Daytona 500 Info

March 7, 2008 - The Daytona 500 is known as "The Great American Race", and that's because it has been alive and well since February 22, 1959 when the first race took place at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL.

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It was initially known as the "500 Mile International Sweepstakes" and prize money for the winners of the race totaled $67,760. 59 cars and 59 drivers dared to accept the challenge and drive 200 laps around the speedway to a crowd of over 41,000 people. This was the beginning of what is considered the most prestigious race in all of NASCAR history. The Daytona 500 kicks off the NASCAR Cup series annually.

The first race ended with a bit of controversy. Johnny Beauchamp was thought to have been the winner of the 1959 race, and even went on to Victory Lane to celebrate a win (although it was posted as "unofficial"). It wasn't until the next day when newsreel footage from the race showed that Lee Petty won by a margin of only a few feet and was named the first winner of the "500 Mile International Sweepstakes".

This race is known to host a sold-out crowd year after year. The Daytona 500 has one of the biggest total payout prize money out of all the motorsport events in the United States (not just NASCAR!). In 2007, the award winnings posted more than $18 million dollars. Winner Kevin Harvick took home $1.5 million of that.

There have been a number of incredible drivers that have graced this track, including three-time winner Jeff Gordon.

March 7, 2008 - The Daytona 500 is currently celebrating 50 years of races at Daytona International Speedway. Which makes it the best time to enjoy this historical race with Daytona 500 tickets. Don't be the only one of your friends who has never seen this spectacle of speed.