FORT WORTH, Texas – It appears that the only watching party for NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 on Sunday that will be bigger than the one in the Texas Motor Speedway infield fittingly will be at Daytona International Speedway. 

Nearly 3,000 tailgaters and 400 RVs already have confirmed their attendance at Texas Motor Speedway for what will be the nation’s largest Daytona 500 Watching Party on the world’s largest TV for NASCAR’s season-opening weekend in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Texas Motor Speedway will open its infield Saturday and Sunday for its annual Daytona 500 Watching Party that will provide race fans an opportunity to camp or tailgate inside the 1.5-mile speedway and watch the racing action from Daytona International Speedway on the 12-story tall, high-definition TV known as “Big Hoss” located on the backstretch.

The free two-day event is open to the general public.

The infield’s South Tunnel, located off Highway 114 on the speedway’s Allison Ave. entrance, opens 8 a.m. CT Saturday for those looking to camp overnight or tailgaters interested in watching the season-opening XFINITY Series Powershares QQQ 300 race from Daytona beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports 1. The weekend culminates with the running of the Daytona 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. on FOX.

For those who did not RSVP in advance, fans are still welcome to attend as the tailgating spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The first 500 campers/tailgaters to arrive during the weekend will receive a complimentary O’Reilly Auto Parts tailgate goodie bag.

The weekend also will be highlighted by live musical entertainment from country artists Larry Joe Taylor, Brad Puckett and Deryl Dodd following the conclusion of the XFINITY Series race; the comedy classic “Stroker Ace” on “Big Hoss” at approximately 8:30 p.m. following the concerts; two-day cornhole tournament; and the opportunity to buy season or individual tickets, including the “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” BOGO promotion for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, April 9, that starts at $69.

For a complete Daytona 500 Watching Party schedule, visit www.texasmotorspeedway.com or download Texas Motor Speedway’s free mobile app.

Story and photo courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway Media Relations Department.