2002 Daytona 500

The 2002 Daytona 500, the 44th running of the event, was held on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. The race was won by Ward Burton. Rookie Jimmie Johnson won the pole, with fellow Daytona 500 rookie Kevin Harvick qualifying second, the first time the field would be led by two first-time Daytona 500 drivers. The race was the last for long-time veteran driver Dave Marcis.

As part of the television contract signed at the end of the 2000 NASCAR season, the 2002 Daytona 500 was televised by NBC. Allen Bestwick provided the play-by-play in the booth alongside color commentators Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach, Jr.. The prerace show was hosted by Bill Weber, who reported from the pits with Matt Yocum, Marty Snider, and Dave Burns. This was the first time NBC televised the Daytona 500.