Is the Daytona 500 still the most important race when it is now just 1 of 26 qualifying races for the chase?

It's the most prestigious race. It's importance as far as the points isn't any different than it's importance before there was a chase when it was 1 of x races in the season.

I certainly don't think the Homestead race is NASCAR's Super Bowl. The Daytona 500 is the most prestigious race in NASCAR. Everybody remembers the past winners of the Daytona 500. It's the first race of the NASCAR season and that track just creates exciting races.

There is just so much history at Daytona too. There's the 1976 Daytona 500 when Petty and Pearson wrecked racing each other to the finish line and Pearson crossed the finish line at 30 mph to win the race. There was the 1979 Daytona 500 which was the first race to be televised live flag-to-flag and people saw Yarbrough and Donnie Allison both wreck fighting for the lead which led to a fight in the infield as Petty went on to win the race. That race helped NASCAR grow into what it is today. You can even go back to the very first Daytona 500 in 1959 which ended with three cars crossing the finish line at the same time and it took them three days of studying photos to announce that Lee Petty had won the race. Then, of course, there is Dale Earnhardt finally winning the 500 in 1998 after the race had eluded him for so many years.

Winning the Daytona 500 certainly doesn't guarantee you success for the rest of the season but there are two goals that every driver wants to accomplish during their career, winning a championship and winning the Daytona 500.

The Daytona 500 stands on its own, similar to the Indy 500. They may be part of a series schedule, but these races are the ones people want to win, or just be a part of. Just making the field for the Daytona 500 is a huge accomplishment. Everyone has had all winter to polish their stuff and prep the best car they can. You show up in Daytona with everything you've got. Daytona will always be important, and it's never been a qualifying race. It's the kickoff to the Nascar season.

The Daytona 500 is to Nascar what the Indianapolis 500 is to Indy Cars. Its a prestigious race with a ton of history. Most drivers would trade any win for one at the Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt had won 7 championships before he won the Daytona 500, but winning that race was the high point of his career. Its kind of hard to explain.

And no, I don't think not making the chase after winning the Daytona 500 makes it any less important. They will go down in history as a Daytona 500 winner. Any driver who has will always be remembered for that accomplishment. Even if they never have a championship.

After months of no NASCAR, the Daytona 500 is what kicks off the new season, so excitement is usually at its highest. It's NASCAR's version of the Super Bowl because somebody decided to make it the biggest of the parties.

Winning the Daytona 500 is still prestigious. It might have been a more important win before that chase foolishness started, but it's still a big deal.

Kenseth won the 500, and he may or may not make the chase. He still has a Daytona 500 trophy, and that's something they all want. *

It used to be 1 of 34 or 36 and nobody cared. Why should it matter now? Daytona is the event that everyone would most want to win. Teams spend their entire winter gearing up for that event.

Think of it this way. If you were to only win one event all season or career what would you want it to be? Simple Daytona 500! Nothing else is even close!

ITS THE DAYTONA 500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How much more important could it get. Race #1. All slates are clean, all bets are off. You race to win. Anybody can win it. And it pays most.

Since it is the most coveted win in NASCAR, it will always be the most important one...Chase or no Chase.

Go Jr.>>>>

The high speeds makes it intense and is one of the reasons it considered the "Superbowl" race of NASCAR. It's also the season opener after 3 month of no races (during the winter) which makes it even more exciting. I was wondering when God was going to send me an Angel. He did good : )