Daytona Pole Day 2024 (US): This year, Daytona Pole Day takes place on February 18, the Sunday preceding the 200-lap, 500-mile race at Daytona International Speedway (commonly referred to as the Daytona 500). A driver must complete the quickest single lap in the final of three rounds during the knockout qualifying session at the 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway to earn the pole position. In a broader sense, the initial two competitors to complete a lap at the Daytona 500 with the quickest times ultimately earn the starting positions of first and second, respectively.
Daytona Pole Day History
The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile race held at Daytona Beach, Florida’s Daytona International Speedway. Commencing concurrently with the inaugural Daytona 500, the superspeedway was inaugurated in 1959. Since 1982, the Daytona 500 has also served as the inaugural race of the NASCAR Cup Series season and as the concluding event of the Daytona Speedweeks. The annual NASCAR Cup Series 200-lap race is widely regarded as the most prestigious event in terms of rating and acclaim; consequently, it is the most-watched and most highly valued event of the year. The Daytona 500 is widely recognized as “the Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing” and “The Great American Race” for this reason.
Invariably, the Daytona 500 takes place between the middle and end of February. It was held every year from 1971 to 2011, starting in 2018, on the Sunday preceding the third Monday of February. Additionally, the race has occurred eight times on Valentine’s Day.
Typically, the pole qualifying race for the Daytona 500 takes place the weekend prior to the event. The driver who finishes the final three rounds of knockout qualifying at the speedway in the quickest single lap earns the pole position, or first place across the starting line at the Daytona 500. At the outset of the race, the driver who finishes second in the pole qualification race is positioned in the second position across the starting line. Additional race participants are selected based on fulfilling pre-established criteria, which may include the team’s point total from the two qualifying races and its position in the point standings from the previous season, or having won the NASCAR championship earlier in the season.
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Daytona Pole Day 2024 (US) FAQs
On what frequency does pole position impact the outcome of the Daytona 500?
While it is commonly believed that securing the pole position has a significant impact on the eventual victor of the Daytona 500, statistical evidence suggests otherwise. Seven times in the history of the Daytona 500, the checkered flag has been raised by the prime position driver. Bill Elliott (1985 and 1987) and Cale Yarborough (1968 and 1984) are the only drivers to have won it from the starting line twice.
Which other competitors have emerged victorious from the starting line?
Both Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough are renowned for having won from the starting line twice. Buddy Baker in 1980, Fireball Roberts in 1962, and Richard Petty in 1966 are three additional drivers who have won from the pole.
Who holds the greatest number of pole positions?
Each of Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, and Bill Elliott has secured the Daytona 500 starting line position four times. It was also awarded to Buddy Baker in 1969, 1973, 1979, and 1980, Yarborough in 1968, 1970, 1978, and 1984, Elliott in 2001, and Baker in 1985, 1986, and 1987.
Daytona Pole Day 2024 (US) Activities
Obtain a ticket
Don’t miss the thrills and festivities of Daytona Pole Day and the Daytona 500; purchase at least two tickets to witness the action in person. Tickets should be purchased in advance to ensure the best deals.
Livestream it
Even though it may seem impossible to visit Daytona and witness the renowned events of the Daytona 500 and Pole Day in person, all is not lost. It is always possible to broadcast the prestigious event online to witness every moment of beauty and excitement as it transpires.
Connect via social media
By following the official social media accounts of the prestigious Daytona 500 and its preliminary Pole Day events, you can become an active participant. There, one can obtain the most current information regarding the race, preliminary duels, and additional side attractions that embellish the event.
Five fascinating details about Daytona Beach, Florida
A merger of cities and villages
Seven municipalities make up the Daytona Beach metropolitan area: Daytona Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Ormond Beach, and Port Orange.
Before the arrival of Timucuan Indians,
The extinct Timucuan Indians once lived in the area that is now known as Daytona Beach.
The origin of the street moniker Beach
Despite its considerable distance from the ocean, Ocean Street was named in honor of the Beach family.
The patriarch who established Daytona
Matthias Day, a prosperous merchant regarded as “the founding father of Daytona” (presently Daytona Beach), established the locality and constructed its inaugural hotel in 1874.
first Daytona stock car competition
The inaugural stock car race was conducted at the Daytona Beach Road Course, which is now known as Ponce Inlet, on March 8, 1936.
DAYTONA POLE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February 18 | Sunday |
| 2025 | February 16 | Sunday |
| 2026 | February 15 | Sunday |
