In recent years, many felt that the Daytona 500, the biggest race on the NASCAR calendar, had lost its luster because it was no longer as lively as it once was. That changed last Sunday.
The 68th Daytona 500 followed a blockbuster storyline that played out in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The overall vibe was that of a 1990s or early 2000s race weekend.
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Former driver Kyle Petty was one of the icons who noticed this change, and he was understandably happy with it. “The crowd and the atmosphere here are reminiscent of 25 years ago,” he began.
“The parking lots were full. The infield was full. The stands were full. There was a line at the concession stand. A line in the restrooms,” said Little on NASCAR: Inside The Race.
“It didn’t make any difference! There were lines everywhere. That’s how Daytona has always been. That’s how Daytona is supposed to be,” he added.
Petty’s appreciation wasn’t just for the public. He also patted Tyler Reddick on the shoulder for the way he reacted emotionally after becoming the winner. For Petty, it reflected the passion that every driver in the sport must possess.
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“You’d think Elvis was here for an encore, you know?” Petty continued of the excitement in the crowd. “I mean, it was just huge. So, that’s how it’s supposed to be.”
From the USAF Thunderbirds flyover during the pre-race show to Miranda Lambert’s performance to the high-octane superspeedway race, every element of the weekend had a special energy. Denny Hamlin is another icon who liked the way things were done.
“Super Bowl-style” Daytona: Hamlin
Hamlin, who has raced in 21 Daytona 500s so far, believes the latest edition is one of the best ever. His assessment comes not only from what happened on the track, but also from how the entire weekend was organized by management.
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“Whoever organized the event, Frank, the president of the track there, did a fantastic job. The drivers’ meeting room was superb, professional. The pre-race scene, brilliant. The party Saturday night… The Bert Kreischer party that they said was Super Bowl worthy. That’s what we need. We need more things like that,” said Hamlin on harmful actions.
Hamlin noted that the high quality of the event throughout the weekend was reflected in the atmosphere. As the sport embraces multiple changes to return to its glory days, such a positive experience is bound to be a sign that things are moving in the right direction.
The position Kyle Petty and Denny Hamlin say the 2026 Daytona 500 weekend is reminiscent of the NASCAR peak of the 2000s appeared first on The rush to sport.
