The return of NASCAR to the iconic Daytona Internation Speedway for the 65th annual Daytona 500 is around the corner. The Speed racing week is scheduled to start on the 15th of February and conclude on the 19th of February. The Speedweek will entail of the qualifying race, duel 1 and 2, and finally, the most prestigious race seal the week.
The 2022 season was a success with NASCAR bringing numerous changes to the sport including the Next-Gen car as well as the Chicago Street Race which is expected to happen this season. After Joey Logano sealed the season with a win taking home the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series championships, Martin Truex Jr. went on to open the 2023 year with an epic win after clinching the Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum on 5th February 2023.
With the exhibition race done and dusted drivers and their crew are now gearing up for the most coveted trophy in the history of motorsport, the Daytona 500. The event is commonly referred to as the “Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing” and it is the most important race in the racing calendar, every driver wants to place this trophy on their trophy display.
The event was inaugurated in 1959 and since then it has been held at the Daytona International Speedway every February marking the first point-race for NASCAR point table. Richard Petty still holds the record for the most Daytona 500 wins but Denny Hamlin stands as the only active driver with the most wins.
The Speedweek racing edition is set to commence on the 15th of February where drivers will battle for the front row position. After that on the 16th, the Bluegreen Vacations Duels will kick off, then on the 17th and 18th the drivers will have ample time to practice as they prepare for the main event on Sunday the 19th. Below is the NASCAR 2023 Daytona 500 Full Speedweek Schedule.
2023 Daytona 500 Full Speedweek Schedule.
February 15 (Wednesday)
- 8:15 pm ET – Daytona 500 Qualifying (front row)
February 16 (Thursday)
- 7:00 pm ET – Duel Race 1
- 8:45 pm ET – Duel Race 2
February 17 (Friday)
- 5:30 pm ET – Practice
February 18 (Saturday)
- 10:30 am ET – Final Practice
February 19 (Sunday)
- 2:30 pm ET – Daytona 500
Daytona 500 Defending Champion
The Great American Race is mostly known for surprise winners and most in the current era of the driver only Denny Hamlin has managed to reclaim the title more than once. Team Penskes’ driver Austin Cindric will hit the track as the defending champion and he is looking forward to scripting a new history of his career. Cindric won the race as a rookie and this year Ty Gibbs is among the rookie with the most odds to carry the trophy home.