Since 1982, the Daytona 500 has traditionally served as the opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series season, drawing significant attention and excitement each year. Chase Elliott on Daytona 500 season opener expressed his concerns about its timing, suggesting that such a prestigious event might be better positioned later in the schedule to preserve its weight and impact within the championship hunt.
Chase Elliott’s Perspective on the Daytona 500’s Timing
Chase Elliott, a driver for Hendrick Motorsports, shared his thoughts during an appearance on The MeatEater Podcast, where he questioned whether the Daytona 500 should open the season. Despite acknowledging the race as one of the sport’s most important achievements, Elliott said he
“wished there was a better way to have it positioned in a different spot, selfishly, because it is such a big event and it’s such a great event.”
He compared the Daytona 500’s status to major sporting events like the Super Bowl but noted that, unlike the Super Bowl, the race does not determine the season’s champion. Instead, he likened its importance to that of the Masters or the U.S. Open in golf, which occur mid-season. This reflection raises the possibility that NASCAR might consider rescheduling the event, but tradition weighs heavily against changing the date.
Why NASCAR Maintains Daytona 500 as the Season Opener
NASCAR deeply values tradition, with the Daytona 500 holding the season–opener spot for over four decades. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President, recently addressed this topic and clearly stated that the organization intends to keep the iconic race at the start of the season. Kennedy explained that NASCAR still plans to run the Clash before the Daytona 500 each year, building anticipation for the marquee event and the new season.
“We would like to continue to see it as our opener,” he said. “I think we’ll continue to have the Clash prior to the 500. It’s a great opportunity for us to build up some momentum in anticipation of our biggest event of the year, the Daytona 500, and the new season ahead. We’ll continue to keep it in that spot.” —Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President
Kennedy also revealed that a survey conducted two years ago showed that over 95% of fans preferred the Daytona 500 to remain the season’s first race. This overwhelming fan support means that individual drivers like Elliott have little influence over altering the race’s place in the calendar. As a result, the Daytona 500’s tradition as the opening event remains largely unchallenged.
Future Considerations for NASCAR’s Race Schedule
While the Daytona 500 continues to kick off the season, the Daytona International Speedway is unlikely to host the final race. NASCAR prefers to avoid ending the championship at a superspeedway, citing concerns over the unpredictable nature of such tracks. This reflects the promotion’s commitment to maintaining a fair and less volatile conclusion to the Cup Series each year.
The ongoing dialogue about the Daytona 500’s timing reveals NASCAR’s balancing act between tradition, fan preferences, and competitive fairness. Chase Elliott’s thoughtful critique adds an important perspective to the conversation, highlighting the complexity of a race that stands as both a historic spectacle and a significant sporting challenge. How NASCAR navigates these considerations could shape the future structure of the Cup Series schedule.
