Below is a statistical look at some of the top performers at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida going into the DAYTONA 500 on February 18 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90). The stats include both the DAYTONA 500 and the annual summer race and are among active drivers.
Daytona International Speedway Track / Event Data
Race #: 1 of 36 (February 18, 2024)
Track Size: 2.5 miles
Banking/Corners: 31 degrees
Banking/Straights: 3 degrees
Banking/Tri-Oval: 18 degrees
Total Race Length: 500 miles (200 laps)
Stage 1 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)
Stage 2 Length: 162.5 miles (65 laps)
Final Stage Length: 175 miles (70 laps)
DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Record
DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Record:
Bill Elliott, Ford Thunderbird, Melling Racing, Crew Chief: Ernie Elliott
(210.364 mph, 42.783 secs., 02-09-1987)
2023 Pole Winner:
Alex Bowman, Chevrolet Camaro, Hendrick Motorsports, Crew Chief: Blake Harris
(181.686 mph, 49.536 secs., 02-15-2023)
2022 Pole Winner:
Kyle Larson, Chevrolet Camaro, Hendrick Motorsports, Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
(181.159 mph, 49.680 secs., 02-16-2022)
DAYTONA 500 Race Record
DAYTONA 500 Race Record:
Buddy Baker, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, Ranier Racing, Crew Chief: Waddell Wilson
(177.602 mph, 02:48:55, 02-17-1980)
2023 Race Winner:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet Camaro, JTG Daugherty Racing, Crew Chief: Mike Kelley
(145.283 mph, 03:38:53, 02-19-2023)
2022 Race Winner:
Ausin Cindric, Ford Mustang, Team Penske, Crew Chief: Jeremy Bullins
(142.295 mph, 03:31:53, 02-20-2022)
2021 Race Winner:
Michael McDowell, Ford Mustang, Front Row Motorsports, Crew Chief: Luke Lambert
(144.416 mph, 03:27:44, 02-14-2021)
DAYTONA 500 — Additional Stats & Tidbits
The 2024 edition will be the 66th running of the DAYTONA 500 (1959-2024).Daytona International Speedway – a 2.5-mile superspeedway that was built in Daytona Beach, Florida in 1959 by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.Daytona International Speedway is widely known as the “World Center of Racing”.Although the first DAYTONA 500 was held in 1959, it has been the season-opener only since 1982.Driver Bob Welborn won the first NASCAR Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway, a qualifying race for the DAYTONA 500 on February 20, 1959. Welborn was driving the No. 49 Chevrolet owned by J. Ridgeway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty won the inaugural DAYTONA 500 on February 22, 1959, in a photo finish.Daytona International Speedway held three races in its inaugural season in 1959, and the third was held on July 4 and was won by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts driving the No. 3 Pontiac for car owner Jim Stephens.
STARTS
A total of 576 different drivers have competed in at least one DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway; 352 have competed in more than one DAYTONA 500.Driver Dave Marcis leads the NASCAR Cup Series all-time in DAYTONA 500 starts with 33 starts.Top Five All-Time in DAYTONA 500 Starts: David Marcis (33), Richard Petty (32), Terry Labonte (32), Michael Waltrip (30) and Bill Elliott, Mark Martin, Ricky Rudd (each have 29).Jimmie Johnson leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in DAYTONA 500 starts with 20 appearances heading into this season.Top Five Active in DAYTONA 500 Starts: Jimmie Johnson (20), Martin Truex Jr. (19), Denny Hamlin (18), Kyle Busch (18) and David Ragan (16).A total of 69 different drivers have made their first NASCAR Cup Series start in the DAYTONA 500.The most recent drivers to make their series debut in the DAYTONA 500 are Riley Herbst and Travis Pastrana last season.Three times the DAYTONA 500 has had four first-time drivers making their NASCAR Cup Series career debuts, in 1968, 1976 and 1983 — the most in a single DAYTONA 500.The best starting position by driver making his/her NASCAR Cup Series debut in the DAYTONA 500 is second-place also known as the outside front row, by Terry Ryan in 1976 and NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart in 1999.The best finish by a driver making his/her NASCAR Cup Series career debut in the DAYTONA 500 is a sixth-place finish by Terry Ryan in 1976. The next best was Riley Herbsts‘ 10th-place finish in last season‘s DAYTONA 500. First-Time DriversDate First-Time DriversDate First-Time DriversDate1Riley Herbst2/19/202324Scott Riggs2/15/200447Jerry Jolly2/19/19782Travis Pastrana2/19/202325Casey Mears2/16/200348Elliott Forbes-Robinson2/20/19773Noah Gragson2/20/202226Jason Leffler2/18/200149David Hobbs2/15/19764Todd Gilliland2/20/202227Scott Pruett2/20/200050Jimmy Means2/15/19765Anthony Alfredo2/14/202128Tony Stewart2/14/199951Terry Ryan2/15/19766Austin Cindric2/14/202129Johnny Benson2/18/199652Tighe Scott2/15/19767Chase Briscoe2/14/202130Davy Jones2/19/199553Bruce Jacobi2/16/19758Brennan Poole2/17/202031Steve Kinser2/19/199554Ferrel Harris2/16/19759Christopher