2001 was definitely one of the worst years for NASCAR as well as the world. But what’s interesting to note is that it was the only year when NASCAR ran a race on a Thanksgiving weekend. Well, currently it is Thanksgiving week, so why not dive deeper into this exceptional event? Like always, the Cup Series season in [https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2022/11/23/on-this-day-in-2001-nascar-ran-its-first-and-only-thanksgiving-weekend-race-after-postponing-new-hampshire-race-due-to-9-11/] 2001 started in early February with a schedule of around 36 series races in 40 weeks. Moreover, Thanksgiving, which has traditionally been an off-day for the drivers, was meant to be a holiday as per the 2001 schedule. However, due to the unforeseen and terribly unfortunate 9/11 terrorist attacks, NASCAR suspended its New Hampshire race. Originally scheduled for September 16, 2001, the governing body had to now find the next open date for the race. And it was not going to be easy. Because first of all, there were no off weekends between the original date and the decided wrapping date of the season. Furthermore, the probability of snow and frigid weather was hanging over the event. So, to be extra sure, NASCAR announced that they would be running the final race on Black Friday. This was because if the weather interrupted the plans, at least the sanctioning body could have the option of pushing it back to the coming Saturday or Sunday. READ MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals One Quality of His Father Which He Regrets Not Picking Up [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-earnhardt-jr-reveals-one-quality-of-his-father-which-he-regrets-not-picking-up/] However, the weather agreed with the sport on the day of the race. And as a result, for the first and probably the only time, NASCAR ran a race on a Thanksgiving weekend. WHY WAS 2001 PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR NASCAR? The Daytona 500 race is always one of the most hyped and sought-after events in NASCAR. Moreover, the Daytona 500 in 2001 was particularly special as it was going [https://www.espn.in/racing/nascar/story/_/id/30867892/dale-earnhardt-death-daytona-500-revisiting-day-crash] to be the first race broadcasted after the sport signed its new deal with Fox Sports. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/dale-earnhardt-february-2001.jpg] However, a fateful incident during the race changed the course of NASCAR history forever. During the final laps of the 2001 Daytona 500 race, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt collided with fellow racers Sterling Marlin and Ken Schrader. WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Fans Deliver Their Verdict on Kyle Busch-Dale Earnhardt Comparisons [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nascar-news-nascar-fans-deliver-their-verdict-on-kyle-busch-dale-earnhardt-comparisons/] As a result, Earnhardt crashed into the retaining wall of the track. The impact of this crash was so powerful that Earnhardt suffered a basilar skull fracture. Unable to sustain the injury, Earnhardt died instantly, leaving behind a swarm of fans and loved ones on that fateful day at Daytona. 

The greatest American tragedy ever, 9/11 terrorist attacks forced NASCAR to make
this unprecedented change during the darkest year.

Devyani Sharma is a NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports. Having completed her
postgrad in English Literature, she has worked as a content writer for a while
now. With over three years of experience in the field and hundreds of articles
published on the web, Devyani has now associated with EssentiallySports to start
her journey in the world of sports journalism. While being passionate about
writing, she is also a budding fan of NASCAR. Out of all, her favorite team is
Hendrick Motorsports, and not only is this because of the team's rich legacy
over the years, but also because of their robust driver lineup. When she is not
cheering on the 14-time Cup Series Champions, she loves to read fiction novels
and watch sci-fi movies. Taking into account her love and prowess for
literature, she also dreams of publishing her own 'bestseller' someday.

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The Biggest American Tragedy, 9/11 Forced NASCAR to Make an Unprecedented Change
in This Manner

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$70 Billion Worth Sponsor Loss?

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of Tony Stewart’s SHR Replay

NASCAR Rumor: Handed $25,000 Fine, Xfinity Star Could Replace Chevy’s Rejected
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Aggrieved Fans Deem NASCAR’s MPD Awards “Pretty Much a Joke” Amid Piling Reports
of Masked Chase Elliott Favoritism

“No Way in Hell”: Tony Stewart Discloses a Major Roadblock After His Baby Boy’s
Birth

<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial "birthplace of speed", Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/nascar-cup-series/">NASCAR Cup Series</a> schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races.

