Daytona International Speedway is one of North America's all-time classic circuits, simultaneously being NASCAR's Mecca. The circuit, built between 1957 and 1959 by NASCAR founder William France Sr. in Daytona Beach, Florida, consists of a tri-oval and a road-racing course, the latter combining parts of the oval and infield sections. The 440-acre site also offers a small dirt flat track, which is situated beside the asphalted main circuit.

The Daytona 500, staged annually in February, marks the NASCAR Sprint Cup season's opener, and is justifiably known as the "Superbowl of Stock Car Racing". Since 1995 the Daytona 500 has attracted the USA's highest motorsport television ratings, in the process shading the legendary Indy 500. On a par with winning the Daytona 500, is victory in the annual Daytona 24 Hour Race, first run in 1962. Together with 24 Hour Le Mans classic and the 12 Hours of Sebring, the event forms part of the Triple Crown of Endurance Racing.