‘The Great American Race’
The Daytona 500 is sometimes called “The Great American Race.” It is the premier event of the most popular racing series in America; a race more popular in America than the 24 Hours of Le Mans, more popular even than the Indianapolis 500. The Daytona 500 is arguably the biggest auto racing event in the world.
The winning driver has to complete 200 laps of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway, traveling at 190 miles per hour down the long straights and through the banked turns. The winner has to avoid accidents, avoid car problems, conserve tires and fuel at the right times, and seize advantages when the offer themselves up. The driver needs a great crew, to give him a few fractions of a second advantage on pit stops, and a wise team leader, who can adapt strategy to changing track and race conditions.
2009 marked the 51st running of the Daytona 500. Despite the recession and the auto makers’ grim financial straits, the Daytona Speedway still managed to sell every seat in the grandstands. Nothing can stop NASCAR, it seems.
This year, some of the front-runners were starting from the back of the pack in back-up cars. Two-time series champion Tony Stewart rammed teammate and defending Daytona champion Ryan Newman during practice, totaling both cars.
The youngest driver ever, 18-year-old Joey Logano was making his first Daytona 500 start in the Home Depot Chevrolet.
