Sprint Cup at Daytona: 5 Reasons Why Daytona Races Are Always Ones To Watch

By (Featured Columnist) on June 29, 2011

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DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 03:  Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, poses in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3, 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

It doesn't matter if it is the Daytona 500 or the Coke Zero 400, any NASCAR race at Daytona is one to watch. While the July race doesn't have the prestige of the track's "big" race, it brings in a huge audience and is part of the 4th of July tradition for many families.

But why are Daytona races so awesome to watch, no matter the time of year? Let's take a look.

No. 5: You Never Know Who Is Going To Be Best Friends with Who

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 12:  Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M's Toyota, leads Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/AMP Energy Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Budweiser Shootout at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2011 in D
John Harrelson/Getty Images

When you see Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Kyle Busch drafting together, it's a shock. The two aren't known for being best buds, but at Daytona all is forgotten for a few hours as long as you are successful drafting.

The unlikely pairs make the race interesting.

No. 4: Tempers Flare

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20:  David Ragan, driver of the #6 UPS Ford, Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, ans Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 Cheerios Chevrolet, pass the green flag for a restart during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Se
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

While we don't always have the kind of fight that was seen in the 1979 Daytona 500, there's always at least one driver that feels like throwing a punch—and sometimes the revenge really stirs up the race.

Whether it's in the pits or on the track, you are likely to see something exciting happen when things heat up.

No. 3: The Excitement

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20:  Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 U.S. Army Chevrolet, and Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota, lead a pack of cars past the green flag for a restart during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona Intern
Jason Smith/Getty Images

Even if you aren't at the track watching the race live, your adrenaline still gets pumping. There are very few sporting events that get fans revved up just by watching on TV, but every Daytona race is in that category.

Daytona is action-packed almost every lap. With the maneuvering in huge packs that is needed to be successful in the race, no one ever knows what is coming next. Every Daytona race is literally a workout just to watch because the fans' nerves are standing on edge.

No. 2: Seeing Who Survived the Big One

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20:  Several cars are involved in a crash on lap 29 during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

While most people cringe during the big one, it is always interesting to see who has the lucky horse-shoe at Daytona. The big one alters the field and determines the winner more than almost anything else.

Plus, it's always interesting to see the moves that some people use to survive the wreck. Some of the moves look to be pure luck, but some show exceptional driving skills from those you wouldn't think could pull it off.

No. 1: Who Will Win?

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 20:  Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 20, 2011 in Daytona Beach, Florid
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

While most tracks have the big 10 or 15 that are favored and usually win, Daytona races throw in surprise winners all the time.

This isn't a racetrack where you can name Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, etc., as a winner and probably be right. This is a field that you really have to dig into to come close to finding a winner—and even then, you will probably be wrong.

People complain about the same guys winning week-in and week-out, but Daytona is the great equalizer when it comes to racing and is probably the best chance the little guys have to win a race outside of Talladega.

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