Daytona 500
 | |
| Venue | Daytona International Speedway |
| Corporate Sponsor | None |
| First Race | 1959 |
| Distance | 500 miles (805 km) |
| Number of Laps | 200 |
The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile, NASCAR race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. In stock car racing, it is the most important race of the year. Not only is Daytona NASCAR's biggest race, it is also the circuit's first race of the year; this phenomenon is virtually unique in sports. Since 1995, television ratings for the Daytona 500 have been the highest for any auto race of the year, surpassing the traditional leader, the Indy 500.
The race is the direct successor of a race that was held on Daytona Beach itself; however, the Daytona 500 proper has been held at the Daytona International Speedway since its inaugural run.
Lee Petty, founder of a famous racing family whose most renowned member was his son Richard, won the first Daytona 500 on February 22, 1959. Richard won the race a record seven times.
| Preceded by: Gatorade 125 | Current NASCAR Races | Followed by: Subway 400 |
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