Bell2/17/202032Robert Pressley2/20/199455Warren Tope2/16/197510Matt Tifft2/17/201933Al Unser Jr2/14/199356Dan Daughtry2/17/197411Tyler Reddick2/17/201934Robby Gordon2/17/199157Jackie Rogers2/17/197412William Byron2/18/201835Lee Raymond2/19/198958Joe Mihalic2/17/197413Daniel Suarez2/26/201736Kirk Bryant2/16/198659Earl Ross2/18/197314Matt Crafton2/22/201537Larry Pearson2/16/198660John Utsman2/18/197315Alex Bowman2/23/201438Doug Heveron2/19/198461Larry Dickson2/20/197216Michael Annett2/23/201439Clark Dwyer2/20/198362Bob Senneker2/25/196817Danica Patrick2/27/201240Dean Roper2/20/198363Charles Burnett2/25/196818Brian Keselowski2/20/201141Phil Parsons2/20/198364Dave Marcis2/25/196819Steve Wallace2/20/201142Ronnie Hopkins2/20/198365Stan Meserve2/25/196820Dario Franchitti2/17/200843Ronnie Sanders2/15/198166Jeff Hawkins2/14/196521Brent Sherman2/19/200644Gary Balough2/18/197967Billy Wade2/18/196222Brendan Gaughan2/15/200445Geoff Bodine2/18/197968Bob Said2/22/195923Kasey Kahne2/15/200446Claude Ballot-Lena2/19/197869Paul Bass2/22/1959
Average Starting Position
Alex Bowman leads all drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position in the DAYTONA 500 with a 5.429 in eight races.Alex Bowman has started on the DAYTONA 500 front row a record six consecutive times (2018-2023).
Top 10 in Average Starting Position for the DAYTONA 500 (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg. StartRacesRankActive DriversAvg. StartRaces1Alex Bowman5.42981Alex Bowman5.42982Dale Earnhardt Jr5.667182Christopher Bell9.75043Cotton Owens5.75043Chase Elliott10.00084Paul Goldsmith6.85774Bubba Wallace11.33365Bobby Isaac7.300105Joey Logano13.333156Davey Allison7.71476Harrison Burton13.50027Pete Hamilton7.75047William Byron14.00068Dale Earnhardt8.609238Jimmie Johnson14.050209Joe Weatherly9.20059Ryan Blaney14.111910Tony Stewart9.4121710Kyle Busch15.72218
POLES
A total of 44 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers all-time have won a pole for the DAYTONA 500, but only 11 drivers have won multiple DAYTONA 500 poles.Bob Welborn won the first DAYTONA 500 pole on February 20, 1959 with a speed of 140.121 mph. Welborn was driving the No. 49 Chevrolet owned by J. Ridgeway.NASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (1985-87, 2001), Cale Yarborough (1968, ‘70, ‘78, ‘84) and Buddy Baker (1969, ‘73, ‘79, ‘80) lead the NASCAR Cup Series in DAYTONA 500 poles with four each.Eight of the 44 DAYTONA 500 pole winners are active this weekend, led by Alex Bowman (2018, 2021, 2023) with three DAYTONA 500 poles.RankDAYTONA 500 Active Pole WinnersPolesSeasons1Alex Bowman32023, 2021, 20182Chase Elliott22017, 20163Jimmie Johnson22008, 20024Kyle Larson120225Ricky Stenhouse Jr120206William Byron120197Austin Dillon120148Martin Truex Jr12009A total of 11 drivers have posted multiple poles for the DAYTONA 500, and only three acive drivers accomplished the feat; Alex Bowman (three), Chase Elliott (two) and Jimmie Johnson (two) are the only active drivers with more than one DAYTONA 500 pole.Five drivers have won consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles — Fireball Roberts (1961-1963), Buddy Baker (1979-1980), Bill Elliott (1985, 1986, 1987), Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990) and Chase Elliott (2016, 2017).Chase Elliott became the youngest DAYTONA 500 pole winner at the age of 20 years, 2 months, and 17 days with his pole on February 14, 2016.Oldest DAYTONA 500 pole winner: Mark Martin (02/06/2010 – 51 years, 0 months, 28 days).Hendrick Motorsports has won 16 DAYTONA 500 poles, the series-most: Ken Schrader (1988, 1989, 1990), Jeff Gordon (1999, 2015), Jimmie Johnson (2002, 2008), Mark Martin (2010), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2011), Chase Elliott (2016, 2017), Alex Bowman (2018, 2021, 2023), William Byron (2019), Kyle Larson (2022).Hendrick Motorsports has won a record five consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles — (2015-2019). Hendrick Motorsports has also won the last three consecutive DAYTONA 500 poles — 2021-2023.The top five organizations in DAYTONA 500 poles all-time are Hendrick Motorsports (16), Richard Childress Racing (6), Ranier Racing (5), Yates Racing (5) and Wood Brothers Racing (4).This weekend seven active organizations have won a DAYTONA 500 pole.RankActive OrganizationsD500 PolesSeasons1Hendrick Motorsports162023, ’22, ’21, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16, ’15, ’11, ’10, ’08, ’02, ’99, ’90, ’89, ’882Richard Childress Racing62014, ’06, ’03, ’97, ’96, ’833Wood Brothers Racing41974, ’71, ’70, ’684RFK Racing22012, ’045JTG Daugherty Racing120206Stewart-Haas Racing120137Joe Gibbs Racing11998Seven different manufacturers have won the pole for the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 31; followed by Ford (12), Pontiac (eight), Mercury (five), Dodge (four), Oldsmobile (three), Plymouth (two).Three drivers have won the DAYTONA 500 pole in multiple manufactures: Cale Yarborough (Mercury 2, Chevrolet 1, Oldmobile 1); Buddy Baker (Dodge 2, Oldmobile 2); Bill Elliott (Ford 3, Dodge 1).
