How Much Does a Daytona 500 NASCAR Cost?

A race-ready NASCAR Cup Series “Next Gen” car prepared for the Daytona 500 typically costs about $300,000–$450,000 for the hardware alone, and fielding it for the event (engine lease, tires, spares, crew, travel, and logistics) often brings the single-race outlay into the $500,000–$1 million range for competitive teams. For fans, face-value tickets generally run roughly $135–$455 for reserved grandstands, with premium hospitality stretching into the $800–$1,800+ range, and full trip costs varying widely based on travel and lodging. Below is a detailed breakdown of what “cost” can mean—whether you’re building the car, entering the race, sponsoring a team, or simply attending the Great American Race.

What “How Much Does a Daytona 500 NASCAR Cost?” Can Mean

People use the question to mean different things: the price to build or field the Cup car that competes in the Daytona 500; the team’s total one-race operating budget; the price of a ticket or travel package for fans; or the price to sponsor a car for the sport’s biggest event. Each carries a different answer, and each is shaped by 2025-era “Next Gen” rules, demand-based ticketing, and supply chain realities.

The Car: Cost to Build and Field a Next Gen Daytona 500 Entry

Race-ready hardware (roller) cost

The “roller” refers to a complete car minus the engine and consumables. The Next Gen platform uses a common chassis and many spec components, which helps cap—but doesn’t eliminate—costs. Here’s how teams typically arrive at the roller’s total.

• Common chassis and composite body panels: approximately $90,000–$125,000
• Suspension, steering, uprights, dampers, and related spec parts: approximately $80,000–$120,000
• Xtrac 5-speed transaxle and driveline components: approximately $35,000–$45,000
• Brakes (calipers, rotors, lines, pedal box): approximately $15,000–$25,000
• Cooling, fuel system, and miscellaneous ancillaries: approximately $10,000–$20,000
• Electronics (ECU, wiring, radios, cameras), data/logging: approximately $20,000–$40,000
• Safety systems (seat, head surround, harnesses, fire system, foam): approximately $10,000–$20,000
• Superspeedway-specific aero kit and setup items: approximately $20,000–$35,000

Summed together, a roller suitable for Daytona typically lands in the $300,000–$350,000 range before the engine, tires, and other race-week consumables are added.

One-race operating costs (Daytona 500 week)

Beyond the roller, teams spend heavily on the engine, consumables, spares, crew, and logistics to contest the 500, Duels, and practice/qualifying sessions.

• Engine lease for a Daytona superspeedway build: approximately $90,000–$140,000
• Tires (Goodyear, 18-inch): roughly $500–$550 per tire; 10–14 sets used can total approximately $20,000–$35,000
• Wheels and pit equipment wear/refresh: approximately $5,000–$15,000
• Spares (nose/tail, suspension, gearbox components): approximately $50,000–$150,000
• Entry fees, hauler fuel, pit/garage support costs: approximately $15,000–$40,000
• Crew travel, lodging, per diem (race engineers, mechanics, pit crew): approximately $40,000–$120,000

When combined, total one-race operating costs for Daytona commonly fall between $200,000 and $600,000, depending on team size, spares strategy, and competitiveness goals—pushing the full “car + event” spend close to $500,000–$1 million for top programs.

The Fan View: What It Costs to Attend the Daytona 500

Tickets and packages

Prices vary by section, demand, and purchase timing. Face value is typically cheaper than the secondary market. Families will also find limited youth pricing in select sections.

• Reserved grandstand seats (face value): approximately $135–$455, depending on sightlines and sections
• UNOH Fanzone/garage add-on: approximately $75–$130
• Premium clubs and hospitality (food, drinks, lounges): approximately $800–$1,800+ per person
• Speedweeks multi-day ticket bundles: approximately $215–$700, depending on included events
• Infield/RV camping (Speedweeks duration): approximately $1,200–$3,500+ based on location and hookups
• Reserved parking near the venue: approximately $40–$60; free lots with shuttles are often available

Buying early through Daytona International Speedway typically offers the best selection and pricing; premium hospitality and infield camping sell out first and can be significantly higher on resale platforms.

Travel and on-site expenses

Trip budgets swing widely with flight choices, hotel distance, and how many days you attend. Here are representative ranges for a typical race-weekend visit.

