NASCAR in Talks with NFL to Protect Daytona 500's Traditional Date from Super Bowl Overlap

NASCAR in Talks with NFL to Protect Daytona 500's Traditional Date from Super Bowl Overlap

By Michael Harrison

February 16, 2025 at 01:36 AM

NASCAR plans to engage in discussions with the NFL to prevent scheduling conflicts between the Daytona 500 and an potentially expanded Super Bowl schedule.

NASCAR race cars at Daytona

NASCAR race cars at Daytona

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR's senior vice president of racing development and strategy, confirmed they're actively monitoring the situation, particularly as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell considers extending the NFL schedule, which could push the Super Bowl to Presidents Day weekend – traditionally reserved for the Daytona 500.

Key points about the potential scheduling conflict:

  • The 2024 Super Bowl drew a record 127.7 million viewers
  • The Daytona 500 remains NASCAR's most-watched race annually
  • The 2024 Daytona 500 features a record $30 million purse
  • Last year's rain-delayed Monday race attracted 6 million viewers
  • The most-watched Daytona 500 in recent years drew 13.3 million viewers (2015)

Current NASCAR scheduling structure:

  • The Clash (exhibition event) runs the weekend before Super Bowl
  • Teams get Super Bowl weekend off
  • Daytona 500 follows on Presidents Day weekend

NASCAR is considering two main options:

  1. Running the Daytona 500 before the Super Bowl
  2. Maintaining the current post-Super Bowl schedule (preferred option)

The 2024 Daytona 500 will be broadcast in 26 languages across more than 190 countries and territories, available on FOX, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in the United States.

Kennedy emphasized that any schedule changes must also consider the broader season calendar, including broadcast partner transitions between FOX and Amazon, along with other media partners.

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