Today's Reason to Celebrate

February 20, 2011 was

Daytona 500

Today is the Daytona 500! This 500-mile-long NASCAR race is held every year at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. The first race was held in 1959, the same year the speedway opened. Since 1982, it’s been the season-opening race of the Cup series.

The Daytona 500 is the biggest race of the NASCAR schedule with the largest prize. This popular race is sometimes referred to as “The Great American Race” or the “Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing”. The date changes year to year, but it’s always held in February.

Each winner of the Daytona 500 is awarded the Harley J. Earl Trophy in Victory Lane. The winning race car is displayed, as if in a museum, at the Daytona 500 Experience for one whole year. 

Celebrate today by watching the race with friends and family! 

  • February 20, 2011 is also Love Your Pet Day | National Cherry Pie Day
  • February is Black History Month | Potato Lover's Month | National Weddings Month
  • This week is National Pancake Week | International Friendship Week | National Engineers Week