Daytona 500 Schedule: Highlighting Best Events of NASCAR's Opening Week

You didn't think the Daytona 500 was the only thing NASCAR had going on in Florida this week, did you?

Sure, the "Great American Race" is the most important event of the week by far, but there's still plenty of fun and excitement to be had at and around Daytona International Speedway in the days leading up to the Sprint Cup Series season opener.

With that in mind, let's have a look at what NASCAR has planned for fans before Sunday's big race.

Wednesday, February 22nd

There will be fun for the whole family as NASCAR opens up the Sprint Fan Zone at 10 a.m. EST, with inspection stations open to the public until 3 p.m. and activities for the kids running until 5 p.m. Expect the place to be packed with lugnuts and gearheads throughout.

Thursday, February 23rd

From a purely stock-car-centric perspective, Thursday is all about the Gatorade Duel, a pair of 60-lap races that will determine how the rest of the field lines up behind Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle on Sunday. Those races will run at 2 p.m. EST, after pre-race ceremonies and driver introductions beginning at 1 p.m.

But the real excitement of the day, particularly for all the guzzling gullets and beer bellies in the grandstands, will come between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., when the Budweiser Clydesdales make a guest appearance at Daytona.

There's no official word yet as to whether fans will be allowed to drink and ride the prize horses. My best guess? Probably not.

Friday, February 24th

Friday will feature more garage tours in the morning, with cameos from some of the drivers, followed by Nationwide Series qualifying in the afternoon and the Camping World Truck Series race under the lights.

The name of the truck race? The NextEra Energy Resources 250. I'm not sure there will be much of any energy resources left for the next era after all those trucks are done burning through 250 miles worth of fuel apiece.

Saturday, February 25th

The day before the Great American Race, the best of the best from the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series will take to the track at Daytona for the DRIVE4COPD 300, a 120-lap All-Star race to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Also bound to raise awareness: the hot dogs, burgers and beer on sale at the concession stands. 

Sunday, February 26th

A blowout concert than none other than Lenny Kravitz, followed by a pack of people in flame-retardant suits turning left for four hours.

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