Daytona 500: The Great American Race
On February 22, 1959, Johnny Beauchamp won the inaugural Daytona 500. Three days later, after careful inspection of finish line photographs, NASCAR officials overturned the decision and handed Lee Petty the title. This Sunday, the Daytona 500 will be run for the 50th time and, though it won’t take three days to determine the winner, we’ll likely see the same action, controversy and close finishes that have characterized the race since Petty’s disputed win. This guide teaches you the history and essentials of the race and points you toward the best sources for news and analysis.
Expand All Guide SectionsDaytona 500 Facts and History
The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious and most-watched race in the United States, and it marks the start of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup season. This section provides an overview of the Daytona 500, with sites covering the race and its history, the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and the Daytona Speedway. These sites can also assist those who are making the trip to Daytona with information on tickets, accomodations, and activities around the track.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Last year’s winner was Kevin Harvick, who won the race by just .02 seconds.
- If you’re just a casual fan and you have basic questions about the Daytona 500, visit HowStuffWorks’s guide to the Daytona 500.
Dulcinea's Picks
The Daytona 500
official Web site has race news, profiles of the contending drivers, ticket and visiting information, and more. Visit the “History” section to see past winners, a decade-by-decade history of the race, and recaps of the greatest finishes. Stop by the “Video” section for interviews with drivers recounting their favorite Daytona moments.
NASCAR.com
has profiles and pictures of the drivers, video from Speedweeks, and all the stats you need from last year’s Sprint Cup races. The NASCAR 101 page gives a good overview of the sport, with biographies of famous drivers, a glossary of terms, and an explanation of the Sprint Cup season.
The Daytona International Speedway
official site has information about the track that’s particularly useful for visiting fans, including maps, directions and local accommodations. Don’t miss the 3D views from the grandstands and animated tours of the infield and suites.
The Daytona 500 Experience
is an interactive museum celebrating the race’s history. Look for traditional museum exhibits as well as motion simulators, IMAX movies, a do-it-yourself pit stop, and more. It also features the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which lets you ride shotgun for a lap around the track. The site describes each attraction and gives information on museum hours, directions, and tickets.
Daytona 500 News and Analysis
Since the end of last year’s Sprint Cup, fans have been waiting to kick off the new season at ... read more »
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