Daytona 500 Fast Facts
CNN Editorial Research
(CNN) — Here’s a look at the Daytona 500, the first race of the racing season for NASCAR.
February 16, 2025 – William Byron wins the 67th Annual Daytona 500. He is the first back-to-back winner of the race since Denny Hamlin in 2019-2020.
February 19, 2024 – William Byron wins the 66th Annual Daytona 500. Originally scheduled to take place on February 18, the race was delayed a day due to heavy rain.
Other Facts
“The Great American Race” is 200 laps and covers 500 miles.
February 22, 1959 – The first Daytona 500 is held and Lee Petty defeats Johnny Beauchamp.
February 18, 2001 – Seven time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt dies in a crash on the final lap of the 43rd Daytona 500.
Records
Most Victories: (7) Richard Petty (1964, 66, 71, 73, 74, 79, 81)
Most Consecutive Victories: (2) Richard Petty (1973-74); Cale Yarborough (1983-84); Sterling Marlin (1994-95); Denny Hamlin (2019-20); William Byron (2024-2025)
Fastest Winning Speed: 177.602 mph, Buddy Baker (1980)
Slowest Winning Speed: 124.740 mph, Junior Johnson (1960)
Youngest Winner: 20 years, 0 months, 1 day, Trevor Bayne (2011)
Oldest Winner: 50 years, 2 months, 11 days, Bobby Allison (1988)
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.