[caption id="attachment_1627382" align="alignnone" width="1"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-1627382" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1024835900h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1" height="1" /> Daytona International Speedway plays host to the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series for the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, FL, USA. Daytona Beach United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20230219_zaf_c04_386 Copyright: xWalterxGxArcexSrxActionxSportsxPx[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Origins of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
While many stories about the origin of Daytona races date back to 1903 when two men challenged each other to a race to decide whose horseless carriage was the fastest, the sturdy stock car race at the iconic location came into being in 1959, courtesy of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. And on February 22, in front of 41,000 people, the revered race planted its seed to mega-stardom. The inaugural race was the only instance when both hard top and convertible vehicles were allowed to race. Since then, the Daytona 500 has been much-awaited by stock car racing fans every year.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-2632995 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/DoBedrfXoAAjZ5P-1.jpeg" alt="" width="3000" height="2400" />

And while the Daytona Beach, Florida location is already iconic, the track that hosts the Daytona 500 race is just as well-thought out and executed. Wanting to give fans an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Bill Frances Sr brainstormed alongside engineers to create a track that would have the highest banking, allowing cars to reach topmost speed. And soon the prospect presented itself in the form of a tri-oval with 31 degrees banking at turns and 18 degrees at the start/finish lines. With 2.5 mile in length, today, the race lasts 500 miles/200 laps.

The first-ever Daytona 500, called the <b>1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona</b> back then, saw 59 cars competing.Â The winning purse of the inaugural race had a steep value of $53, 050, out of which Lee Petty took home $19,050 for his victory while the runner-up Beauchamp secured $7,650.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>Why is the Daytona 500 called â€˜The Great American Raceâ€™</strong></span></h2>
As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR's crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven't been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl.

The Daytona 500 has also been synonymous with the President's Day weekend in every NASCAR fan's heart. From 1968 to 2011, the race was held on President's Day weekend every year. However, NASCAR decided to change that in 2012 with news of an NFL schedule revamp doing the rounds. As per reports, NFL was planning to expand its 18-game regular season and as per the new roster, the Super Bowl was to be held on the same day as the Daytona 500. Sensing a dent on viewership numbers, the stock car racing organization move the race. However, as the NFL season-expansion plans failed to reach fruition, the Daytona 500 was moved to its original calendar spot. Now, that's definitely a win-win!

While the winning purse of the Daytona 500 is already a stuff of legends, sitting atop with the largest return, the trophy being awarded to the victors isn't any less prized either. Called the Harley J Earl trophy, the prize has been named after legendary automobile designer, Harley Earl, who was also a close friend of Bill France Sr and a General Motors executive back in the day. Earl is most significantly known for being the Father of the Corvette. He has also been credited for designing the Firebird I prototype. The Daytona 500 race is full of prestige and perks for sure.

One other aspect that the race victor gets to experience is their car being showcased at the Daytona 500 experience, for one year in its race-winning condition. For the uninitiated, the Daytona 500 Experience is a museum and gallery situated next to the Daytona International Speedway.

[caption id="attachment_1948603" align="alignnone" width="1800"]<img class="wp-image-1948603 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0004296892h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1800" height="1200" /> Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme - (ZUMAse4)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Highlights of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty's father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-2491357 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/lee-petty.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1262" />

&nbsp;

Lee Petty's son isn't much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/richard-petty/">Richard Petty</a> sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981.

While the initial years of the Daytona 500 didn't see much vehicle policing, it soon became apparent that certain rules and restrictions would have to be put in place. One of the biggest instances of a change came in 1988 when former stock car racing driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison's car went airborne and hit the catch fence at 200 mph at Talladega in May, the previous year. As a result, restrictor plates were made mandatory in hopes that they would stunt speed, which in turn would stop vehicles from going airborne.