DAYTONA 500 POLE WINNERS (ALL-TIME)
Pole WinnerPole SpeedDate Pole WinnerPole SpeedDate1Bob Welborn140.1212/22/195934Sterling Marlin192.2132/16/19922Cotton Owens149.8922/14/196035Kyle Petty189.4262/14/19933Fireball Roberts155.7092/26/196136Loy Allen Jr190.1582/20/19944Fireball Roberts156.9992/18/196237Dale Jarrett193.4982/19/19955Fireball Roberts165.1832/24/196338Dale Earnhardt189.5102/18/19966Paul Goldsmith174.9102/23/196439Mike Skinner189.8132/16/19977Darel Dieringer171.1512/14/196540Bobby Labonte192.4152/15/19988Richard Petty175.1652/27/196641Jeff Gordon195.0672/14/19999Curtis Turner180.8312/26/196742Dale Jarrett191.0912/20/200010Cale Yarborough189.2222/25/196843Bill Elliott183.5652/18/200111Buddy Baker190.0292/23/196944Jimmie Johnson185.8312/17/200212Cale Yarborough194.0152/22/197045Jeff Green186.6062/16/200313A.J. Foyt182.7442/14/197146Greg Biffle188.3872/15/200414Bobby Isaac186.6322/20/197247Dale Jarrett188.3122/20/200515Buddy Baker185.6622/18/197348Jeff Burton189.1512/19/200616David Pearson185.0172/17/197449David Gilliland186.3202/18/200717Donnie Allison185.8272/16/197550Jimmie Johnson187.0752/17/200818Ramo Stott185.9432/15/197651Martin Truex Jr188.0012/15/200919Donnie Allison188.0482/20/197752Mark Martin191.1882/14/201020Cale Yarborough187.5362/19/197853Dale Earnhardt Jr186.0892/20/201121Buddy Baker196.0492/18/197954Carl Edwards194.7382/27/201222Buddy Baker194.0092/17/198055Danica Patrick196.4342/24/201323Bobby Allison194.6242/15/198156Austin Dillon196.0192/23/201424Benny Parsons196.3172/14/198257Jeff Gordon201.2932/22/201525Ricky Rudd198.8642/20/198358Chase Elliott196.3142/21/201626Cale Yarborough201.8482/19/198459Chase Elliott192.8722/19/201727Bill Elliott205.1142/17/198560Alex Bowman195.6442/11/201828Bill Elliott205.0392/16/198661William Byron194.3052/10/201929Bill Elliott210.3642/15/198762Ricky Stenhouse Jr.194.5822/9/202030Ken Schrader193.8232/14/198863Alex Bowman191.2612/10/202131Ken Schrader196.9962/19/198964Kyle Larson181.1592/16/202232Ken Schrader196.5152/18/199065Alex Bowman181.6862/15/202333Davey Allison195.9552/17/1991
WINS
A total of 42 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in DAYTONA 500 victories with seven (1964, 1966, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981).NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty won the inaugural DAYTONA 500 on February 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by two feet in an Oldsmobile.Seven of the 42 NASCAR Cup Series DAYTONA 500 winners are active this weekend, led by Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin leads all active drivers in DAYTONA 500 wins with three (2016, 2019, 2020).RankActive Daytona 500 WinnersWinsSeasons1Denny Hamlin32020, 2019, 20162Jimmie Johnson22013, 20063Ricky Stenhouse Jr120234Austin Cindric120225Michael McDowell120216Austin Dillon120187Joey Logano12015Team Penske‘s Austin Cindric won the 2022 DAYTONA 500, becoming the first rookie of the year candidate to win the prestigious event.Youngest DAYTONA 500 winner: Trevor Bayne (02/20/2011 – 20 years, 0 months, 1 days).Oldest DAYTONA 500 winner: Bobby Allison (02/14/1988 – 50 years, 2 months, 11 days).Nine drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series victory with a win in the DAYTONA 500 — Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994), Michael Waltrip (2001), Trevor Bayne (2011), Michael McDowell (2021) and Ausitn Cindric (2022).Three other drivers posted their career-first victory in (points-paying) qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway: Johnny Rutherford (1963), Bobby Isaac (1964) and Earl Balmer (1966).McDowell‘s 358 starts prior to his 2021 DAYTONA 500 win are the second-most in series history by a driver before their first win; behind Michael Waltrip with 463 starts before his first win in the 2001 DAYTONA 500.Lee Petty, who won the inaugural DAYTONA 500, and Trevor Bayne, 2011 DAYTONA 500 champion, are the only two drivers to win the DAYTONA 500 in their first appearance.Sterling Marlin is the only driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to record his first two victories in the DAYTONA 500 (1994, 1995).A total of 12 different drivers have won multiple DAYTONA 500s, led by Richard Petty with seven victories.The 12 Drivers With Multiple DAYTONA 500 WinsNo. of WinsDriversSeasons 7Richard Petty19641966197119731974197919814Cale Yarborough1968197719831984 3Bobby Allison1978198219883Dale Jarrett199319962000 3Jeff Gordon1997199920053Denny Hamlin20162019 2020 2Bill Elliott198519872Sterling Marlin19941995 2Michael Waltrip200120032Dale Earnhardt Jr.20042014 2Jimmie Johnson200620132Matt Kenseth20092012 Four different drivers have won back-to-back DAYTONA 500s – Richard Petty (1973-74), Cale Yarborough (1983-84), Sterling Marlin (1994-95) and Denny Hamlin (2019-20).In total 23 different starting positions on the grid have led to victories in the DAYTONA 500.The DAYTONA 500 has been won from the pole or first starting position nine times; a winning percentage of 13.8%.The most recent driver to win the DAYTONA 500 from the pole is NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett in 2000.SeasonDAYTONA 500 Winners From The Pole1962Fireball Roberts1966Richard Petty1968Cale Yarborough1980Buddy Baker1984Cale Yarborough1985Bill Elliott1987Bill Elliott1999Jeff Gordon2000Dale JarrettNASCAR Hall of Famers Bill Elliott (1985, 1987) and Cale Yarborough (1968, 1984) are the only two drivers to accomplish the feat of winning the DAYTONA 500 from the pole more than once.The pole position is the most proficient starting position in the DAYTONA 500 field, producing more winners (nine) than any other position (13.8%).A total of 16 of the 65 DAYTONA 500s (24.6%) have been won from the front row – nine from the pole or first starting position and seven from the second-place starting position.NASCAR Hall of Famer Matt Kenseth won the DAYTONA 500 from the 39th starting position in 2009, the deepest a DAYTONA 500 race winner has started.
DAYTONA 500 Wins By Starting Positions
Starting PositionWinsWin %Starting PositionWinsWin %1913.85%1323.08%2710.77%1411.54%334.62%1523.08%4710.77%1711.54%534.62%1934.62%623.08%2111.54%757.69%3111.54%834.62%3223.08%957.69%3311.54%1011.54%3411.54%1111.54%3911.54%1234.62% Additional Starting Position Stats Wins From The Pole913.85%Wins From The Front Row1624.62%Wins From The Top Five2944.62%Wins From The Top 104569.23%Wins From The Top 155483.08%Wins From Outside The Top 20710.77%Five reigning NASCAR Cup Series champions have gone on to win the DAYTONA 500 the season after winning the championship: Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty (1973), Cale Yarborough (1977), Jeff Gordon (1999) and Dale Jarrett (2000).Five DAYTONA 500 winners have won the NASCAR Cup Series championship in the same season; Richard Petty pulled it off four times; most recent was Jimmie Johnson in 2013.DriversSeasonsRichard Petty1964197119741979Jimmie Johnson20062013Lee Petty1959Cale Yarborough1977Jeff Gordon1997A driver has swept both the DAYTONA 500 and the Summer Daytona race only five times at Daytona International Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).Two drivers have won the DAYTONA 500 pole, won the Duel race they were entered in, and then went on to win the DAYTONA 500 in the same week — Cale Yarborough (1984) and Bill Elliott (1985).Five drivers have won the Busch Light Clash and the DAYTONA 500 in the same season: Bobby Allison (1982), Bill Elliott (1987), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000), Jeff Gordon (1997), Denny Hamlin (2016)A total of 19 different drivers have won both the DAYTONA 500 and Coca-Cola 600:RankWinnerDAYTONA 500sCoca-Cola 600s1Richard Petty722Bobby Allison333Dale Jarrett314Jeff Gordon335Denny Hamlin316Jimmie Johnson247Matt Kenseth218Darrell Waltrip159Austin Dillon1110Benny Parsons1111Buddy Baker1312Dale Earnhardt1313Davey Allison1114David Pearson1315Fred Lorenzen1216Kevin Harvick1217Kurt Busch1118LeeRoy Yarbrough1119Marvin Panch11Eight different drivers have won both the DAYTONA 500 and Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis:WinnersDAYTONA 500sBrickyard 400sDale Jarrett32Jeff Gordon35Bill Elliott21Jimmie Johnson24Dale Earnhardt11Jamie McMurray11Kevin Harvick12Ryan Newman11A total of 30 different car numbers have won the DAYTONA 500; below are the 10 car numbers that have produced three or more DAYTONA 500 victories:
Car Number — Drivers — (Years)
No. 43 — (seven) Richard Petty (1964, ‘66, ‘71, ‘73, ‘74, ‘79, ‘81)No. 21 — (five) Tiny Lund (1963), Cale Yarborough (1968), A.J. Foyt (1972), David Pearson (1976) and Trevor Bayne (2011)No. 28 — (five) Fred Lorenzen (1965), Buddy Baker (1980), Cale Yarborough (1983 and 1984) and Davey Allison (1992)No. 11 — (five) Mario Andretti (1967), Cale Yarborough (1977), Denny Hamlin (2016, 2019, 2020)No. 88 — (four) Bobby Allison (1982), Dale Jarrett (1996 and 2000) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2014)No. 4 — (three) Ernie Irvan (1991), Sterling Marlin (1994 and 1995)No. 15 — (three) Bobby Allison (1978), Michael Waltrip (2001 and 2003)No. 17 — (three) Darrell Waltrip (1989), Matt Kenseth (2009 and 2012)No. 24 — (three) Jeff Gordon (1997, 1999 and 2005) 22 — (three) Fireball Roberts (1962), Ward Burton (2002), Joey Logano (2015)The driver with the all-time most DAYTONA 500 starts without a victory is Dave Marcis with 33 races; Martin Truex Jr. (19) leads all active drivers with the most DAYTONA 500 starts without a win.
