What are the premier events in NASCAR? Daytona 500 and others
While the NFL concludes each season with its premier event, the Super Bowl, NASCAR commences its seasons with its most significant event, the Daytona 500. This 500-mile race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, is often dubbed “NASCAR’s Super Bowl” due to its status as the most esteemed and sought-after race in the sport.
What are the crown jewels? Here’s all you need to know about the top events on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
What are NASCAR crown jewel races?
Similar to golf and tennis, which have tournaments known as majors that hold greater significance than regular events, NASCAR features its own set of major races. Securing a victory in one of these four major races significantly enhances a driver’s career compared to winning other events.
In NASCAR, the four crown jewels represent the major races in elite stock car racing. Although the races classified as crown jewels have evolved over time, there are currently four races that are regarded as more significant than the rest.
What are the four crown jewel races in NASCAR?
The crown jewel races in the NASCAR Cup Series include the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Brickyard 400.
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 has marked the beginning of the NASCAR season every February since 1982. The race consists of 200 laps divided into three stages on a 2.5-mile track, totaling 500 miles. Richard Petty holds the record for the most wins in this race, with seven victories. Cale Yarborough follows with four wins.
Coca-Cola 600
Regarded as one of the most challenging races in NASCAR, the Coca-Cola 600 spans 600 miles over 400 laps on a 1.5-mile oval track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The track opened in 1960, with Joe Lee Johnson winning its inaugural Cup Series race. Darrell Waltrip holds the record for the most Coca-Cola 600 wins, with five.
Southern 500
The inaugural Southern 500 took place in 1950, making it the oldest 500-mile race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. Held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, the race consists of 367 laps on a 1.366-mile asphalt track. Jeff Gordon has the most victories in the Southern 500, having won it six times.
Brickyard 400
The Brickyard 400, the newest addition to NASCAR’s crown jewels, is held on the iconic bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This race became part of the Cup Series in 1994. Jeff Gordon has achieved a record five wins in this race after completing 160 laps in Indianapolis.
Which driver has the most career crown jewel race wins?
Jeff Gordon holds the record for the most career crown jewel race victories, totaling 17. His wins include six in the Southern 500, five in the Brickyard 400, and three each in the Coca-Cola 600 and Daytona 500.
How many drivers have achieved the NASCAR grand slam (won all four crown jewel races in the same season)?
No driver in the Cup Series has won all four modern crown jewel races in a single season. In 1997, Jeff Gordon won three of the four (Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500).
How many drivers have achieved the NASCAR career grand slam (won all four crown jewel races in a career)?
Four drivers—Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson—have won all four of NASCAR’s current crown jewel races during their careers.
Visit the ESPN NASCAR hub page for the latest updates, detailed driver profiles, schedules, and more.
Source: espn.com