Speaking of Bobby Allison, he also became the oldest driver to win the race at 50 years, 2 months and 11 days, in 1988. On the other hand, Trevor Bayne is the youngest Daytona 500 winner. Bayne was 20 years and 1 day old when he won the event in 2011.

Another revamp that hit NASCAR and the Daytona 500 was during the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 race, when 'Cars of Tomorrow' debuted for the first time in the stock car racing circuit. While the name might throw some people off, 'Cars of Tomorrow' simply entailed that the same roll cage, frame and body would be used in all kinds of race tracks as opposed to how crew members would need to build different cars for different tracks like superspeedways, road courses and short tracks.

The Daytona 500, being such a grand event, has often been associated with high-profile names. In a bid to make the event even more exciting, every year, the organizers bring in popular figures to serve as a Grand Marshal. While 'Captain America' famed Chris Evans graced the event in 2014, Nicholas cage stopped by in 2007. Even former US presidents Donald Trump and George W Busch served as the event's grand marshal in 2020 and 2004, respectively.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Â Qualifying Format of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter.

In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ <em>"the duels".Â </em>The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The Black Sunday of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 was perhaps one of <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dale-earnhardt/">Dale Earnhardt</a>'s greatest achievements. After chasing an elusive win at the track for about two decades of his career, the driver finally succeeded in finish P1 in 1998. However, just three years later, the same race would claim his life. It all happened on February 18, 2001, when the driver was competing in the final lap of the race. <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-nerve-wracking-crashes-that-changed-nascar-forever-edition-five-dale-earnhardt/">The driver slammed head-first into the retaining wall</a> after contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. The driver had suffered from a basilar skull fracture and had died instantly upon contact. Earnardt's death triggered a wave of safety improvements in stock cars and are seen even today.

[caption id="attachment_2105958" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-2105958 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1029986512h-e1699811493626.jpg" alt="Dale Earnhardt Sr" width="1920" height="1080" /> US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Unknown date Daytona Beach, FL, USA: FILE PHOTO NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr 3 waits in his car in the garage area at the Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Florida UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xUSAxTODAYxSportsx 5145564<br />Image Credits - Imago[/caption]

&nbsp;
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The changes of the name of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 has seen a plethora of name changes till date. While the first-ever edition of the race was called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona, the name was changed the very next year to the Inaugural 500 Mile International Sweepstakes. The race, then, went on to be known as the Daytona 500 by STP from 1991 to 1993. On the year of Dale Earnhardt's passing in 2001, it was known as the Daytona 500 by Dodge. In 2007, a new name was coined yet again and this time, the race was called Daytona 500 by Toyota. From 1961 to 1990, 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2006, the race was called Daytona 500 and since 2008, that's the very name that has stuck around.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Daytona 500