DAYTONA 500 WINNER STATS CHART
SeasonDAYTONA 500 WinnersStart Pos.Laps LedLaps Completed2023Ricky Stenhouse Jr.31102122022Austin Cindric5212012021Michael McDowell1712002020Denny Hamlin21792092019Denny Hamlin10302072018Austin Dillon1412072017Kurt Busch812002016Denny Hamlin11952002015Joey Logano5312032014Dale Earnhardt Jr9542002013Jimmie Johnson9172002012Matt Kenseth4502022011Trevor Bayne3262082010Jamie McMurray1322082009Matt Kenseth3971522008Ryan Newman782002007Kevin Harvick3442022006Jimmie Johnson9242032005Jeff Gordon15292032004Dale Earnhardt Jr3582002003Michael Waltrip4681092002Ward Burton1952002001Michael Waltrip19272002000Dale Jarrett1892001999Jeff Gordon1172001998Dale Earnhardt41072001997Jeff Gordon6402001996Dale Jarrett7402001995Sterling Marlin31052001994Sterling Marlin4302001993Dale Jarrett282001992Davey Allison61272001991Ernie Irvan2292001990Derrike Cope1252001989Darrell Waltrip2252001988Bobby Allison3702001987Bill Elliott11042001986Geoff Bodine21012001985Bill Elliott11362001984Cale Yarborough1892001983Cale Yarborough8232001982Bobby Allison71472001981Richard Petty8262001980Buddy Baker11432001979Richard Petty13122001978Bobby Allison33282001977Cale Yarborough41372001976David Pearson7372001975Benny Parsons3242001974Richard Petty2732001973Richard Petty7172001972A.J. Foyt21672001971Richard Petty5692001970Pete Hamilton9132001969LeeRoy Yarbrough19182001968Cale Yarborough1762001967Mario Andretti121122001966Richard Petty11081981965Fred Lorenzen4251331964Richard Petty21842001963Tiny Lund12172001962Fireball Roberts11442001961Marvin Panch4132001960Junior Johnson9672001959Lee Petty1538200In total 27 different organizations have won the DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway.Petty Enterprises leads the NASCAR Cup Series in DAYTONA 500 wins with nine. Hendrick Motorsports leads all active organizations with eight wins.RankOrganizationsDaytona 500 WinsSeasons1Petty Enterprises91981, ’79, ’74, ’73, ’71, ’70, ’66, ’64, ’592Hendrick Motorsports82014, ’13, ’06, ’05, ’99, ’97, ’89, ’863Wood Brothers Racing52011, ’76, ’72, ’68, ’634Joe Gibbs Racing42020, ’19, ’16, 935Team Penske32022, ’15, ’086Richard Childress Racing32018, ’07, ’987Dale Earnhardt Inc.32004, ’03, ’018Robert Yates Racing32000, ’96, ’929Morgan-McClure Motorsports31995, ’94, ’9110Ranier Racing31984, ’83, ’8011RFK Racing22012, ’0912Melling Racing21987, ’8513Junior Johnson & Associates21977, ’6914Holman Moody21967, ’6515JTG Daugherty Racing1202316Front Row Motorsports1202117Stewart-Haas Racing1201718Chip Ganassi Racing1201019Bill Davis Racing1200220Whitcomb Racing1199021Stavola Brothers Racing1198822DiGard Racing1198223Bud Moore Engineering1197824L.G. DeWitt1197525Jim Stephens1196226John Masoni1196027Smokey Yunick11961Nine different manufacturers have won the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 25 victories; followed by Ford (17), Dodge (four), Plymouth (four), Buick (three), Mercury (three), Oldsmobile (three), Pontiac (three) and Toyota (three).Drivers who have won the DAYTONA 500 in more than one car manufacturer:
Driver — Manufacturer (Number of wins in that manufacturer)
Richard Petty — Plymouth (3), Dodge (2), Oldsmobile (1) and Buick (1)Cale Yarborough — Chevrolet (2), Mercury (1) and Pontiac (1)Bobby Allison — Buick (2) and Ford (1)Dale Jarrett — Ford (2) and Chevrolet (1)The most consecutive DAYTONA 500 wins by a manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series is five by Chevrolet from 2003-2007.
ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS: DAYTONA 500
Runner-Up Finishes:
A total of 42 different drivers have finished runner-up in the DAYTONA 500, and only 13 drivers have finished runner-up multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in DAYTONA 500 runner-up finishes with five second-place finishes (1984, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999).Top five in runner-up finishes in the DAYTONA 500 (all-time): Dale Earnhardt (five), Cale Yarborough (four), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (four), Bobby Allison (three), Kurt Busch (three), Terry Labonte (three).Bubba Wallace (2018, 2022), and Ryan Blaney (2017, 2020) lead all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in runner-up finishes in the DAYTONA 500 with two each.A total of 10 different manufacturers have finished runner-up in the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 20 second-place finishes; Ford has the second-most with 19 and Toyota has the fifth-most with four.
Top-Five Finishes:
In total 120 different drivers have posted at least one top-five finish in the DAYTONA 500, and 69 drviers have finished in the top-five multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt leads the series in DAYTONA 500 top-five finishes with 12 in 23 starts.Top five in top-five finishes in the DAYTONA 500 (all-time): Dale Earnhardt (12), Richard Petty (11), Cale Yarborough (10), Bill Elliott (9), Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, Buddy Baker, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick (each have eight).Denny Hamlin lead all active drivers in DAYTONA 500 top-five finishes with eight.A total of 10 different manufacturers have finished in the top-five in the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 104 top-five finishes; Ford has the second-most with 99 and Toyota has the fifth-most with 20.
Top-10 Finishes:
In total 196 different drivers have posted at least one top-10 finish in the DAYTONA 500, and 120 drivers have finished in the top-10 in the DAYTONA 500 multiple times.NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty lead the series in top-10 finishes in the DAYTONA 500 with 16 top 10s each.Top five in top-10 finishes in the DAYTONA 500 (all-time): Dale Earnhardt (16), Richard Petty (16), Cale Yarborough (14), Bill Elliott (14), Buddy Baker (12), Mark Martin (12), Terry Labonte (12).Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson lead all active drivers in DAYTONA 500 top-10 finishes with eight each.A total of 11 different manufacturers have finished in the top-10 in the DAYTONA 500, led by Chevrolet with 217 top-10 finishes; Ford has the second-most with 194 and Toyota has the sixth-most with 29.
Average Finish:
Lee Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing positon with a 2.5 in two DAYTONA 500 appearances.Austin Cindric has the best average finish among active drivers (13.0) with more than one start; he has made three appearances in the DAYTONA 500.
Top 10 in Average Finishing Position for the DAYTONA 500 (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversAvg FinishRacesRankActive DriversAvg FinishRaces1Lee Petty2.50021Austin Cindric13.00032Fred Lorenzen6.88992Denny Hamlin13.611183Richard Brickhouse9.00023Joey Logano13.800154Ned Jarrett9.14374Austin Dillon15.636115Darel Dieringer9.42975Bubba Wallace15.66766Andy Hampton9.50026Ryan Blaney15.77897Jody Ridley9.66767Michael McDowell16.417148Vic Elford10.50028AJ Allmendinger16.600129Dale Earnhardt11.000239Ross Chastain18.200510Jim Reed11.000310Corey Lajoie18.4297
FEMALE COMPETITORS
Danica Patrick on Sunday, February 19, 2013 became the first female in NASCAR Cup Series history to win a pole for the DAYTONA 500 posting a speed of 196.434 mph — to this day the only pole in the series by a female competitor.Janet Guthrie previously held the record for top starting position by a female NASCAR premier series driver, starting ninth twice in 1977 – at Talladega Superspeedway on Aug. 7, 1977 and at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 28, 1977.In 2012, Danica Patrick became the third female driver to compete in a DAYTONA 500 joining Janet Guthrie and Shawna Robinson. Below are the previous female driver performances in the DAYTONA 500.RaceSeasonDriver StartFinishDAYTONA 5001977Janet Guthrie3912DAYTONA 5001980Janet Guthrie1811DAYTONA 5002002Shawna Robinson3624DAYTONA 5002012Danica Patrick2938DAYTONA 5002013Danica Patrick18DAYTONA 5002014Danica Patrick2740DAYTONA 5002015Danica Patrick2021DAYTONA 5002016Danica Patrick1635DAYTONA 5002017Danica Patrick1233DAYTONA 5002018Danica Patrick2835In 2013, Danica Patrick became the first female driver in a DAYTONA 500 to lead laps. She led five laps in the 2013 DAYTONA 500 and two laps in the 2014 DAYTONA 500 for a career total of seven laps led in the Great American Race.Danica Patrick also holds the record for most DAYTONA 500 starts for a female competitor with seven and best finish by a female competitor in the prestigious event, with her eighth-place result in 2013.
