The Most Popular NASCAR Race, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the race you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 15, 2024 07:27
In the world of motorsports, NASCAR races stand out for their intense speed, thrilling finishes, and passionate fan base. Understanding which races capture the hearts of fans can provide insights into what makes a NASCAR event particularly special or exciting. It also highlights trends in fan preferences, which can influence future events.
By participating in this ranked list, you contribute to a broader understanding of NASCAR's most engaging races. Each vote helps to shape a clearer picture of the community's favorites, offering a unique fan-driven perspective on the sport. So cast your vote today and see how your favorite stacks up against others.
What Is the Most Popular NASCAR Race?
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158votes
Daytona 500
Bill France Sr.The Daytona 500 is considered the most prestigious race in NASCAR and is the season-opening race. It draws a large crowd and has a history of exciting finishes.The Daytona 500 is a thrilling and prestigious NASCAR race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is considered one of the most exciting and important races in the NASCAR Cup Series.- Location: Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida
- Distance: 500 miles (200 laps)
- Track Type: 2.5-mile tri-oval superspeedway
- Inaugural Race: February 22, 1959
- Prize Money: Over $18 million (2021)
Daytona 500 in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most fun NASCAR race
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227votesThe Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar and is held on Memorial Day weekend. It is also one of the sport's crown jewel events.The Coca-Cola 600 is an annual NASCAR Cup Series race held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It is one of the most prestigious and longest-running races on the NASCAR calendar, known for its endurance and challenging nature. The race consists of 400 laps covering a distance of 600 miles, hence the name Coca-Cola 600.
- Race Length: 600 miles
- Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Location: Concord, North Carolina
- Race Type: Oval
- Track Surface: Asphalt
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329votes
Will Pittenger · Public domainBrickyard 400
Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayHeld at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400 is one of the most prestigious races on the NASCAR schedule. The track is steeped in racing history and draws a large crowd.The Brickyard 400 is an annual NASCAR Cup Series race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It is one of the most popular races in NASCAR as it combines the thrill of stock car racing with the historic and iconic setting of the Brickyard.- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- First Race: 1994
- Track Surface: Asphalt
- Track Length: 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
- Race Distance: 400 miles (640 km)
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420votes
Pitlane02 · CC BY-SA 3.0Southern 500
Harold BrasingtonThe Southern 500 is one of the oldest races on the NASCAR schedule, dating back to 1950. It is held at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina and is known for its unique egg-shaped track.The Southern 500 is one of the most iconic and prestigious races in NASCAR. It is held annually at the Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.- Location: Darlington, South Carolina
- Track length: 1.366 miles (2.198 kilometers)
- Race distance: 500 miles (804 kilometers)
- First race: 1950
- Surface: Asphalt
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515votesThe All-Star Race is a non-points exhibition race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It features the sport's top drivers and is known for its unique format and exciting racing.The All-Star Race is an annual exhibition race in NASCAR that brings together some of the sport's top drivers for an exciting and non-points event. It is known for its unique format and thrilling action on the track.
- Race Distance: Varies, typically around 80-100 laps
- Track: Changes annually, held at various NASCAR tracks
- Invitations: Drivers who have won a NASCAR Cup Series race in the previous year, past All-Star Race winners, previous Cup Series champions, and selected fan vote winners
- Format: Multiple segments, including mandatory pit stops, eliminations, and a final shootout
- No Points: The race does not award any championship points
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612votes
Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Texas Motor Speedway
Speedway Motorsports, Inc.The Texas Motor Speedway is one of the most popular tracks on the NASCAR circuit. It features high speeds and exciting racing and draws a large crowd each year.Texas Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile oval-shaped race track located in Fort Worth, Texas. It is known as one of the most popular and prestigious NASCAR race tracks in the United States, attracting thousands of fans each year.- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
- Track Shape: Oval
- Track Length: 1.5 miles
- Banking: Turns: 20 degrees, Front stretch: 5 degrees, Back stretch: 7 degrees
- Capacity: Approximately 181,655
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716votes
AuburnPilot · Public domainTalladega Superspeedway is known for its high banks and high speeds. It is a fan favorite and draws a large crowd each year.Talladega Superspeedway is a renowned NASCAR racetrack situated in Talladega, Alabama, USA. It is famous for its high-banked turns and high speeds, providing exhilarating and intense racing action.- Location: Talladega, Alabama, USA
- Surface: Asphalt
- Track length: 2.66 miles (4.28 km)
- Turn banking: 33 degrees
- Frontstretch length: 4,000 feet (1,200 m)
Talladega Superspeedway in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most fun NASCAR race
