The Daytona 500

The hype is real! If you're an American and know nothing about racing, you've surely heard of a few worldwide motorsports events: the Indy 500, LeMans, and the Daytona 500. Growing up, I always thought that this monumental day must be the culmination of the stock car racing season, only to learn that it doesn't mark the end, but the beginning and beginnings are times for celebrations.

The Daytona International Speedway's self-proclaimed "World Center of Racing" moniker displays its hubris for motorsports fans of all types. Of course, depending upon what kind of racing you identify with will determine its accuracy. However, I will firmly attest that great things happen at Daytona each racing season. And for stock car racing, Daytona is hallowed ground.

I was there as part of a team of seven people this year, and my primary job was to sort, caption, and edit photos from twelve different photographers during the event. So I didn't get to push the shutter button a lot, but I got a few chances to mingle with the racers.

Please enjoy a few of my favorite photos I captured while there. All images © GavinBaker/NKP 2022