2011 Daytona 500 facts for kids

Trevor Bayne's car before the start of the 2011 Daytona 500

The 2011 Daytona 500 was a super exciting car race that happened on February 20, 2011. It took place at the famous Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This race was the very first one of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

A driver named Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was super fast in the qualifying rounds, which usually means he would start in first place. But, he had a crash during practice, so he couldn't start from the very front. The race was eventually won by Trevor Bayne. He was only 20 years old when he won, making him the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500! It was a huge moment in racing history.

What is the Daytona 500?

The Daytona 500 is one of the biggest and most famous car races in the world. It's often called "The Great American Race." It's a 500-mile long race held every year at the Daytona International Speedway. Winning this race is a dream for many NASCAR drivers.

Who Won the 2011 Race?

The 2011 Daytona 500 was won by Trevor Bayne. He drove the No. 21 car for Wood Brothers Racing. It was a huge surprise because he was so young and not many people expected him to win.

Top Finishers of the Race

While Trevor Bayne took home the big win, many other talented drivers finished strong. Here are the top drivers and their teams:

• First Place: Trevor Bayne in the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing.
• Second Place: Carl Edwards in the No. 99 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing.
• Third Place: David Gilliland in the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.
• Fourth Place: Bobby Labonte in the No. 47 Toyota.
• Fifth Place: Kurt Busch in the No. 22 Dodge for Penske Racing.

Many other drivers also competed in this exciting race, driving cars from different manufacturers like Chevrolet and Toyota.

Images for kids

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  The tri-oval track after it was repaved between 2010 and 2011.

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  Dale Earnhardt Jr. won the pole position for the 2011 race.

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  Spectators at the race honoring the 10th anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death.

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  Trevor Bayne's winning Ford car from the 2011 Daytona 500.

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  Carl Edwards led the Drivers' Championship points after the race.