What is the Daytona 500? For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial &#8220;birthplace of speed&#8221;, Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races. Daytona International Speedway plays host to the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series for the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, FL, USA. Daytona Beach United States of America &#8211; ZUMAc04_ 20230219_zaf_c04_386 Copyright: xWalterxGxArcexSrxActionxSportsxPx Origins of the Daytona 500 While many stories about the origin of Daytona races date back to 1903 when two men challenged each other to a race to decide whose horseless carriage was the fastest, the sturdy stock car race at the iconic location came into being in 1959, courtesy of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. And on February 22, in front of 41,000 people, the revered race planted its seed to mega-stardom. The inaugural race was the only instance when both hard top and convertible vehicles were allowed to race. Since then, the Daytona 500 has been much-awaited by stock car racing fans every year. And while the Daytona Beach, Florida location is already iconic, the track that hosts the Daytona 500 race is just as well-thought out and executed. Wanting to give fans an edge-of-the-seat thriller, Bill Frances Sr brainstormed alongside engineers to create a track that would have the highest banking, allowing cars to reach topmost speed. And soon the prospect presented itself in the form of a tri-oval with 31 degrees banking at turns and 18 degrees at the start/finish lines. With 2.5 mile in length, today, the race lasts 500 miles/200 laps. The first-ever Daytona 500, called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona back then, saw 59 cars competing.Â The winning purse of the inaugural race had a steep value of $53, 050, out of which Lee Petty took home $19,050 for his victory while the runner-up Beauchamp secured $7,650. Why is the Daytona 500 called â€˜The Great American Raceâ€™ As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR&#8217;s crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven&#8217;t been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl. The Daytona 500 has also been synonymous with the President&#8217;s Day weekend in every NASCAR fan&#8217;s heart. From 1968 to 2011, the race was held on President&#8217;s Day weekend every year. However, NASCAR decided to change that in 2012 with news of an NFL schedule revamp doing the rounds. As per reports, NFL was planning to expand its 18-game regular season and as per the new roster, the Super Bowl was to be held on the same day as the Daytona 500. Sensing a dent on viewership numbers, the stock car racing organization move the race. However, as the NFL season-expansion plans failed to reach fruition, the Daytona 500 was moved to its original calendar spot. Now, that&#8217;s definitely a win-win! While the winning purse of the Daytona 500 is already a stuff of legends, sitting atop with the largest return, the trophy being awarded to the victors isn&#8217;t any less prized either. Called the Harley J Earl trophy, the prize has been named after legendary automobile designer, Harley Earl, who was also a close friend of Bill France Sr and a General Motors executive back in the day. Earl is most significantly known for being the Father of the Corvette. He has also been credited for designing the Firebird I prototype. The Daytona 500 race is full of prestige and perks for sure. One other aspect that the race victor gets to experience is their car being showcased at the Daytona 500 experience, for one year in its race-winning condition. For the uninitiated, the Daytona 500 Experience is a museum and gallery situated next to the Daytona International Speedway. Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme &#8211; (ZUMAse4) Highlights of the Daytona 500 The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty&#8217;s father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions. &nbsp; Lee Petty&#8217;s son isn&#8217;t much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981. While the initial years of the Daytona 500 didn&#8217;t see much vehicle policing, it soon became apparent that certain rules and restrictions would have to be put in place. One of the biggest instances of a change came in 1988 when former stock car racing driver and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison&#8217;s car went airborne and hit the catch fence at 200 mph at Talladega in May, the previous year. As a result, restrictor plates were made mandatory in hopes that they would stunt speed, which in turn would stop vehicles from going airborne. Speaking of Bobby Allison, he also became the oldest driver to win the race at 50 years, 2 months and 11 days, in 1988. On the other hand, Trevor Bayne is the youngest Daytona 500 winner. Bayne was 20 years and 1 day old when he won the event in 2011. Another revamp that hit NASCAR and the Daytona 500 was during the 50th anniversary of the Daytona 500 race, when &#8216;Cars of Tomorrow&#8217; debuted for the first time in the stock car racing circuit. While the name might throw some people off, &#8216;Cars of Tomorrow&#8217; simply entailed that the same roll cage, frame and body would be used in all kinds of race tracks as opposed to how crew members would need to build different cars for different tracks like superspeedways, road courses and short tracks. The Daytona 500, being such a grand event, has often been associated with high-profile names. In a bid to make the event even more exciting, every year, the organizers bring in popular figures to serve as a Grand Marshal. While &#8216;Captain America&#8217; famed Chris Evans graced the event in 2014, Nicholas cage stopped by in 2007. Even former US presidents Donald Trump and George W Busch served as the event&#8217;s grand marshal in 2020 and 2004, respectively. Â Qualifying Format of the Daytona 500 Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter. In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ &#8220;the duels&#8221;.Â The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels. The Black Sunday of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 was perhaps one of Dale Earnhardt&#8216;s greatest achievements. After chasing an elusive win at the track for about two decades of his career, the driver finally succeeded in finish P1 in 1998. However, just three years later, the same race would claim his life. It all happened on February 18, 2001, when the driver was competing in the final lap of the race. The driver slammed head-first into the retaining wall after contact with Ken Schrader and Sterling Marlin. The driver had suffered from a basilar skull fracture and had died instantly upon contact. Earnardt&#8217;s death triggered a wave of safety improvements in stock cars and are seen even today. US PRESSWIRE Sports-Historical Unknown date Daytona Beach, FL, USA: FILE PHOTO NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Sr 3 waits in his car in the garage area at the Daytona International Speedway. Daytona Beach Florida UNITED STATES, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xUSAxTODAYxSportsx 5145564Image Credits &#8211; Imago &nbsp; The changes of the name of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 has seen a plethora of name changes till date. While the first-ever edition of the race was called the 1959 First 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona, the name was changed the very next year to the Inaugural 500 Mile International Sweepstakes. The race, then, went on to be known as the Daytona 500 by STP from 1991 to 1993. On the year of Dale Earnhardt&#8217;s passing in 2001, it was known as the Daytona 500 by Dodge. In 2007, a new name was coined yet again and this time, the race was called Daytona 500 by Toyota. From 1961 to 1990, 1994 to 2000 and from 2002 to 2006, the race was called Daytona 500 and since 2008, that&#8217;s the very name that has stuck around. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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<h2 style="text-align: center"><b>The Daytona 500 2024</b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial "birthplace of speed", Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Why is the Daytona 500 called the Great American Race?</strong></h2>
As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR's crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven't been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl.

