Daytona 500 2025 kicks off Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m.
The Daytona 500, also known as “The Great American Race,” is an iconic 500-mile event held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Considered the most important race in NASCAR history, the Daytona 500 is one of two Cup races held at Daytona each year.
NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. opened the Daytona track in 1959, with the first race taking place on Feb. 22, 1959.
The inaugural Daytona 500 was won by Lee Petty, NASCAR’s first three-time Cup champion.
The Daytona 500 was also the first race to ever be broadcast live on television. This broadcast increased NASCAR’s popularity, drawing more media attention as the sport grew.
Throughout the years, the Daytona 500 has featured many historic moments, including record-breaking speeds, dramatic finishes, and emotional victories.
Notable drivers in Daytona 500 history include Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Jeff Gordon. All have won the 500-mile race, earning both a trophy and a place in history.
Petty holds the record with seven Daytona 500 wins, a mark that still stands today.
The race has also seen several fatal accidents, prompting major safety improvements that have made the race one of the safest in NASCAR.
One such fatal crash occurred during the second-ever Daytona 500 in 1952. Larry Mann lost control of his car, which flipped and crashed into a guardrail, resulting in his death.
Another tragic accident occurred during the 2001 Daytona 500, when Dale Earnhardt, who was leading the race, was involved in a multi-car crash on the last lap. He hit the outside wall at high speed, sustaining a fatal head injury.
The safety measures in Earnhardt’s car failed to protect his head and neck, leading to his death.
These accidents prompted NASCAR to implement more effective safety protocols to protect drivers.
The Daytona 500 continues to attract fans from around the world and remains one of America’s premier NASCAR events.
