The Daytona 500, known as "The Great American Race," is held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Daytona 500 kicks off the NASCAR Sprint Cup season and is considered the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar. Daytona International Speedway track is 2.5 miles long. It takes 200 laps to complete the 500 miles of the Daytona 500.
The first Daytona 500 took place in 1959 and was won by Lee Petty. While Lee Petty did not win again, his son, Richard Petty won the race seven times, a Daytona 500 record. Jeff Gordon leads active drivers with three Daytona victories. Defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmy Johnson won his lone Daytona 500 in 2006. In 2001, NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt was killed in the final lap of the Daytona 500. Earnhardt won the 1998 race. Earnhardt's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won the Daytona 500 in 2004. Jamie McMurray is the defending champion of the race, having won the 2010 Daytona 500. The winner of the Daytona 500 is presented with the Harley J. Earl Trophy in Victory Lane.
Daytona 500 Track Info
Location
Daytona Beach, Florida
Distance / Track Type
2.5 Mile Tri-Oval 31-degree bank
Sprint Cup Top Race Speed
188.758 by Bill Elliott on 2/17/2000
Sprint Cup Top Qualifying Speed
191.188 by Mark Martin on 2/6/2010
Nationwide Top Race Speed
156.227 by Kevin Harvick on 2/17/2007
Nationwide Top Qualifying Speed
190.134 by Mike McLaughlin on 2/13/1998
Camping World Truck Top Race Speed
146.622 by Mark Martin on 2/17/2006
Camping World Truck Top Qualifying Speed
183.643 by Terry Cook on 2/11/2004
