Daytona 500 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Daytona 500

NASCAR Cup Series
Venue	Daytona International Speedway
Location	Daytona Beach, Florida, United States
First race	1959 (1959)
Distance	500 mi (800 km)
Laps	200 Stages 1/2: 65 each Final stage: 70
Previous names	Inaugural 500 Mile International Sweepstakes (1959) Second Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes (1960) Daytona 500 presented by STP (1991–1993) Daytona 500 presented by Dodge (2001) Daytona 500 presented by Toyota (2007) Daytona 500 (1961–1990, 1994–2000, 2002–2006, 2008–present)
Most wins (driver)	Richard Petty (7)
Most wins (team)	Petty Enterprises Hendrick Motorsports (9)
Most wins (manufacturer)	Chevrolet (26)
Circuit information
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Turns	4

The Daytona 500 is a famous 500-mile (800 km) NASCAR Cup Series car race. It happens every year at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. This race is the first of two Cup races held at Daytona each year. It is also one of three races held in Florida.

The first Daytona 500 was in 1959. This was when the speedway first opened. Since 1982, it has been the very first race of the NASCAR Cup Series season.

Many people think the Daytona 500 is the most important race in NASCAR. It offers the biggest prize money. It's special because it's the first big race of the year. Most sports have their biggest events at the end of the season. The Daytona 500 is often called "The Great American Race." It's also known as the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing."

Since 1997, the winner of the Daytona 500 gets the Harley J. Earl Trophy. The winning car is shown for a year at the Daytona 500 Experience museum. This museum is right next to the speedway.

How the Race Started

A view of Daytona International Speedway from above.

The Daytona 500 grew from shorter races held on the Daytona Beach and Road Course. This old track used parts of the beach and a nearby highway. In 1959, a 500-mile stock car race was held at the new Daytona International Speedway. This was only the second 500-mile NASCAR race ever. It has been held every year since then. By 1961, people started calling it the Daytona 500.

Daytona International Speedway is 2.5 miles (4 km) long. A 500-mile race means drivers complete 200 laps. Sometimes, the race has been shortened because of rain. This happened in 1965, 1966, 2003, and 2009. In 1974, it was shortened due to an energy crisis. Since 2004, races can go longer than 500 miles. This happens if a special "green-white-checkered" rule is used. The 2023 race was the longest Daytona 500 ever. It lasted 212 laps, or 530 miles (853 km).

William Byron won the most recent Daytona 500.

Exciting Moments from History

Here are some memorable moments from the Daytona 500:

• 1959: Lee Petty, a famous racing dad, won the very first Daytona 500. He beat Johnny Beauchamp in a close finish.
• 1960: Junior Johnson used a trick called "the draft" to win. This was a new idea back then.
• 1961: This was the first time the race was officially called the Daytona 500.
• 1965: This was the first Daytona 500 that was cut short by rain. Fred Lorenzen was leading when the race ended.
• 1966: Richard Petty became the first driver to win the race twice. Only 12 drivers have won two or more Daytona 500s.
• 1967: Mario Andretti led most of the race to get his only win in the Cup Series.
• 1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough used a "slingshot pass" on the last lap to win. He learned this move from the year before.
• 1971: Richard Petty won his third Daytona 500.
• 1972: A. J. Foyt was so fast he finished almost two laps ahead of the second-place car.
• 1973: Richard Petty won his fourth Daytona 500.
• 1974: The race was shorter this year because of an oil crisis. Richard Petty won his fifth Daytona 500. He was also the first to win two years in a row.
• 1976: This race had one of the most exciting finishes ever. Richard Petty and David Pearson crashed near the finish line. Pearson managed to get his car moving again to win.
• 1979: This was the first Daytona 500 shown live on TV across the country. On the last lap, leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison crashed. Then, a disagreement broke out between them and Donnie's brother Bobby. While they were arguing, Richard Petty, who was behind them, drove past to win!
• 1980: Buddy Baker won the fastest Daytona 500 ever. He drove at 177.602 mph (285.809 km/h).
• 1981: Richard Petty won his seventh Daytona 500. He is the only driver to win in three different decades.
• 1982: The Daytona 500 became the first race of the NASCAR season. Bobby Allison won, but some people thought his car had an unfair advantage.
• 1983: Cale Yarborough was the first to drive a qualifying lap over 200 mph (320 km/h). He crashed his main car but won the race in a backup car!
• 1984: Cale Yarborough officially broke the 200 mph (320 km/h) barrier at Daytona. He also won his fourth Daytona 500.
• 1985: Bill Elliott almost lapped the whole field. He had a long pit stop but still came back to win his first Daytona 500.
• 1987: Bill Elliott set a Daytona record by qualifying at 210.364 mph (338.532 km/h). He led most of the race to win.
• 1988: Special parts called "restrictor plates" were added to cars to slow them down. Richard Petty had a big crash but walked away safely. Bobby Allison and his son Davey finished first and second. This was a special moment for the family.
• 1989: Darrell Waltrip won by saving fuel for the last 53 laps. It was his 17th try.
• 1990: Dale Earnhardt was set to win. But on the last lap, he hit something on the track and blew a tire. This allowed Derrike Cope, a less known driver, to win in a huge surprise.
• 1991: Dale Earnhardt's bad luck at Daytona continued. Ernie Irvan passed him to win. Earnhardt spun out near the end.
• 1992: Davey Allison led the last 102 laps to win his only Daytona 500.
• 1993: Rusty Wallace had a scary flip on the track. Dale Jarrett won a close race, beating Dale Earnhardt on the last lap.
• 1994: Sterling Marlin won his first career Cup race by saving fuel. Sadly, two drivers died in practice accidents during Speedweeks.
• 1995: Sterling Marlin became one of only three drivers to win the Daytona 500 two years in a row.
• 1997: Jeff Gordon became the youngest winner at 25 years old. Dale Earnhardt had another rollover crash but got back in his car to finish.
• 1998: After 20 years of trying, Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500! Fans were thrilled for him.
• 1999: Jeff Gordon won both the pole position and the race.
• 2001: This was a very sad day for NASCAR. Michael Waltrip won his first race, but on the final lap, Dale Earnhardt was in a tragic accident and passed away.
• 2003: Michael Waltrip won again in the shortest Daytona 500 ever. It was cut short by rain.
• 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first Daytona 500. This was six years after his father won.
• 2005: The race started later so it could finish at dusk under the lights. Jeff Gordon won his third Daytona 500.
• 2007: Kevin Harvick won by just 0.02 seconds in a thrilling finish. Many cars crashed behind him.
• 2008: This was the 50th running of the Daytona 500. It was the first race using NASCAR's new "Car of Tomorrow."

