FORT WORTH, Texas – More than 1,800 tailgaters and 275 RVs already have confirmed their attendance for what will arguably be the nation’s largest Daytona 500 Watching Party on the world’s largest TV for NASCAR’s season-opening weekend.

Texas Motor Speedway will open its infield Feb. 25-26 for its annual Daytona 500 Watching Party that will provide race fans a free opportunity to camp or tailgate inside the 1.5-mile speedway and watch the racing action from Daytona Beach, Fla., on the 12-story tall, high-definition TV known as “Big Hoss” located on the backstretch.

The two-day event, which is open to the public, begins when the South Tunnel opens Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8 a.m. CT for those looking to camp overnight as well as those tailgaters interested in watching the season-opening XFINITY Series Powershares QQQ 300 race from Daytona beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT. The weekend culminates with the running of the Daytona 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26, beginning at 1 p.m.

Fans interested in camping or tailgating must RSVP at www.texasmotorspeedway.com/DaytonaRSVP before Monday. Tailgating spots for 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 include 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.; a weekend-long cornhole tournament; and the opportunity to buy season or individual tickets, including the “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” 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