DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – On Sunday, thousands of fans gathered for the 68th running of the Daytona 500, widely known as “The Great American Race.”
For some in attendance, this was an experience worth waiting for.
“I’ve probably watched seven Daytona 500s on TV, and it’s the first time I actually get to go to one. So that’s pretty sick,” one fan said.
Others described the event as overwhelming in scale and energy.
“It’s my first time being at Daytona, and let me tell you, this is actually one of the biggest races I’ve ever seen in my life,” another attendee told News 6.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Fans packed the grandstands, milled around the infield and took part in pre-race traditions, including signing their names along the track’s start-finish area — a ritual that, for many, makes the moment feel official.
“It’s exhilarating to be here — to be live, especially to be on the track. It’s an amazing feeling,” one racegoer said after stepping onto the famed asphalt.
The Daytona 500, the season-opening event for the NASCAR Cup Series, is known not only for its prestige but also for its pageantry and unpredictability. Drivers navigate 500 miles doing 200 laps around the track, often at speeds exceeding 190 mph.
Sunday’s race began under clear blue skies, though officials moved up the start time due to the threat of impending storms later in the day. The adjustment did little to dampen spirits.
“Not at all. If it rains, we are just gonna wait, waiting for the storm? We’re going to dry the track up, we’re gonna start back racing,” one fan said.
For families who traveled from out of state, the trip marked more than just a sporting event.
“It’s a life-changing experience,” one attendee from Toronto said, standing beside her father.
“Well, this is my second time, and it is life-changing,” her father added. “We don’t have anything like this back at home.”
From first-time visitors to seasoned fans, many described the atmosphere as electric — a bucket-list moment brought to life by the thunder of stock cars and the shared anticipation of race day.