The Daytona 500 — the “Great American Race” — is more than just the NASCAR Cup Series season opener; it‘s a showcase of motorsport history, drama and unforgettable moments.
As the 2025 race and the start of the NASCAR season approaches, we‘re celebrating its legacy with a 25-day countdown, reliving the top moments that have defined this iconic event. From breathtaking photo finishes and trailblazers to stunning upsets and famed fisticuffs, these stories capture the essence of Daytona: where legends are made, dreams are realized and the thrill of competition reaches its peak.
Join us as we revisit the victories of legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, alongside the heartbreaks, comebacks and acts of sportsmanship that have etched this race into the annals of sports history. Whether you‘re a lifelong fan or new to NASCAR, each day promises a star-studded reminder of why the Daytona 500 stands as a pinnacle of speed and determination.
Buckle up and get ready to celebrate the magic of Daytona!
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25. The Iconic Return
Date: Feb. 18, 2018 | Full race results
Notes: With an eye-popping 30-something wins at Daytona International Speedway across multiple NASCAR series and racing disciplines, Dale Earnhardt is synonymous with the famed, 2.5-mile superspeedway despite claiming just one Daytona 500 win in his legendary career. It had been nearly 20 years to the day, however, since the infamous No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet had found Victory Lane there in the Cup Series, save for a 1999 Duel win by “The Intimidator,” until Austin Dillon took the iconic entry across the finish line first in the 2018 “Great American Race.”
To give you even more tingles — Dillon, the grandson of team owner Richard Childress, actually celebrated with Earnhardt in Victory Lane for his win back in ’98 as a 7-year-old. And there was even another “lucky penny” riding in the No. 3 for this one like there was for Earnhardt’s, too.
RELATED: Dale Earnhardt’s 1998 win in photos | Untold Stories: ’98 Daytona 500
“This is so awesome to take the No. 3 car back to Victory Lane. This one is for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and all those (Dale) Sr. fans. I love you guys,” Dillon said after claiming the checkered flag. “We are going to keep kicking butt the rest of the year!” | Read more
NASCAR Classics: Watch the 2018 Daytona 500 in full
MORE: Earnhardt‘s win shaped Dillon brothers’ path | Dillon, crew ink up after 500
