gridtiming
NASCAR Oval

Daytona 500

Daytona International Speedway · Daytona Beach, Florida, USA

Track length
4.023 km
First race
1959
Editions held
68
Race distance
200 laps · 500 miles
Next edition 21 February 2027 · 69th edition

The story

Season opener on the high banks

The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500-mile stock-car race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. It opens the NASCAR Cup Series season each February. The cars race on a high-banked, 2.5-mile tri-oval, an oval whose front straight bends.

NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. built the speedway after racing on the Daytona beach became hard to continue. The first Daytona 500 was held on 22 February 1959. Lee Petty won, but officials needed three days to confirm the result after a three-wide finish.

In numbers

  • 7Wins by one driver: Richard Petty, between 1964 and 1981.
  • 177.602 mphFastest race average: Buddy Baker, 1980.
  • 210.364 mphFastest pole speed: Bill Elliott, 1987.
  • 20Youngest winner: Trevor Bayne, 2011, one day after turning 20.
  • 50Oldest winner: Bobby Allison, 1988.

The last two editions

What happened

Results are sealed, like in the app. Open them only if you have watched. The weather, the number of starters and the safety cars stay hidden too.

2026

15 February · 68th edition

Sealed

Press and hold the button. With a keyboard, hold Space or Enter.

2025

16 February · 67th edition

Sealed

Press and hold the button. With a keyboard, hold Space or Enter.

In GridTiming

How this race will look in the app

  • Every session in your timeEvery session of the weekend, with a countdown and a calendar file.
  • Results sealedNothing shows until you hold to reveal. Everything, the top 3 or one by one: you choose.
  • Rate itWas it better than last year? Your rating builds your own top races.
  • Being thereBeen there in person? Rate the view, the camping and the queues separately.
Concept phone screen with sample data: a sealed race result with a Sealed badge, three facts about the race, five empty position slots, a switch for Everything, Top 3 or One by one, and a Hold to reveal button.

Daytona 500, spoiler-free

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