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87votes
Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 4.0Charlotte Motor Speedway
Bruton SmithCharlotte Motor Speedway is one of the most iconic tracks on the NASCAR circuit. It hosts the Coca-Cola 600 and the All-Star Race and draws a large crowd for both events.The Charlotte Motor Speedway is a premier motorsports facility located in Concord, North Carolina. It is a 1.5-mile quad-oval track that primarily hosts NASCAR events, including the iconic Coca-Cola 600 race.- Location: Concord, North Carolina
- Track Length: 1.5 miles
- Shape: Quad-oval
- Banking: 24 degrees in turns
- Surface: Asphalt
Charlotte Motor Speedway in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most fun NASCAR race
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95votes
CDJudd76 · CC BY-SA 3.0Bristol Motor Speedway
Larry CarrierBristol Motor Speedway is known as "The Last Great Colosseum" and is one of the most popular tracks on the NASCAR circuit. It features tight racing and close-quarters action, and draws a large crowd each year.The Bristol Motor Speedway is a legendary NASCAR racing track located in Bristol, Tennessee. It is known for its high-banked, short-track design that provides an intense and action-packed racing experience. The track has a seating capacity of over 140,000, making it one of the largest sports venues in the United States. Bristol Motor Speedway has become synonymous with close-quarter racing and thrilling action, earning the nickname 'The Last Great Colosseum'.- Location: Bristol, Tennessee
- Track Type: Short track
- Banking: Progressive banking: 24-28 degrees in the corners and 4-8 degrees on the straightaways
- Seating Capacity: Over 140,000
- Track Length: 0.533 miles (0.858 km)
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106votes
Phoenix Raceway
Buddy JobePhoenix Raceway is known for its unique layout and exciting racing. It hosts the season-ending championship race, which adds to its popularity.Phoenix Raceway is a popular NASCAR race track located in Avondale, Arizona. It is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval track that offers thrilling races for fans and exhilarating challenges for drivers. The track layout features progressive banking, providing multiple racing lines and overtaking opportunities. With its unique design and exciting atmosphere, Phoenix Raceway has become a favorite among both drivers and spectators.- First race: 1964
- Track length: 1 mile (1.6 km)
- Banking: 11 to 9 degrees in turns, 3 degrees on the frontstretch
- Surface: Asphalt
- Capacity: 42,000
Phoenix Raceway in other rankings- Position 10 of 10 in Most fun NASCAR race
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular race
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AttendanceThe number of spectators attending the race is a crucial factor for determining its popularity. Higher attendance figures generally indicate a more popular event.
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Television RatingsTV ratings provide insight into how many viewers are tuning in to watch the race. This information can be used to gauge overall interest in the event and its popularity among fans.
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Fan EngagementInteraction on social media, website traffic, and merchandise sales are all indicators of fan interest in a particular race. High levels of fan engagement suggest a more popular event.
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CompetitivenessRaces with close competition, numerous lead changes, and exciting finishes typically garner more attention and fan interest. A race with more on-track action can be more appealing to viewers and fans.
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Driver PopularityThe racers participating in the event can also impact the race's popularity. If a race features popular drivers or intense rivalries, it may draw more attention from fans.
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Sponsorship and AdvertisingProminent sponsorship deals and advertising campaigns can also affect a race's popularity. Big-name sponsors and effective marketing can help raise the profile of a race and attract more fans.
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Local InterestThe location of the race can play a role in its popularity, too. Races that take place in areas with a significant fan base or strong local support are likely to be more popular.
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Media CoverageThe amount of media coverage a race receives before, during, and after the event can impact its popularity. Races that garner widespread coverage and attention are typically more popular among fans.
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Purses and Prize MoneyThe amount of prize money on offer can also influence the popularity of a race. Events with higher purses will often draw more attention, as drivers compete to earn substantial rewards.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular NASCAR race. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or racing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1623 views
- 192 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each racing once every 24 hours. The rank of each racing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular nascar race
NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is a popular motorsport that originated in the United States. It involves high-speed races featuring customized stock cars, with drivers competing in events across the country. NASCAR events are known for their intense and competitive atmosphere, drawing in millions of fans both in-person and through media coverage. With so many races held each year, it can be difficult to determine which one stands out as the most popular among fans. However, through StrawPoll's data and insights, we've been able to identify the top NASCAR races that have captured the hearts and attention of racing enthusiasts.
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