The race is also called the 'The Great American Race' and given the storied history of the Daytona International Speedway and its roots in racing, the moniker is surely a well-deserved one.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>When is the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
The 2024 Daytona 500 is set to be held on <strong>February 18, Sunday</strong> at<strong> 7:30pm GMT/2:30pm ET</strong>.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the format of the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ <em>"the duels".Â </em>The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels.

[caption id="attachment_1948603" align="alignnone" width="1800"]<img class="wp-image-1948603 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago0004296892h.jpg" alt="Daytona 500" width="1800" height="1200" /> Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme - (ZUMAse4)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Who are the past winners of the Daytona 500?</strong></h2>
The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty's father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions.

Lee Petty's son isn't much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981.

[caption id="attachment_859313" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-859313 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1018179224.jpg" alt="Richard Petty" width="1920" height="1280" /> BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 17: Team owner, Richard Petty, stands on pit road during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)[/caption]

Following 'The King' on the most-wins tally is Carl Yarborough with four wins in 1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984. The current vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon also won the Daytona 500 three times in 1997, 1999 and 2005. The Pied Piper of Daytona, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/dale-earnhardt-jr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dale Earnhardt Jr</a> and seven-time Cup Series Champion <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/jimmie-johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jimmie Johnson</a> won the race on two occasions in 2004 and 2014, and 2006 and 2013, respectively.

