Engines roar to life. Two hundred thousand fans rise to their feet. And for the next few hours, the only thing that matters is who crosses that finish line first after 200 laps of pure adrenaline at nearly 200 miles per hour.

The Daytona 500 isn’t just NASCAR’s biggest race, it’s “The Great American Race,” a sporting event so iconic that winning it once defines entire careers. Drivers spend years chasing that checkered flag at Daytona International Speedway, and fans spend decades debating the greatest moments, closest finishes, and most dominant performances in the race’s legendary history.

Whether you bleed your favorite driver’s colors, organize annual race day watch parties, or just discovered NASCAR and want to understand what makes Daytona special, trivia connects fans across generations and knowledge levels. Your grandfather remembers Richard Petty’s dominance. Your friend knows every stat from Dale Earnhardt’s career. You caught last year’s photo finish. Together, you create the collective memory that makes NASCAR fandom so rich.

As race day approaches, there’s no better way to fire up your watch party than with trivia that tests who really knows The Great American Race. And when you’re hosting fellow fans, whether gathered around your TV or connected across different time zones, using an interactive quiz platform transforms casual viewing into an engaging experience where everyone participates, competes, and celebrates NASCAR knowledge together.

Let’s fire up 50+ questions that separate true Daytona 500 experts from casual fans.

Daytona 500 History & Origins

Q1: What year was the first Daytona 500 held?

A: 1959

Q2: Who won the inaugural Daytona 500?

A: Lee Petty

Q3: How many laps is the Daytona 500?

A: 200 laps

Q4: How long is one lap at Daytona International Speedway?

A: 2.5 miles

Q5: What’s the total distance of the Daytona 500?

A: 500 miles

Q6: When did Daytona International Speedway open?

A: 1959

Q7: What beach racing activity preceded the Daytona 500?

A: Beach and road course racing on Daytona Beach

Q8: Who designed Daytona International Speedway?

A: Bill France Sr.

Q9: What makes Daytona a “superspeedway”?

A: Track length over 2 miles and high banking allowing high speeds

Q10: How many degrees is the banking in Daytona’s turns?

A: 31 degrees

Q11: What nickname is the Daytona 500 known by?

A: “The Great American Race”

Q12: What month is the Daytona 500 typically held?

A: February

Create Your Ultimate Daytona 500 Trivia

Legendary Winners & Records

Q13: Who has won the most Daytona 500s?

A: Richard Petty (7 wins)

Q14: How many times did Dale Earnhardt win the Daytona 500?

A: Once (1998, after 20 tries)

Q15: Who won the 2024 Daytona 500?

A: William Byron

Q16: What’s the closest finish in Daytona 500 history?

A: 0.010 seconds (2016 – Denny Hamlin over Martin Truex Jr.)

Q17: Who’s the youngest Daytona 500 winner?

A: Trevor Bayne (20 years old in 2011)

Q18: Who’s the oldest Daytona 500 winner?

A: Bobby Allison (50 years old in 1988)

Q19: Has a rookie ever won the Daytona 500?

A: Yes – several, including Trevor Bayne (2011)

Q20: What driver finally won after 20 attempts?

A: Dale Earnhardt (1998)

Q21: Who won the Daytona 500 in their first attempt?

A: Several drivers, including Derrike Cope (1990)

Q22: How many Daytona 500s did Jeff Gordon win?

A: Three (1997, 1999, 2005)

Q23: Which active driver has the most Daytona 500 wins?

A: Denny Hamlin (3 wins as of 2024)

Q24: What year did Jimmie Johnson win his Daytona 500?

A: 2006 and 2013

Q25: Who won the first Daytona 500 under the lights?

A: Matt Kenseth (2008)

Q26: Has a woman ever won the Daytona 500?

A: No (Janet Guthrie was first woman to compete in 1977)

Q27: What’s the speed record for the Daytona 500?

A: Approximately 177 mph average (varies by year)

Famous Moments & Dramatic Finishes

Q28: What year was Dale Earnhardt’s emotional first Daytona 500 win?

A: 1998

Q29: What tragedy occurred during the 2001 Daytona 500?

A: Dale Earnhardt’s fatal crash on the final lap

Q30: What weather event delayed the 2012 Daytona 500?

A: Rain (postponed to Monday night for first time)

Q31: What caused the 2014 Daytona 500 to be postponed?

A: Rain (first time postponed to Monday afternoon)

Q32: What’s “The Big One” at Daytona?

A: A massive multi-car crash (common at superspeedways)

Q33: What happened in the 1979 finish that boosted NASCAR?

A: Fight between drivers after race (first nationally televised race)

Q34: Who famously walked away from a horrific crash in the 2020 Daytona 500?

A: Ryan Newman (survived terrible last-lap crash)

Q35: What innovation changed drafting strategy at Daytona?

A: Restrictor plates (now tapered spacers)

Q36: What year did Austin Dillon’s car flip into the catch fence?