• Flights to Central Florida (Daytona, Orlando, Sanford): approximately $200–$500+ domestic round-trip
• Hotels: approximately $180–$350 per night in broader area; $300–$600+ near the beach/track on race weekend
• Rideshare/parking shuttles: approximately $20–$60 each way, depending on distance and surge
• Food and beverages at track: approximately $25–$60 per person per session
• Merchandise (hats, shirts, diecasts): approximately $30–$150+ per item

For a couple attending race day with mid-tier seats, a modest Fanzone add-on, two hotel nights, and local ground transport, a realistic all-in budget often lands in the $1,000–$2,000 range before flights.

Sponsorship and Team Budgets: What Brands Pay

Beyond car and ticket prices, the Daytona 500 is the sport’s most visible stage, and that visibility commands premium sponsorship rates. Figures vary sharply by team stature and expected performance.

• Primary hood/side sponsorship (Daytona 500 only): approximately $500,000–$1.5 million for mid-field teams; $1.5 million–$3 million for top-tier, high-visibility teams
• Associate sponsorships (quarter panels, TV-visible placements): approximately $50,000–$250,000+ for the Daytona 500
• Season-long primary sponsorship (multiple races): commonly eight figures, roughly $10 million–$25 million depending on team and inventory
• Charter valuations (context for team economics): commonly cited in the $30 million–$40 million range in recent transactions

These figures illustrate why a single Daytona 500 activation can be a fraction of a larger, multi-race brand strategy—and why teams pursue multi-partner lineups to fund a full season.

Why Prices Vary in 2025

Several dynamics shape the 2025 landscape: standardized Next Gen parts that balance cost control with competition goals; the superspeedway-specific builds for Daytona; demand-based ticket pricing; and broader travel and supply-chain costs. Teams with deeper spares pools and data resources spend more to reduce risk and gain incremental speed; fans see price swings based on timing, seat location, and whether they opt for hospitality or camping.

Bottom Line

If you’re asking about the car, expect roughly $300,000–$450,000 for the hardware and up to about $1 million all-in to field a competitive entry for the week. If you’re attending, plan on roughly $135–$455 per reserved seat at face value, with premium experiences and travel potentially pushing a weekend into four figures. For sponsors, the Daytona 500 remains the priciest single-race buy in NASCAR, reflecting the event’s unrivaled reach.

Summary

A Daytona 500 “NASCAR” can mean many things. For teams, a Next Gen Daytona-ready car costs in the mid-six figures, and a full one-race campaign often approaches $500,000–$1 million. For fans, ticket prices typically start in the mid-$100s and scale into premium hospitality, with total trip budgets varying by travel and lodging. For brands, the Daytona 500’s exposure drives the highest single-race sponsorship fees on the calendar. Understanding which “cost” you mean helps set the right expectations—whether you’re building, buying, sponsoring, or simply showing up to enjoy racing’s biggest day.

How much does a Daytona NASCAR cost?

How much are tickets to DAYTONA 500? DAYTONA 500 Ticket Packages from On Location start at around $900 per person and offer so much more than just a ticket.

Is the 2025 Daytona 500 sold out?

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 13, 2025) – Daytona International Speedway announced today that the 67th running of the DAYTONA 500 is officially sold out, with fans expected to pack the historic racing venue once again for NASCAR’s 2025 season opener.

How much is a beer at Daytona 500?

A specific, up-to-date price for a beer at the Daytona 500 isn’t available, but you can expect prices to be in the range of other large sporting events, likely around $8-$15, though they can be higher or lower depending on the vendor and the type of beer. To save money, you can bring your own beer in a soft-sided cooler (14-inch max dimensions) with no glass. 
Factors influencing beer prices: 

• Vendor: Different concessions within the speedway may have different pricing structures.
• Type of beer: Standard domestic beers will be less expensive than craft or imported options.
• Event day: Prices can sometimes fluctuate based on demand for the event.

How to find specific pricing: 

• Check the official Daytona International Speedway website: For the most accurate and current information.
• Download the official event app: This may have real-time concession information available.

Save money by bringing your own: 

• You are permitted to bring a soft-sided cooler (14 inches or smaller in all dimensions) into the frontstretch seating areas.
• The cooler can contain unopened beverages and food, but no glass bottles.

What is the most expensive NASCAR race to go to?

Number two the average ticket to the Bowen Grey Club cash was about $245. Although the cheapest available seats were considerably. Lower only going for $100 in the backstretch.