Among the current batch of drivers, the one who clinched the most victory lane visits is <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/denny-hamlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denny Hamlin</a> with three wins, two of which were back-to-back (2016, 2019 and 2020). However, many talented drivers are yet to get their hands on the elusive title that includes two-time Cup Series champions <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyle-busch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Busch</a> and <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/kyle-larson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Larson</a>.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>What is the eligibility of the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The entry list for the Daytona 500 2024?</strong></h2>
The four non-charter teams that have announced their participation in the Daytona 500 2024 are:
<ul>
 	<li><span class="LinkEnhancement">David Ragan - </span>No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing</li>
 	<li>Anthony Alfredo - No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports</li>
 	<li>Jimmie Johnson - the No. 84 Toyota Camry for Legacy Motor Club</li>
 	<li>BJ McLeod - No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports</li>
</ul>
The charter teams that will participate in the Daytona 500 2024 are:
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 53.0357%;height: 944px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px">
<h3>Owner-Manufacturer</h3>
</td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px">
<h3 style="text-align: center">Driver-Car Number</h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 144px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 144px;text-align: center"><strong>Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 144px;text-align: center">No. 5 - Kyle Larson<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 9 - Chase Elliott<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 24 - William Byron<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 48 - Alex Bowman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 96px;text-align: center"><strong>Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 96px;text-align: center">No. 11 - Denny Hamlin<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 19 - Martin Truex Jr.<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 20 - Christopher Bell<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 54 - Ty Gibbs</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 96px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 96px;text-align: center"><strong>Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 96px;text-align: center">No. 4 - Josh Berry (R)<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 10 - Noah Gragson<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 14 - Chase Briscoe<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 41 - Ryan Preece</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 72px;text-align: center"><strong>Team Penske, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 72px;text-align: center">No. 2 - Austin Cindric<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 12 - Ryan Blaney<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 22 - Joey Logano</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 3 - Austin Dillon<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 8 - Kyle Busch</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 16 - A.J. Allmendinger<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 31 - Daniel Hemric</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Legacy Motor Club, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 42 - John Hunter Nemechek<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 43 - Erik Jones</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>RFK Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 6 - Brad Keselowski<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 17 - Chris Buescher</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 1 - Ross Chastain<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 99 - Daniel Suarez</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>23XI Racing, Toyota</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 23 - Bubba Wallace<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 45 - Tyler Reddick</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 72px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 72px;text-align: center"><strong>Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 72px;text-align: center">No. 7 - Corey LaJoie<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 71 - Zane Smith<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 77 - Carson Hocevar (R)</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 56px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 56px;text-align: center"><strong>Front Row Motorsports, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 56px;text-align: center">No. 34 - Michael McDowell<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 38 - Todd Gilliland</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center"><strong>JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px;text-align: center">No. 47 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr.</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 48px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 48px;text-align: center"><strong>Rick Ware Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 48px;text-align: center">No. 15 - Riley Herbst<br role="presentation" data-uw-rm-sr="" />No. 51 - Justin Haley</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 29.2857%;height: 24px;text-align: center"><strong>Wood Brothers Racing, Ford</strong></td>
<td style="width: 23.75%;height: 24px;text-align: center">No. 21 - Harrison Burton</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>The Grand Marshall and the Pre-race show at the Daytona 500, 2024</strong></h2>
The 2024 Daytona 500 will be a star-studded affair. This year, Hollywood actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is set to perform the duties of the Grand Marshal.

As for the pre-race show, Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Pitbull will light up the stage before the iconic race commences.<em> â€œItâ€™s an honor to once again be part of the Great American Race, this time performing at the Daytona 500,â€</em> Pitbull had said after the announcement was made.

[caption id="attachment_516696" align="alignnone" width="1920"]<img class="wp-image-516696 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/20210116150513/GettyImages-1211216417.jpg" alt="Pitbull prior to the NASCAR Daytona 500" width="1920" height="1280" /> AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 08: Rapper Pitbull performs prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)[/caption]
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Tickets for the Daytona 500 2024</strong></h2>
For the first time in recent history, the tickets for the Daytona 500 race have been sold out. However, fans can still get a chance to witness the coveted race in person by buying reserved grandstands seats at the event's official ticketing partner, seatgeek.com. People looking for budget-friendly options have various alternatives, with the lowest being Â $139 each for 1-4 tickets. For premium VIP packages, ticket prices range from $506 to $706 for 1-6 tickets. An important point to note is that the VIP packages will be inclusive of $25 food/beverage credit included with each ticket, FanZone passes featuring pre-race access to the track, and one Daytona 500 gift bundle per ticket holder.
<h2 style="text-align: center"><strong>Broadcasting of the Daytona 500</strong></h2>
The Daytona 500 race will be broadcast live on Fox and the FOX Sports App. Users who do not have a cable connection can also watch the race on live streaming platforms that include FOX, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+, fuboTV and Sling TV.

