500, four Black owners fielded cars for the first time in the event’s history. They were:

• Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan (23XI Racing)
• entrepreneur John Cohen (NY Racing)
• former NBA player Brad Daugherty (JTG Daugherty)
• boxing legend Floyd Mayweather (The Money Team Racing)

Cohen, who played football at Grambling State University from 1993 to 1997, decked his No. 44 car in the iconic black-and-gold colors of his alma mater.

The big picture: NASCAR needs new blood as some of its legendary team owners face aging out. It also wants to keep pace with the times.

To make ownership less expensive, NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car in Daytona. In appearance, they are more like the cars we see everyday. They also require less customization.

Also in Daytona:

• Jusan Hamilton assumed the reins as the event’s first Black race director, and NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson was grand marshal.

Checkered flag: Jordan’s car, with Bubba Wallace a the wheel, finished second, a hair short of winning. The Grambling car, driven by Greg Biffle, developed engine trouble and was out early.