Trevor Bayne, driving the No. 21 Ford, won the 2011 Daytona 500.

• 2011: The third lap was a "silent lap" to remember Dale Earnhardt. Trevor Bayne, at 20 years and one day old, became the youngest Daytona 500 winner ever.
• 2012: Rain delayed this race for a long time. It was the first Daytona 500 to be run at night. Juan Pablo Montoya crashed into a jet dryer, causing a big fire. Matt Kenseth won the race, which ended very late.
• 2013: This race used NASCAR's new Generation 6 cars. Rookie Danica Patrick won the pole position. She was the first woman to lead laps in the race. Jimmie Johnson won his second Daytona 500.
• 2014: For the second year in a row, a rookie won the pole position. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his second Daytona 500. The race was delayed over six hours by heavy rain.

The start of the 2015 Daytona 500

• 2015: Joey Logano won his first Daytona 500. There were two big crashes during the race.
• 2016: Rookie Chase Elliott started from the pole. Denny Hamlin won by only 0.010 seconds. This was the closest finish in Daytona 500 history.
• 2017: This was the first race with new "stage caution breaks." Kurt Busch won after many drivers ran out of fuel near the end.
• 2018: Austin Dillon won by bumping the leader on the last lap. This was 20 years after Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s win in the same car number. Darrell Wallace Jr. finished second, the best for an African-American driver.
• 2019: This was the last race to use older "restrictor plates." William Byron and Alex Bowman were the youngest front-row starters. Denny Hamlin won his second Daytona 500.
• 2020: The race was delayed a day by rain. Denny Hamlin won his third Daytona 500. The win was overshadowed by a very serious accident for Ryan Newman on the final lap. He was taken to a hospital but later recovered.
• 2021: Like 2011, there was a "silent lap" on lap 3. A big crash happened early in the race. After a long rain delay, Michael McDowell won his first career Cup race.
• 2022: This was the first race for the new "Next-Gen" car. Austin Cindric won the 500 in only his eighth Cup start. He became the second youngest winner ever.

How Drivers Qualify

The Daytona 500 has a special way for drivers to qualify. The fastest two cars in a timed session get the first two starting spots. This session is held a few days before the race.

The rest of the starting spots are decided by two shorter qualifying races. These races are held on the Thursday before the main event. Drivers who do well in these races earn their spot. Some spots are also saved for top drivers from previous seasons.

Watching the Race on TV

The Daytona 500 was the first 500-mile car race ever shown live on TV from start to finish. This happened in 1979 on CBS.

Over the years, different TV channels have shown the race. FOX has been the main broadcaster since 2007. They will show the Daytona 500 until at least 2024.

The race used to start around noon. But now, it often starts later in the afternoon. This means it can finish after sunset under the track lights. This makes the race exciting because the track conditions change as it gets dark. Some races have even been delayed by rain and finished very late at night.

Daytona 500 Winners

For NASCAR Grand National winners at Daytona from 1949 to 1958, see Daytona Beach and Road Course.

‡ – This was the fastest Daytona 500 before new rules were added in 2017. It was set by Buddy Baker in 1980.

† – This is the fastest Daytona 500 since the new rules (stages era) were added in 2017. It was set by William Byron in 2024.

Drivers with Multiple Wins

Teams with Multiple Wins

Winning Car Brands

Winning Sponsors

Race Winner Records

Pre-race events before the 2008 Daytona 500.