The Daytona 500 2024 What is the Daytona 500? For any NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 race holds a special place in their hearts. The most prestigious race in the Cup Series, a win at the revered race bestows limitless repute and honor to its victor. Often referred to as the unofficial &#8220;birthplace of speed&#8221;, Daytona Beach, where the race has been held for over six decades, has a long and storied history. Currently, it features on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule as one of the four crown-jewel races and also features the highest winning prize among all Cup races. Why is the Daytona 500 called the Great American Race? As one of the most iconic spectator sports events in America, the Daytona 500 definitely takes the cake when it comes to being NASCAR&#8217;s crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me. Throughout history, the event has often been compared to the Super-Bowl, the crown jewel of the NFL. However, many NASCAR enthusiasts haven&#8217;t been too keen about that description and have placed the crown-jewel race way above the Super Bowl. The race is also called the &#8216;The Great American Race&#8217; and given the storied history of the Daytona International Speedway and its roots in racing, the moniker is surely a well-deserved one. When is the Daytona 500 2024? The 2024 Daytona 500 is set to be held on February 18, Sunday at 7:30pm GMT/2:30pm ET. What is the format of the Daytona 500? In its 65 year history, the Daytona 500 has had many revamps to its qualifying format. From two timed laps, the better of two laps, to the average of two laps, the crown jewel race has explored several avenues to decide its starting grid. However, what stuck and is currently in place is a two-race qualifying. The first race is a single-car qualifying where each driver takes up one lap. The Top 10 drivers from that round advance to the second round where their order in the main event starting grid is determined. The single-car runs decide the front row of the Daytona 500. They also decide the lineup for the qualifying races also referred to asÂ &#8220;the duels&#8221;.Â The starting grid is eventually decided on the basis of the duels. Teilnehmerfeld der Daytona 500, v.li.: Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Clint Bowyer, Carl Edwards, Brian Vickers und David Stremme &#8211; (ZUMAse4) Who are the past winners of the Daytona 500? The inaugural Daytona 500 race in 1959 was won by Richard Petty&#8217;s father, the legendary Lee Petty. The patriarch of the NASCAR royalty family clinched victory driving a 1959 Oldsmobile for Newton Chappell at the inaugural event outperforming Johnny Beauchamp. Charley Griffith, representing Red Bank, finished P3, while Cotton Owens and Joe Weatherly wrapped up the Top-5 positions. Lee Petty&#8217;s son isn&#8217;t much far behind on the Daytona 500 record book either. With seven wins, Richard Petty sits atop the most-wins list at the venue. What makes his feat even more legendary is the fact that Petty managed to clinch four of those titles in a single decade, in 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1979. The rest of his victories came in 1964, 1966 and 1981. BRISTOL, TN &#8211; AUGUST 17: Team owner, Richard Petty, stands on pit road during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 17, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Following &#8216;The King&#8217; on the most-wins tally is Carl Yarborough with four wins in 1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984. The current vice-chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon also won the Daytona 500 three times in 1997, 1999 and 2005. The Pied Piper of Daytona, Dale Earnhardt Jr and seven-time Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson won the race on two occasions in 2004 and 2014, and 2006 and 2013, respectively. Among the current batch of drivers, the one who clinched the most victory lane visits is Denny Hamlin with three wins, two of which were back-to-back (2016, 2019 and 2020). However, many talented drivers are yet to get their hands on the elusive title that includes two-time Cup Series champions Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson. What is the eligibility of the Daytona 500 2024? Currently, the Daytona 