DAYTONA BEACH, Fla — Often referred to as “The Great American Race,” the Daytona 500 will kick off the NASCAR season this Sunday, and the Peach State will be represented on the racetrack.
Dawsonville native Chase Elliott is no stranger to the Daytona 500. Having appeared in what will be his ninth come Sunday, the 2020 Cup champion has yet to win the Daytona 500. Elliott started from the pole in 2016 and 2017, and his best finish was in 2021, where he was runner-up to Michael McDowell.
Last year, Elliott missed the playoffs for the first time after injuring his leg in a snowboarding accident in Colorado, and he heads into the Daytona 500, healing from off-season shoulder surgery.
Held at the Daytona International Speedway, the main event comes at the end of a series of races and qualifying events that take place over the course of the week. Wednesday night, the top driver will compete for the front-row starting spots, followed by Duel races on Thursday night to determine positions three through 40 on the starting grid. Friday and Saturday will be practice days, with the Daytona 500 starting Sunday afternoon.
The 2024 Daytona 500 takes place on Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m. EST.
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