Winning Two Years in a Row

• Drivers:

* Richard Petty (1973, 1974) * Cale Yarborough (1983, 1984) * Sterling Marlin (1994, 1995) * Denny Hamlin (2019, 2020)

• Team Owners:

* Richard Petty (1970, 1971) and (1973, 1974) * Harry Ranier & J. T. Lundy (1983, 1984) * Morgan–McClure Motorsports (1994, 1995) * Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (2003, 2004) * Hendrick Motorsports (2005, 2006) and (2013, 2014) * Joe Gibbs Racing (2019, 2020)

Winners from the Pole Position

Some drivers have won the Daytona 500 after starting in the very first spot (pole position):

• 1962 – Fireball Roberts
• 1966 – Richard Petty
• 1968, 1984 – Cale Yarborough
• 1980 – Buddy Baker
• 1985, 1987 – Bill Elliott
• 1999 – Jeff Gordon
• 2000 – Dale Jarrett

Family Winners

• Petty Family: Father Lee (1959) and son Richard (won 7 times!).
• Allison Family: Father Bobby (won 3 times) and son Davey (1992). In 1988, Bobby and Davey finished first and second!
• Earnhardt Family: Father Dale (1998) and son Dale Jr. (2004, 2014).
• Waltrip Brothers: Darrell (1989) and Michael (2001, 2003).

Winners as Both Driver and Owner

Some amazing people have won the Daytona 500 both as a driver and as a team owner:

• Lee Petty (driver/owner in 1959)
• Junior Johnson (driver in 1960, owner in 1969, 1977)
• Richard Petty (driver/owner 7 times, owner in 1970)
• Dale Earnhardt (driver in 1998, owner in 2001, 2003, 2004 – his team won after his passing)
• Jeff Gordon (driver 3 times, owner in 2006, 2013)

Winning the Daytona 500 and Other Big Races in the Same Year

• Daytona 500 and Busch Clash (a special race before the 500):

* 1982 – Bobby Allison * 1987 – Bill Elliott * 1996, 2000 – Dale Jarrett * 1997 – Jeff Gordon * 2016 – Denny Hamlin

• Daytona 500 and Bluegreen Vacations Duel (qualifying races):

* 1962 – Fireball Roberts * 1977, 1984 – Cale Yarborough * 1985 – Bill Elliott * 1988 – Bobby Allison * 1995 – Sterling Marlin * 1998 – Dale Earnhardt * 2004 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. * 2012 – Matt Kenseth

• Daytona 500 and the Spring Talladega race (GEICO 500):

* 1970 – Pete Hamilton * 1980 – Buddy Baker * 1984 – Cale Yarborough * 1985 – Bill Elliott * 1992 – Davey Allison * 2005 – Jeff Gordon * 2006 – Jimmie Johnson

• Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 (Charlotte):

* 1965 – Fred Lorenzen * 1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough * 1976 – David Pearson * 1996 – Dale Jarrett * 1997 – Jeff Gordon

• Daytona 500 and Coke Zero Sugar 400 (Daytona's second race):

* 1962 – Fireball Roberts * 1968 – Cale Yarborough * 1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough * 1982 – Bobby Allison * 2013 – Jimmie Johnson

• Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 (Indianapolis):

* 1996 – Dale Jarrett * 2006 – Jimmie Johnson * 2010 – Jamie McMurray

• Daytona 500 and Southern 500 (Darlington):

* 1968 – Cale Yarborough * 1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough * 1976 – David Pearson * 1985 – Bill Elliott * 1997 – Jeff Gordon

Winning the Daytona 500 and 2 Other Big Races in the Same Year

• 1969 – LeeRoy Yarbrough (also won the World 600 and Southern 500)
• 1976 – David Pearson (also won the World 600 and Southern 500)
• 1985 – Bill Elliott (also won the Winston 500 and Southern 500)
• 1996 – Dale Jarrett (also won the Coca-Cola 600 and Brickyard 400)
• 1997 – Jeff Gordon (also won the Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500)
• 2006 – Jimmie Johnson (also won the Aaron's 499 and Brickyard 400)

Winning the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in the Same Year

• 1959 – Lee Petty
• 1964, 1971, 1974, 1979 – Richard Petty
• 1977 – Cale Yarborough
• 1997 – Jeff Gordon
• 2006, 2013 – Jimmie Johnson

Drivers Whose First NASCAR Cup Series Win Was the Daytona 500

• 1963 – Tiny Lund
• 1967 – Mario Andretti (his only Cup Series win!)
• 1970 – Pete Hamilton
• 1990 – Derrike Cope
• 1994 – Sterling Marlin (his first two wins were both Daytona 500s!)
• 2001 – Michael Waltrip (won after 462 races without a win!)
• 2011 – Trevor Bayne (his only Cup Series win, and he was a rookie!)
• 2021 – Michael McDowell (won after 357 races without a win!)
• 2022 – Austin Cindric (won in only his eighth Cup Series start!)

Youngest and Oldest Winners

• Youngest Winner: Trevor Bayne – 2011 (20 years, 1 day old)
• Oldest Winner: Bobby Allison – 1988 (50 years, 73 days old)

See also

In Spanish: 500 Millas de Daytona para niños