It's Coming! The 2026 Daytona 500

Freedom starts here. With speed. The audience and the race car drivers were on two sides of the same coin. One half basked in the electric environment, eager to share in a small portion of the thrills that came simply by partaking in the event. The other half, those few who at this point in life found themselves neck-high in the thrill and the risk of it all, were the drivers themselves. Anticipation for the start of the race thrummed across the stadium, leaving none immune to the excitement that threatened to burst like a towering supercell.

Daytona 500 Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony was impressive. The colors, the sounds and the beautiful smell of fuel enveloped spectators and teams alike.

This Great American Race

The 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes, now known as the 1959 Inaugural Daytona 500 was held at the Daytona International Speedway. The raceway has changed a bit over the decades. Not so the fans. They come geared up to celebrate.

Average Daytona 500 racing speed 143.187 in 2017

In 2023 the Daytona 500 actually saw over 175,000 plus attendees achieving a "Sold Out" event. Go NASCAR!

8-12 second average Pit Stop....no problem!

Speed is not just essential on the track, since the average pit stop (keep me in the race) runs between 8-12 seconds requiring the driver to slow down from 190+ mph to around 55 mph just to enter the pit. Not to worry, there's a 5 mph buffer.

Officials determine if 13 Geico is still race worthy. Yup!

Car 13 reshaped by an accident later in the race hits the pit as officials inspect and determine the safety of his car. Cracked engine block or failed head gasket could mean immediate engine failure. Ty Dillon carries on despite these challenges and manages 27th place with 198 out of 200 laps under his helmet.

Awaiting the final lap Daytona 500 winner

All anticipation as the final approaches...You can see the cars racing on the big screen on the far side of the 2.5 mi (4.023 km) long racetrack.

Kurt Busch Wins No. 41 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing

After a performance of donuts on the greens of Daytona International Raceway, Kurt exits his car to begin celebrating with the fastest team members who reached him before the crowd. Interesting to note, his Ford Fusion engine expired due to low fuel just after he completed his grass spin to celebrate his win.

To the victor go the spoils!

The engines roared to life, rattling bones, jumpstarting the unwary and igniting an archaic passion among long-time fans. The race had begun, the beasts let loose from their cages and the crowd issuing a cry as potent as the screaming engines that had threatened to shake them off their seats only moments before. Audience and motorist alike were one, yet two. Risk and endurance mingled with admiration from the stands, and in this, both were united. Both felt the need for speed. This was where freedom began.