Why is the daytona 500 more popular than other nascar races in different cities throughout the year?

May be...

It was basically where Nascar had its formal beginning. For the reason, it's traditionally the most important to the drivers. Plus, it's always very good, exciting racing.

The first race after three loonnnngggg months.

well it is the beginning of the racing season and it is termed "the great american race" and i was sooo happy that i was able to go to the daytona 500 this year and i the company suites and i was hanging out talking to racers like kasey khane and richard petty and aj allmendiger!!! and i got to go in the garage and pits and sitting on the track during the keith urban concert it was great (even though i have been going to daytona for like ever i just never went to the daytona 500

Because its the first race of the season.

I think it stems back to the history of that area and it's long relationship with racing. It all started with the straight line racing on the beach itself and the attempts at breaking the existing land speed record for an automobile. Once they figured out that the salt flats were better suited for that they made a circular track on the beach and stock car racing as we know it today was born. It was basically brought about by business owners in the area wanting to attract crowds of people to buy their goods and services and the race promoters wanting to make people pay to watch. In a nutshell, it's where NASCAR began and has always been an almost sacred place for racing. It wasn't always the first one of the year but it has been the biggest race since the inaugural running of the 500 at Daytona International Speedway in 1959.
4's FINE N 09!!!!

i tbegins the season, there are a select few that have wont his race and people are dying to hear the gentlemen start their engines

It starts the season. For all NASCAR junkies like me who have been in withdrawal since November, it is our fix. It is also fast and is termed the Great American Race.

It is considered the biggest race. As DW said, your career is not complete without a win in the "Great American Race." It has the richest price purse each year in NASCAR.

The Daytona 500 was first on a highbanked 2.5 mile superspeedway. Even though Darlington was in use, Daytona was the fastest in NASCAR.

About fifteen years ago, NASCAR had their four majors - The Daytona 500-the richest, The World 600-the longest, The Winston 500 (at Dega)-the fastest and the Southern 500-the oldest.

But things have changed and the Daytona 500 is still the biggest race in NASCAR.

It's the Superbowl of auto racing.

Up until the late 70s or so Riverside California was the first race of the year, fans looked forward to the warm California sunshine to start off every season. i think the France family's ownership interest might have had something to do with switching the opening race to daytona. Anyone else know for sure?
Ricky Rudd won his first race at the season opener in 1983 at Riverside, driving #3 for Richard Childress.
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