The Daytona 500 is the Super Bowl of NASCAR and things already got started off in historic fashion as Danica Patrick became the first woman in history to win the pole for the event on Sunday.
Patrick has made enough history throughout her career, but this might be the most important achievement for her since becoming a professional. This will give her a legitimate shot to win the race and she will start next to legend Jeff Gordon, who finished second in testing on Sunday.
Last year Patrick was involved in a crash during Daytona and finished in the middle of the pack. She entered this year's race with extra attention as she is reportedly dating fellow driver and Sprint Cup rookie Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. She is already the first woman to run fill time on the Sprint Cup and now Patrick has another historic achievement to her name.
Patrick's best career finish in her Sprint Cup career is 17th and she is in good position to top that now with the pole win at Daytona. She was the fastest at 196.434 mph and along with Gordon guaranteed herself a spot in the race on Sunday.
Kevin Harvick had a solid weekend while winning Saturday night's exhibition Sprint Unlimited, taking it home for the third time.
HERE is the full schedule from the OFFICIAL NASCAR website from Daytona 500.
Monday, February 18
9 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series practices
11:15 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series final practice
12:40 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series practice
2:15 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice
2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series autograph sessions
4 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series qualifying race No. 1 (25 laps)
4:30 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series qualifying race No. 2 (25 laps)
5 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series qualifying race No. 3 (25 laps)
5:30 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series qualifying race No. 4 (25 laps)
6:15 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series last-chance race (25 laps)
6:50 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series driver introductions
7:15 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen All-American Series UNOH Battle At The Beach (150 laps, 60 miles)
Tuesday, February 19
10:30 a.m.: gates open
10:45 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice
11:35 a.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour final practice
12:30 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series practice
1:25 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series final practice
1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour autograph session
2:20 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series autograph session
3 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying race No. 1 (25 laps)
3:35 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour qualifying race No. 2 (25 laps)
4 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series qualifying race No. 1 (25 laps)
4:25 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series qualifying race No. 2 (25 laps)
4:50 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour last-chance race (25 laps)
5:15 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series last-chance race (25 laps)
6:35 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series / NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver introductions
7:15 p.m.: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour UNOH Battle At The Beach (150 laps, 60 miles)
8:30 p.m.: NASCAR K&N Pro Series UNOH Battle At The Beach (150 laps, 60 miles)
Wednesday, February 20
10 a.m.: Sprint FANZONE & garages open
10 a.m.: Inspection Station Activity in Sprint FANZONE
10 a.m.: Kids Area in Sprint FANZONE opens
10:30 a.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos at Gatorade Victory Lane in Sprint FANZONE
11:30 a.m.: Grandstand gates open
Noon: Sprint Cup practice
2:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup final practice before NASCAR Budweiser Duel
7 p.m.: Garages close
Thursday, Feb. 21
7 a.m.: Sprint FANZONE & garages open
7 a.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos at Gatorade Victory Lane in Sprint FANZONE
8 a.m.: Inspection Station Activity in Sprint FANZONE
9 a.m.: Grandstand gates open
9 a.m.: Nationwide Series practice
9 a.m.: Guided Garage Tours in Sprint FANZONE for fans of all ages (limited number of tours available)
9 a.m.: Kids area in Sprint FANZONE opens
10:15 a.m.: Nationwide Series final practice
10:15 a.m.: Live music on Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
Noon: Miss Sprint Cup appearance in Sprint FANZONE
12:10 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series practice
1 p.m.: Pre-Race ceremonies access: Sprint FANZONE/pre-race pass required
1:40 p.m.: Sprint Cup driver introductions
2 p.m.: Start of the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel (60 laps - 150 miles, each race)
3:30 p.m.: Approximate starting time for second Duel race
5 p.m.: Nationwide Series garages close
6 p.m.: Sprint Cup garages close
6 p.m.: Camping World Truck Series final practice
Friday, February 22
7 a.m.: Sprint FANZONE & garages open
9 a.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos at Gatorade Victory Lane in Sprint FANZONE
8 a.m.: Inspection Station Activity in Sprint FANZONE
10 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4
10 a.m.: Kids area in Sprint FANZONE opens
10:30 a.m.: Grandstand gates open
11 a.m.: Sprint Cup practice
12:30 p.m.: Sprint Cup practice
1:40 p.m.: Start of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 qualifying (two laps, all positions)
2 p.m.: Guided garage tours in Sprint FANZONE for fans 18 years and older (limited number of tours available)
3:30 p.m.: Live Music on Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
3:35 p.m.: Start of NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 qualifying (two laps, all positions)
4 p.m.: Sprint Cup garages close
4 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series autograph session in Goodyear Legends Area in Sprint FANZONE
6:30 p.m.: Nationwide Series garages close
6:30 p.m.: Pre-race ceremonies access: Sprint FANZONE/pre-race pass required
7 p.m.: NextEra Energy Resources 250 driver introductions
7:30 p.m.: Start of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)
Saturday, February 23
9 a.m.: Sprint FANZONE & garages open
9 a.m.: Grandstand gates open
9 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4
9 a.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos at Gatorade Victory Lane in Sprint FANZONE
10 a.m.: Live Band: Scarletta on the Sprint FANZONE Main Stage
10 a.m.: Kids Area in Sprint FANZONE opens
10:30 a.m.: Daytona 500 "Happy Hour" practice
Noon: Pre-race ceremonies access: Sprint FANZONE/pre-race pass required
Noon: Miss Sprint Cup appearance in Sprint FANZONE
12:45 p.m.: DRIVE4COPD 300 driver introductions
1:15 p.m.: Start of NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 (120 laps, 300 miles)
5 p.m.: Garages close
Sunday, February 24
7 a.m.: Sprint FANZONE & garages open
7 a.m.: Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 trophy photos at Gatorade Victory Lane in Sprint FANZONE
8 a.m.: Grandstand gates open
8 a.m.: Backstretch Fan Experience & Budweiser Party Porch open
8 a.m.: Guided garage tours in Sprint FANZONE for fans of all ages (limited number of tours available)
8 a.m.: Pre-race ceremonies access: Sprint FANZONE/pre-race pass required
8 a.m.: Kids Area in Sprint FANZONE open
9 a.m.: Midway display area opens outside Turn 4
9 a.m.: Live band: Those Guys at the Backstretch Fan Experience
10 a.m.: Miss Sprint Cup appearance in Sprint FANZONE
11:35 a.m.: Daytona 500 trophy procession from Sprint FANZONE to pit road
12:15 p.m.: DAYTONA 500 driver introductions
12:20 p.m.: Budweiser Daytona 500 pre-race show featuring Zac Brown Band
1 p.m.: Start of 55th annual Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles)