500 sees 40 cars competing, out of which 36 sports belong to drivers whose teams have their own charters. The rest of the 4 spots, which are referred to as open cars and constitute teams that do not own a charter. The entry list for the Daytona 500 2024? The four non-charter teams that have announced their participation in the Daytona 500 2024 are: David Ragan &#8211; No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing Anthony Alfredo &#8211; No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro for Beard Motorsports Jimmie Johnson &#8211; the No. 84 Toyota Camry for Legacy Motor Club BJ McLeod &#8211; No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro for Live Fast Motorsports The charter teams that will participate in the Daytona 500 2024 are:   Owner-Manufacturer  Driver-Car Number  Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet No. 5 &#8211; Kyle LarsonNo. 9 &#8211; Chase ElliottNo. 24 &#8211; William ByronNo. 48 &#8211; Alex Bowman  Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota No. 11 &#8211; Denny HamlinNo. 19 &#8211; Martin Truex Jr.No. 20 &#8211; Christopher BellNo. 54 &#8211; Ty Gibbs  Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford No. 4 &#8211; Josh Berry (R)No. 10 &#8211; Noah GragsonNo. 14 &#8211; Chase BriscoeNo. 41 &#8211; Ryan Preece  Team Penske, Ford No. 2 &#8211; Austin CindricNo. 12 &#8211; Ryan BlaneyNo. 22 &#8211; Joey Logano  Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet No. 3 &#8211; Austin DillonNo. 8 &#8211; Kyle Busch  Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet No. 16 &#8211; A.J. AllmendingerNo. 31 &#8211; Daniel Hemric  Legacy Motor Club, Toyota No. 42 &#8211; John Hunter NemechekNo. 43 &#8211; Erik Jones  RFK Racing, Ford No. 6 &#8211; Brad KeselowskiNo. 17 &#8211; Chris Buescher  Trackhouse Racing Team, Chevrolet No. 1 &#8211; Ross ChastainNo. 99 &#8211; Daniel Suarez  23XI Racing, Toyota No. 23 &#8211; Bubba WallaceNo. 45 &#8211; Tyler Reddick  Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet No. 7 &#8211; Corey LaJoieNo. 71 &#8211; Zane SmithNo. 77 &#8211; Carson Hocevar (R)  Front Row Motorsports, Ford No. 34 &#8211; Michael McDowellNo. 38 &#8211; Todd Gilliland  JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet No. 47 &#8211; Ricky Stenhouse Jr.  Rick Ware Racing, Ford No. 15 &#8211; Riley HerbstNo. 51 &#8211; Justin Haley  Wood Brothers Racing, Ford No. 21 &#8211; Harrison Burton  The Grand Marshall and the Pre-race show at the Daytona 500, 2024 The 2024 Daytona 500 will be a star-studded affair. This year, Hollywood actor and professional wrestler, Dwayne &#8216;The Rock&#8217; Johnson is set to perform the duties of the Grand Marshal. As for the pre-race show, Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Pitbull will light up the stage before the iconic race commences. â€œItâ€™s an honor to once again be part of the Great American Race, this time performing at the Daytona 500,â€ Pitbull had said after the announcement was made. AVONDALE, ARIZONA &#8211; MARCH 08: Rapper Pitbull performs prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FanShield 500 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Tickets for the Daytona 500 2024 For the first time in recent history, the tickets for the Daytona 500 race have been sold out. However, fans can still get a chance to witness the coveted race in person by buying reserved grandstands seats at the event&#8217;s official ticketing partner, seatgeek.com. People looking for budget-friendly options have various alternatives, with the lowest being Â $139 each for 1-4 tickets. For premium VIP packages, ticket prices range from $506 to $706 for 1-6 tickets. An important point to note is that the VIP packages will be inclusive of $25 food/beverage credit included with each ticket, FanZone passes featuring pre-race access to the track, and one Daytona 500 gift bundle per ticket holder. Broadcasting of the Daytona 500 The Daytona 500 race will be broadcast live on Fox and the FOX Sports App. Users who do not have a cable connection can also watch the race on live streaming platforms that include FOX, such as YouTube TV, Hulu+, fuboTV and Sling TV.

The Biggest American Tragedy, 9/11 Forced NASCAR to Make an Unprecedented Change in This Manner

Why was 2001 particularly difficult for NASCAR?