The 53rd Daytona 500 NASCAR race takes place on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. A total of 43 stock car drivers from around the world will compete in the event, which opens the 2011 NASCAR season. The race airs on FOX and begins at a time yet to be announced.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2011/DAYTONA-500/DAYTONA-500.aspx

The Daytona 500 is considered "NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race" and includes a variety of events part of Speedweeks that take place before the race. Among other festivities, the Budweiser Shootout and Gatorade Duel take place prior to the race at the newly re-paved Daytona International Speedway.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/08/Tradition-Continues-At-Daytona-International-Speedway.aspx

The field for the Daytona 500 is determined two ways, in Daytona 500 qualifying and in the Gatorade Duel at Daytona twin races. On Sunday, February 13, 2011, NASCAR drivers will participate in the Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger to determine the front row of the 2011 Daytona 500 lineup. Two 150-mile races follow on Thursday, February 17, 2011, when the Gatorade Duel at Daytona takes place to finalize the field for the race.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/08/Tradition-Continues-At-Daytona-International-Speedway.aspx

The 43 drivers in the Daytona 500 go on to compete in a 200-lap, 500-mile race to determine the Daytona 500 winner for 2011.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/08/Tradition-Continues-At-Daytona-International-Speedway.aspx The race will begin with the singing of the National Anthem and a flyover from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/12/Thunderbirds-release.aspx