LAP LEADERS
In total 175 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have led at least one lap in the DAYTONA 500.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led in the DAYTONA 500 with 780 laps led in 32 starts — 16.0% of his total laps run in the DAYTONA 500 (4,860). Dale Earnhardt has led the second-most laps in the DAYTONA 500 with 686 in 23 starts (16.4% of his laps completed).Denny Hamlin leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in laps led in the DAYTONA 500 with 480 laps led in 18 starts — and he is ranked fifth on the all-time lap leaders list of the race.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty has led the most laps in a single DAYTONA 500; leading 184 laps in the 1964 DAYTONA 500 and won the event. Petty started from the outside front row (second position).Among active drivers, Ryan Blaney has led the most laps in a single DAYTONA 500, when he led 118 laps in the 2018 DAYTONA 500 and finished seventh. Blaney started from the third position.Michael McDowell (2021), Kurt Busch (2017) and Austin Dillon (2018) have led the fewest laps in the DAYTONA 500 and won — all three led just the final lap on their way to winning the prestigious event.
Top 10 Lap Leaders in the DAYTONA 500 (All-Time & Active)
RankAll-Time DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Richard Petty327804,86016%2Dale Earnhardt236864,17916%3Buddy Baker286433,75817%4Cale Yarborough265533,69715%5Denny Hamlin184803,47314%6Bobby Allison25433377411%7Jeff Gordon233924,10510%8Fireball Roberts636568953%9Bill Elliott2934753926%10A.J. Foyt2833436159%RankActive DriversRacesLedCompleted% Led1Denny Hamlin184803,47314%2Kyle Busch18330335010%3Brad Keselowski1417725337%4Ryan Blaney9174160811%5Joey Logano1511329214%6Ricky Stenhouse Jr127723523%7Martin Truex Jr197435722%8Chase Elliott87213895%9Christopher Bell4527687%10William Byron6459145%
TRACK / EVENT STATS
Denny Hamlin‘s010-second margin of victory over Martin Truex Jr. in the 2016 DAYTONA 500 is the closest DAYTONA 500 finish and tied with Atlanta (3/12/2000) and Phoenix (3/13/2016) as the sixth closest MOV since the advent of electronic scoring in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1993.Kevin Harvick‘s020-second margin of victory over Mark Martin in the 2007 DAYTONA 500 is the second closest in DAYTONA 500 history and 11th-closest overall in the series since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993.Austin Cindric‘s036-second margin of victory over Bubba Wallace in the 2022 DAYTONA 500 is the third closest DAYTONA 500 history, and the 16th-closest overall in the series since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993.
Top Five Closest Margins of Victory in the DAYTONA 500:
Margin of VictoryWinnerRunner-UpDate0.010Denny HamlinMartin Truex JrSunday, February 21, 20160.020Kevin HarvickMark MartinSunday, February 18, 20070.036Austin CindricBubba WallaceSunday, February 20, 20220.092Ryan NewmanKurt BuschSunday, February 17, 20080.118Trevor BayneCarl EdwardsSunday, February 20, 2011The 2011 DAYTONA 500 had the most all-time lead changes with 74; which is 14 more than the race with the second-most lead changes — the 1974 DAYTONA 500 with 60 lead changes.The 1964 DAYTONA 500 won by Richard Petty had the fewest lead changes with a mere six. Petty led 184 of the 200 scheduled laps in 1964 — the most ever in a single DAYONA 500.2011 DAYTONA 500 had the most all-time leaders with 22 — due to the rules package a ‘tandem-style drafting‘ was used by the drivers, which led to the record number of leaders.2011 DAYTONA 500 had the most all-time cautions with 16; last season‘s DAYTONA 500 had eight cautions.1968 and 2011 DAYTONA 500s had the most all-time Caution Laps with 60 laps each. Last season‘s DAYTONA 500 had 38 caution laps.The DAYTONA 500 has finished under NASCAR Overtime conditions 12 times:DateRace WinnerRunner-UpScheduledActualOvertime Sunday, February 19, 2023Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Joey Logano20021212Sunday, February 20, 2022Austin CindricBubba Wallace2002011Monday, February 17, 2020Denny HamlinRyan Blaney2002099Sunday, February 17, 2019Denny HamlinKyle Busch2002077Sunday, February 18, 2018Austin DillonBubba Wallace2002077Sunday, February 22, 2015Joey LoganoKevin Harvick2002033Monday, February 27, 2012Matt KensethDale Earnhardt Jr2002022Sunday, February 20, 2011Trevor BayneCarl Edwards2002088Sunday, February 14, 2010Jamie McMurrayDale Earnhardt Jr2002088Sunday, February 18, 2007Kevin HarvickMark Martin2002022Sunday, February 19, 2006Jimmie JohnsonCasey Mears2002033Sunday, February 20, 2005Jeff GordonKurt Busch2002033Top three longest DAYTONA 500 races due to Overtime — The longest was the 2023 DAYTONA 500 with 212 laps (530 miles) — 12 laps and 30 miles more than the scheduled distance, the second longest is the 2020 DAYTONA 500 with 209 laps (522.5 miles) — nine laps and 22.5 miles more than the scheduled distance, the third longest was the 2010 and 2011 DAYTONA 500 races — both went 208 laps/520 miles.The largest field to compete in the DAYTONA 500 was 68 cars in the 1960 race. This season 40 cars are eligible to compete for the win.
