I would drive 500 miles and I would drive 500 more!! Strap yourself in for one of the highlights of the motor racing calendar and of the most anticipated annual global sporting events.
The Daytona 500 kicks off another NASCAR Cup Series season in Florida this Sunday. It’s the 66th running of “The Great American Race” and seven previous winners are lining-up in search of further glory.
Embed from Getty ImagesHistory of the Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is regarded as the most prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar, carrying by far the largest purse. The winning driver is expected to take home almost $3 million this year (approx. 10% of the overall Daytona winning fund). Whilst the viewing figures may have dipped in recent times, 10 million still watched the 2023 race.
The Daytona Beach track itself can house a 100,000 crowd. The Daytona 500 is just the beginning, though, as following NASCAR’s “Super Bowl”, there are 35 more race weekends. A champion is crowned in November in Phoenix after 9 months of high-octane action.
We’ve had many memorable motoring moments since The Daytona International Speedway first flung open its doors. Lee Petty was the inaugural winner of the event in 1959, but it would be his son Richard Petty who would go down in Daytona history.
He still tops the most wins table, having roared to victory in the illustrious race a record seven times. ‘The King’ won his first race at Daytona Beach in 1964 and would land his seventh and last, 17 years later in 1981.
Three-time winner, Denny Hamlin, will become the joint second most honoured Daytona 500 driver if he claims the crown this Sunday. The 2016, 2019 & 2020 victor starts from 8th spot, but that won’t faze him.
The Joe Gibbs Racing star was well down the grid in 21st, when winning his last Daytona. All the winners since 2018, including Hamlin, go again this year.
Embed from Getty ImagesNASCAR Hall Of Famer, Jimmie Johnson, makes the cut
Team Toyota was also celebrating Jimmie Johnson qualifying for the race. The recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee and 7-time Cup Series hero held his nerve during the ‘Duels’ to seal his place.
At 48 years of age JJ won’t be the oldest Daytona winner if he does triumph though. That honour still sits with Bobby Allison who was victorious at the age of 50 back in 1988.
At the other end of the scale, Trevor Bayne is the youngest ever Daytona 500 winner. He lifted the trophy aloft in 2011 at the ripe old age of 20 years and 1 day. That record won’t be beaten either this time around with the most inexperienced drivers in the line-up, Carson Hocevar & Ty Gibbs, both 21.
Embed from Getty Images2024 Daytona 500 Qualifying & ‘Duels’
The fastest driver during pole qualifying, Joey Logano, will start at the front of the grid on Sunday for Team Penske. The two-time NASCAR Cup series & 2015 Daytona champ won’t see winning the Busch Light Pole Award as being a huge advantage however.
The pole-sitter hasn’t claimed the race win since Dale Jarrett in 2000. Second fastest in qualifying, Michael McDowell, starts behind Logano on the grid. The two Bluegreen Vacations Duels’ winners, Tyler Reddick & Christopher Bell, claimed 3rd and 4th starting spots respectively.
Weather-permitting, coverage of the 2024 Daytona 500 is live on Viaplay Sports from 19:00 this Sunday.
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Image Credit: Deposit Photos
