DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Race fans are making their way to Daytona International Speedway for the 67th running of the Daytona 500.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Thursday, qualifying continues with the race known as the Duel at Daytona.
Seven drivers will fight for two open spots in the Great American Race and for some fans, that’s more exciting than Sunday.
"I kind of got chills when we were going through the tunnel and you hear the cars going by," said Katrina Myers, who is in town from Oklahoma.
Read: Mac McClung is back in the dunk contest, looking for a record third straight title
Track president Frank Kelleher hopes new NASCAR fans keep coming back, explaining that the stakes just keep getting higher. Sunday’s race will be one for the record books, with the richest purse payout in motorsports history.
"30 million dollars will be up for grabs on Sunday," said Kelleher.
With rain in the forecast, track officials are pulling out all the stops. Last year, rain delayed the 500 until Monday. Kelleher doesn’t anticipate that happening again but said he is prepared for anything.
Read: Denny’s to close dozens of more restaurants than initially thought
“From a venue standpoint, we will be ready to greet out fans under the grandstands. From a racetrack standpoint, we have jet dryers that have come in from all over the country to be here to support the Great American Race. So, we will do everything we can to get cars back on the track,” said Kelleher.
The race has sold out for the 10th year in a row.
Read: Blue Origin announces layoffs following New Glenn launch
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group
