Daytona 500 set for a week later in 2027
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona International Speedway announced Wednesday the Daytona 500 will take a place a week later than usual in 2027.
The 2027 Daytona 500 will take place Feb. 21, a week after President’s Day. That avoids a conflict with the Super Bowl.
Every modern era Daytona 500 took place on Presidents’ Day weekend until 2012 when it moved a week later in anticipation of the NFL extending its season and creating a conflict. The first year marked the first time the race didn’t run on its scheduled day but four of the next 500s on the weekend ran on time.
The Daytona 500 moved back to Presidents’ Day weekend in 2018 when the NFL didn’t move forward with extension plans. Talks of those plans have recently fired up again, moving the race back to a week after Presidents’ Day weekend.
Only one Daytona 500 has taken place on Feb. 21. Denny Hamlin won the 2016 Daytona 500 in a photo finish over Martin Truex Jr. on that date.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ben Rhodes’ birthday is also on Feb. 21.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com