As the stars of the Sprint Cup Series prepare to take to Daytona International Speedway, we look back at some memorable moments from the track.
The birthplace of speed, and the place where the beaches became the racetrack are synonymous with some of NASCAR’s most pivotal moments. Daytona International Speedway stands not only as a 2.5-mile superspeedway, but also as a mecca for stock car racing enthusiasts who travel there twice each year.
Racing at Daytona too is something that is deeply coveted by drivers of many disciplines. There is a reason that drivers often cry and scream with excitement after qualifying for the Daytona 500, the biggest race in the stock car season. It’s the same reason why the race has drawn names from all types of racing, including legends like Unser, Foyt, Andretti, and Guthrie. It is because Daytona is the pinnacle of NASCAR, and the one track that once you conquer it, you enter an elite circle of champions.
Every track on the NASCAR circuit, from Auto Club to New Hampshire and every point in between, has a bevy of memorable moments. But those moments at Daytona take on an even greater level of importance, because of the sheer amount of history and pageantry at the world’s center of racing. That makes these five web gems from Daytona International Speedway even more special, and even more momentous for the sport and the track.
Of course, while Daytona International Speedway is known worldwide for the Daytona 500, it’s celebration on the 4th of July weekend with the Coke Zero (formerly Firecracker) 400 at Daytona is no slouch either. From wild crashes to close finishes, this race has seen it all, and we will relive five of the best moments of the summer Daytona races.
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