ADDITIONAL DAYONA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY INFO
Groundbreaking for Daytona International Speedway was Nov. 25, 1957. The soil underneath the banked corners was dug from the infield of the track and the hole filled with water. It is now known as Lake Lloyd.Richard Petty won his 200th career race on July 4, 1984 at Daytona International Speedway.Lights were installed in the spring of 1998. However, the July race was delayed until October that year due to thick smoke from wildfires. The second DAYTONA race has been scheduled for under the lights ever since.The track underwent a repave in 2010.2016 marked the next phase in the existence of Daytona International Speedway as the DAYTONA Rising project was completed, ushering in the first ‘motorsports stadium,‘ a 400-million-dollar project.There have been 153 NASCAR Cup Series races since the track hosted its first race in 1959: 65 have been 500 miles, 61 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona for the 1959 DAYTONA 500 Qualifier Race in a Pontiac with a speed of 140.581 mph.Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile DAYTONA 500 Qualifier Race on February 20, 1959.Fireball Roberts won the first 250-mile race at Daytona International Speedway, the Firecracker 250 on July 4, 1959Fireball Roberts also won the first 400-mile race at Daytona International Speedway, the Firecracker 400 on July 4, 1963.A total of 64 different drivers have posted poles at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series.Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles in 52 Daytona International Speedway starts — (D500 = 4; Summer Race = 8).Chase Elliott (2016, 2017, 2018) and Alex Bowman (2018, 2021, 2023) lead all active drivers with three NASCAR Cup Series poles at Daytona International Speedway each.
First Time Pole Winners & Race Winners at Daytona International Speedway
First Time Pole WinnersSeasonFirst Time Race WinnersSeasonWilliam Byron2019Austin Cindric2022Chase Elliott2016Michael McDowell2021Austin Dillon2014William Byron2020Danica Patrick2013Justin Haley2019Paul Menard2008Erik Jones2018Greg Biffle2004Aric Almirola2014Jimmie Johnson2002David Ragan2011Kevin Harvick2002Trevor Bayne2011Mike Skinner1997Greg Biffle2003Dale Jarrett1995Michael Waltrip2001Loy Allen Jr1994John Andretti1997Sterling Marlin1991Jimmy Spencer1994Greg Sacks1990Sterling Marlin1994Geoff Bodine1982Derrike Cope1990Ramo Stott1976Greg Sacks1985Charlie Glotzbach1968Pete Hamilton1970Darel Dieringer1964Mario Andretti1967Earl Balmer1966Sam McQuagg1966A.J. Foyt1964Bobby Isaac1964Johnny Rutherford1963Tiny Lund1963In total 17 different drivers have scored their first NASCAR Cup Series career pole at Daytona International Speedway.A total of four active drivers have won their first career pole at Daytona — Chase Elliott (2016), Austin Dillon (2014), Kevin Harvick (2002) and William Byron (2019).26 full-length points-paying races at Daytona have been won from the pole or first starting position; most recent Dale Earnhardt Jr. (July, 2015).A total of 70 different drivers have won at Daytona International Speedway.NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty with 10 points-paying victories at Daytona, leads the series.Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson lead all active drivers in Daytona wins with three each.A total of 23 different drivers scored their first win in the NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway. The most recent was Team Penske‘s Austin Cindric in the 2022 DAYTONA 500.Wood Brothers Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are tied for the most wins by an organization at Daytona International Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series with 15 each.
NASCAR IN FLORIDA
There have been 361 NASCAR national series points-paying races among 11 tracks held in the state of Florida.Track NameCityCupXfinityTruckCombinedFirst YearDaytona International SpeedwayDaytona Beach15364242411959DAYTONA Road CourseDaytona Beach22262020Homestead-Miami SpeedwayHomestead253027821999Daytona Beach & Road CourseDaytona Beach1000101949Five Flags SpeedwayPensacola10011953Golden Gate SpeedwayTampa10011963Palm Beach SpeedwayW. Palm Beach70071952Speedway ParkJacksonville60061951Titusville-Cocoa SpeedwayTitusville10011957Volusia County SpeedwayBarberville04041989Walt Disney World SpeedwayOrlando00221997Totals20610055361
NASCAR DRIVERS FROM FLORIDA
A total of 197 drivers in NASCAR‘s three national series have their home state recorded as Florida.There have been 12 race winners with their home state recorded as Florida in NASCAR‘s three national series; totaling 104 victories among them:Winners From FloridaCup XfinityTruckCombinedFireball Roberts330033LeeRoy Yarbrough140014Marshall Teague7007Ross Chastain42410Joe Nemechek416020Aric Almirola3429Bobby Johns2002David Reutimann2114Shorty Rollins1001Rick Wilson0202Joey Coulter0011Ben Kennedy0011Totals70259104
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