What is the nickname of the Daytona 500?

The nickname of the Daytona 500 is “The Great American Race.” The NASCAR Cup Series event is held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, and is widely regarded as one of stock-car racing’s most prestigious races.

The first Daytona 500 took place in 1959, the same year Daytona International Speedway opened. The race replaced earlier long-distance events held on the Daytona Beach Road Course, where racing took place partly on the beach and partly on public roads. Since 1982, it has generally served as the season-opening race for NASCAR’s premier series.

The Daytona 500 covers 500 miles on the speedway’s 2.5-mile oval, requiring 200 laps. It is also sometimes called the “Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing,” but that phrase is a comparison rather than the race’s primary traditional nickname. A related detail fans often ask about is the Harley J. Earl Trophy, awarded to the winner since 1997.