The Daytona 500 has opened the NASCAR Cup Series season since 1982, making it a centerpiece of motorsports tradition. Recently, Chase Elliott shared his opinion on the Daytona 500 season opener, voicing concerns about whether the race’s timing best serves its importance.
Chase Elliott Reflects on Timing of Marquee Race
Chase Elliott, a prominent driver for Hendrick Motorsports and former Daytona 500 champion, discussed his feelings about the race on The MeatEater Podcast. Elliott expressed a unique issue—not with the race’s prestige, but rather its spot on the calendar. He acknowledged that being crowned a Daytona 500 winner remains one of the sport’s highest honors, but questioned whether the race gets the weight it deserves in determining the NASCAR champion due to being the season opener.
“I wish 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.”
—Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Drawing a comparison to other major sporting events, Elliott noted that the Super Bowl serves to crown a champion, while the Daytona 500 occurs before the championship is determined. He likened its significance to golf’s Masters or the U.S. Open—prestigious events held in the midst of their respective seasons, rather than at the start or end.
Fan Traditions Keep Daytona 500 as Season Opener
NASCAR’s longstanding tradition makes the Daytona 500 the season’s first official race, now carrying that distinction for over four decades. The sport’s governing body faces no real push to alter this established order. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President, reaffirmed this stance in a recent interview, emphasizing the importance of tradition in the sport’s operations.
“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
According to Kennedy, the decision to preserve the race’s opening spot is rooted in fan preference. A survey conducted two years ago showed that over 95% of fans supported the Daytona 500 kicking off the season. Given such overwhelming support, changing the schedule would be difficult for Elliott or anyone in the sport.
No Plans for Daytona Finale Despite Popularity
While some might wonder if the Daytona International Speedway could one day host the season’s championship-deciding race, NASCAR has ruled out such a change. The organization remains committed to ending the year at other venues, citing the unpredictable and volatile nature of superspeedway-style tracks like Daytona. This unpredictability, they believe, makes it unsuitable as the final battleground for determining the Cup Series champion.
As debates about tradition and scheduling continue, it seems clear that the Great American Race will remain the celebrated opening chapter of each NASCAR season. With Chase Elliott’s remarks highlighting an ongoing conversation about the value and timing of marquee events, NASCAR’s leadership appears committed to listening to fan voices and maintaining customs that have defined the sport for generations.
