The NASCAR Cup Series kicked off its highly anticipated 2024 season with the iconic Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. The race, which was originally scheduled for Sunday but postponed due to rain, saw forty drivers compete for a chance to etch their names in history.
The Daytona 500 is known for its unpredictability, with past winners Michael McDowell and Austin Cindric scoring their first career Cup Series victories in “The Great American Race.” However, the race can also be treacherous, as drivers risk getting caught up in crashes caused by the tight pack-racing.
As the race unfolded, drivers made their final fuel stops with 20 laps remaining. Most of the drivers pitted with cars from the same manufacturer. Ross Chastain and Joey Logano emerged as the leaders after the pit stops. Logano, the pole sitter, assumed the lead on Lap 163 and maintained it as the race approached its final stages.
Former teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch battled for the lead midway through the race. Hamlin, who has won three Daytona 500 races, holds the record for the most wins among active drivers. On the other hand, Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, has yet to win “The Great American Race.”
Stage 3 of the Daytona 500 began with Austin Cindric and Bubba Wallace leading two competing packs. The cars went three-wide a few laps later, with AJ Allmendinger, Martin Truex Jr., and Tyler Reddick taking over the lead of their respective packs. Ryan Blaney emerged as the winner of Stage 2 after a power move on the closing lap.
Throughout the race, Chevrolet drivers showcased their dominance, with Chase Elliott winning the opening stage. Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson finished second. The top six positions in the first segment were all occupied by Chevrolet drivers.
The Daytona 500 is not only about the race itself but also the prestigious trophy that awaits the winner. The Harley J. Earl Trophy, named after an automobile designer and the father of the Corvette, is a four-foot-tall, five-foot-wide black and silver creation adorned with the names of past winners. The winner receives a smaller replica of the trophy and their car is put on display next to it for fans to see over the next year.
The total purse for the 2024 Daytona 500 is a record-breaking $28,035,991. While NASCAR has not revealed the exact breakdown of the prize money, historically, the winner receives around 9% of the total purse. Therefore, the winner of this year’s race could expect a payday of approximately $2.5 million.
The race was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET and was broadcasted on Fox. Fans also had the option to live stream the Daytona 500 on the FoxSports website and app.
The grand marshal for this year’s Daytona 500 was none other than actor, producer, and former WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson delivered the famous command, “Drivers, start your engines,” before the race began.
In case of rain during the race, NASCAR officials would throw a yellow caution flag and bring the cars down pit road. A red flag would then be thrown, halting the race until the rain subsides. During a red flag period, teams are not allowed to work on cars or fix any damage.
As the race continued, drivers aimed to complete 200 laps around the 2.5-mile track, totaling 500 miles. The Daytona 500 is divided into three stages, with drivers earning stage points for finishing in the top 10 of each stage.
The Daytona 500 has a rich history, with legendary drivers like Richard Petty and Denny Hamlin achieving great success at the event. Petty holds the record for the most Daytona 500 wins, with seven victories. Hamlin, the favorite to win this year’s race, has won the Daytona 500 three times.
The race started with an all-Ford front row, with Joey Logano, the 2015 Daytona 500 winner, on the pole. He was joined by Michael McDowell, the defending champion. The two Daytona Duel winners, Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell, started on Row 2.
As the drivers battled for victory, fans had the opportunity to place bets on their favorite contenders. Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, and Ryan Blaney were among the top favorites to win the race.
The Daytona 500 is not only a thrilling race but also a celebration of NASCAR’s rich history and tradition. As the drivers raced towards the checkered flag, they aimed to etch their names alongside the legends who have triumphed at “The Great American Race.”
