Everything You Need to Know About the Daytona 500

Emily Vaughn | February 27, 2023

So you're ready to experience the most prestigious race in NASCAR? Lucky for you, we're breaking down everything you need to know before the race to the finish line, so you can make your experience at the Daytona 500 a great one!

History of the Daytona 500

The Nascar Daytona 500 began with Bill France Sr.'s dream of continuing to race cars on the beach. This lead to a contract between France Sr. and the City of Daytona Beach and Volusia County officials signed on August 16th, 1954, to allow France Sr. to construct what is now known as the Daytona International Speedway. The first race in the speedway didn't occur, however, until February 22nd, 1959, has happened annually ever since.

Who won the Daytona 500?

Previous Daytona 500 Winners include Austin Cindric, Michael McDowell, Denny Hamlin (in both 2019 & 2020), and Austin Dillon. We're anxious to see what Daytona 500 qualifying drivers have what it takes to win it all this year.

When is the Daytona 500 in 2023? How does the Daytona 500 fit in with Nascar’s schedule?

The 2023 Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 19th, and will kickstart the NASCAR Cup Series as the season opener. This historic NASCAR race will be on a 2.5 mile long enclosed race track, totalling 200 laps to get to the famed 500 in the name of the event. The Daytona 500 start time is set at 2:30 p.m. EST, so whether you watch at the Speedway, or locally to where you reside, you'll want to be sure to be prepared to tune in.

What channel is the Daytona 500 on?

If you decide to watch locally, there are a few different options available to tune into the Daytona 500. Not all live TV streaming services may provide access to the Daytona 500 via FOX, DIRECTV, Hulu, fuboTV, and Youtube TV are amongst those that do offer access. The Daytona 500 date 2023 is February 19, so be sure to check schedules and listings for that date.

How long is the Daytona 500?

The Daytona 500 lasts about three hours.

How do Nascar and Daytona 500 points work?

It should be noted that for the Daytona 500, it is broken down into three stages that might impact how it's aired via live TV. Each stage not only has championship implications, but impacts the scoring of the drivers.

According to ESPN, the race winner following the final stage receives 40 points, second-place 35, third-place 34, fourth-place 33; and so on (a 35-to-2 scale). Those finishing 36th to 40th will be awarded one point. There are no bonus points for leading a lap or leading the most laps. On top of that, the top-10 finishers of the first two stages awarded additional championship points, awarding points 10-to-1 to the top-10 drivers at the end of each of the first two segments. Championship points following the first two stages will be awarded on a descending scale, with the stage winner receiving 10 points, second receiving 9 points, and so on.

If you're interested in seeing the Daytona 500 live, you may find yourself with downtime if you plan to arrive well before and leave well after the event is done. Should you stay a few days, there are plenty of places to see and things to do while you're in the area. Daytona Beach does proffer its own airport, with Delta and American Airlines flying in and out of the airport.

Daytona Beach

Aside from one of the main draws being the Daytona 500, for those who also love the beach, you'll find it just a few miles away. It may be a bit chillier while the Daytona 500 happens, but if you run cold and come prepared with a jacket or sweater, you can enjoy a nice walk on the beach.

Museums

For those that also enjoy art and history, there are several museums throughout the Daytona Beach area, such as the Museum of Arts & Sciences, Holly Hill History Museum, and plus the Halifax Historical Museum. Hours of operation vary between museums, so make sure to check the websites for each.

Golf (Daytona Beach Golf Club)

If you happen to enjoy swinging golf clubs in your downtime, the Daytona Beach Golf Club is less than five miles away by car, and offers two eighteen hole courses. A bit further out, but still only approximately eight miles away is the Crane Lakes Golf & Country Club, with just one eighteen hole course.

Restaurants

There are plenty of chain restaurants near Daytona International Speedway, including but not limited to: Bahama Breeze, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Tijuana Flats, and Applebee's. However, if you're seeking more local cuisine, Daytona Beach is probably best known for it's seafood (being a seaside town), so check local places like Bay Street Seafood, Caribbean Jack's, and Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Club.

Cassadaga

A more historical trip best suited for the days preceding or after the event is to the town of Cassadaga. Further inland, closer to the towns of Orange City and DeLand, Cassadaga has been around since the 1870's, and is great for those more interested in touring a small town and nature.