A: 2015

Q37: Who won the rain-shortened 2020 Daytona 500?

A: Denny Hamlin

Q38: What caused the red flag in the 2024 Daytona 500?

A: Major multi-car incident

Q39: How many caution flags typically occur during the race?

A: Varies widely (6-12 common)

Q40: What’s a “green-white-checkered” finish?

A: Overtime restart ensuring race doesn’t end under caution

Q41: Who won the 50th running of the Daytona 500?

A: Ryan Newman (2008)

Q42: What year featured the first photo finish?

A: 1959 (Lee Petty awarded win three days later)

For a deep dive into the race’s most unforgettable highlights, explore the Greatest Daytona 500 Moments and relive the finishes, rivalries, and history that shaped The Great American Race.

Technical & Track Knowledge

Q43: What are restrictor plates designed to do?

A: Limit engine power and reduce speeds for safety

Q44: What replaced restrictor plates in 2019?

A: Tapered spacers

Q45: What’s the “tri-oval” at Daytona?

A: The unique front stretch shape

Q46: How wide is the racing surface at Daytona?

A: 40 feet in turns, 60 feet in trioval

Q47: What’s “drafting” or “slipstreaming”?

A: Following closely behind another car to reduce air resistance

Q48: What’s a “pack race” at Daytona?

A: Large groups of cars racing together due to drafting

Q49: Why is Daytona considered dangerous?

A: High speeds and pack racing increase crash potential

Q50: What’s the pit road speed limit at Daytona?

A: 55 mph

Q51: How many pit crew members can service the car?

A: Five over the wall

Q52: What does the checkered flag mean?

A: Race completion

Q53: What’s a “lucky dog” in NASCAR?

A: First car one lap down gets lap back during caution

Q54: How are starting positions determined?

A: Through qualifying races called “Duels”

Fuel Your Race Day Party with Slidea

You already have the trivia questions to challenge even the most devoted NASCAR fans. What turns a good Daytona 500 watch party into a legendary one is how the game is presented, paced, and played together in real time.

Slidea, an interactive quiz maker, helps you transform simple trivia into an immersive, race-day experience, built for audience engagement and friendly competition.

Multiple Competition Formats That Keep Fans Hooked

Not all trivia questions should feel the same and Slidea makes sure they don’t.

Select Answer slides are perfect for classic multiple-choice questions, displaying four options clearly so everyone can respond quickly.

Type Answer slides work great for “Name the driver” or “Which team?” questions where recall matters.

Pick the Number slides add excitement to stats-based questions like “How many laps are in the Daytona 500?” or “How many wins does this driver have?”

Lineup slides let players arrange answers in the correct order, such as ranking drivers by number of championships or race finishes.

Built-in Features That Power Trivia Success

Slidea’s quiz experience is driven by features designed specifically for group play:

  • Live response tracking for instant results
  • Real-time scoring and rankings
  • Mobile-friendly access for all devices
  • Smooth pacing for virtual meetings and watch parties
  • Reliable performance for both in-person and online audiences

Together, these features make Slidea a natural fit for Daytona 500 trivia, turning race day into an interactive event fans will talk about long after the checkered flag drops.

Final Thought

The Daytona 500 is more than a race, its history, heartbreak, glory, and tradition wrapped into 200 high-speed laps. Every fan brings a different memory to the table, whether it’s a legendary driver, an unforgettable finish, or the first race they ever watched.

Daytona 500 trivia taps into that shared passion. It sparks debates, unlocks memories, and turns race day into a fully interactive experience where everyone gets involved. From lifelong NASCAR followers to first-time viewers, trivia levels the playing field and keeps the excitement rolling long before and even during the green flag.

So whether you’re hosting a packed living room watch party or connecting fans across locations, these questions aren’t just about right answers. They’re about celebrating what makes The Great American Race unforgettable. Start the engines, test your knowledge, and let the competition fly.

FAQs

Q1. Why is the Daytona 500 called “The Great American Race”?

The Daytona 500 earned its nickname because it’s NASCAR’s most prestigious and iconic event. It opens the NASCAR Cup Series season and attracts the biggest drivers, teams, and fan attention every year.

Q2. How many laps are in the Daytona 500?

The Daytona 500 consists of 200 laps, covering a total distance of 500 miles at Daytona International Speedway.

Q3. Who has won the most Daytona 500 races?

Richard Petty holds the record with 7 Daytona 500 wins, making him one of the most legendary drivers in NASCAR history.

Q4. What makes Daytona International Speedway unique?

Daytona International Speedway is known for its 2.5-mile tri-oval track, steep banking, and high-speed drafting, which often leads to close finishes and dramatic last-lap moments.

Q5. Is Daytona 500 trivia good for watching parties and group events?

Yes! Daytona 500 trivia is perfect for watch parties, virtual meetings, and hybrid events. It keeps fans engaged, sparks friendly competition, and helps everyone, new and old fans alike connect through shared NASCAR knowledge.