Making this event even more spectacular is the fact that all 24 previous Daytona 500 winners will be in attendance this year. Daytona International plans to be packed, as fans flock in from all over the world to watch this once in a lifetime event. And with record cold temperatures in many places this winter, who can blame them?

Fans are making preparations for Daytona well in advance this year as they are forecasting a record turnout. Speedweek is again stacked full of excitement and events for fans of all ages. All the historic NASCAR Daytona 500 champions will be in attendance this year to help everyone celebrate which is aiding in the estimated turnout.

This years DIRECTV Speedweek Schedule is packed full of NASCAR events. Here is a summary of events from the official Daytona 500 website. This schedule will be jam packed of excitement throughout the week.

02/07/2008 - 12:00 Noon to 5PM ARCA Practice
02/07/2008 - 7:00 PM NSCS Drawing for Budweiser Shootout- Located Outside Turn Four on the "Speed" stage
02/08/2008 - 12:00 Noon ARCA Qualifying (Two Laps, All Positions)
02/08/2008 - 4:15 to 5:00PM NSCS Budweiser Shootout Practice
02/08/2008 - 5:10 to 6:15 PM ARCA Final Practice
02/08/2008 - 6:30 to 7:30 PM NSCS Budweiser Shootout Final Practice
02/09/2008 - 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM NSCS Practice
02/09/2008 - 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM NSCS Practice
02/09/2008 - 3:30 PM ARCA Driver Introductions
02/09/2008 - 4:15 PM ARCA 200 (80laps, 200 miles)
02/09/2008 - 8:00 PM NSCS Driver Introductions for the 30th annual Budweiser Shootout
02/09/2008 - 8:30 PM NSCS Budweiser Shootout
02/10/2008 - 1:15 PM NSCS Daytona 500 Qualifying presented by Kroger (Two Laps, Two Positions)
02/11/2008 - All Day Richard Petty Driving Experience
02/13/2008 - 12:00 Noon to 12:55 PM NSCS Practice
02/13/2008 - 2:05 to 2:55 PM NSCS (final practice before Gatorade Duels)
02/13/2008 - 3:00 PM to 4:20 PM NNS Practice
02/13/2008 - 4:30 PM to 5:30PM NCTS Practice
02/14/2008 - 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM NNS Final Practice
02/14/2008 - 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM NCTS Final Practice
02/14/2008 - 1:30 PM NSCS Driver Introductions for the Gatorade Duels
02/14/2008 - 2:00 PM NSCS Gatorade Duels 150 Mile Qualifying Races (60 laps - 150 miles, each race)
02/14/2008 - 7:10 PM NCTS Qualifying (All Positions)
02/15/2008 - 1:40 PM to 2:40 PM NSCS Practice
02/15/2008 - 3:10 PM NNS Qualifying (All Positions)
02/15/2008 - 7:30 PM NCTS Driver Introductions for the Chevy Silverado 250
02/15/2008 - 8:00 PM NCTS Chevy Silverado 250 race (100 laps, 250 miles)
02/16/2008 - 10:35 AM to 11:55 AM NSCS Final Practice for the 50th Running of the Daytona 500
02/16/2008 - 12:45 PM NNS Driver Introductions for the Camping World 300 presented by Chevy
02/16/2008 -1:15 PM NNS 50th annual Camping World 300 presented by Chevy race (120 laps, 300 miles)
02/17/2008 -2:30 PM NSCS Driver Introductions for the 50th Running of the Daytona 500
02/17/2008 -3:30 PM NSCS 50th Running of the Daytona 500

If you can't be in Daytona in February you don't have to miss out on the NASCAR action (you may have to miss the warm weather). In fact, some fans at home will have better seats for the 50th Daytona 500 than the fans in the bleachers at Daytona International. Subscribers to DIRECTV's NASCAR HotPass will be able to experience this historic race in an intense high-definition fashion. This sports package gives viewers access to 28 camera angels, covering four of the top drivers at the Daytona 500. In addition to the in-car camera, there is a pit box camera, a pit crew shoulder camera, and overhead corner cameras in turns 1 and 3. On top of all of this, two announcers will focus on each of the four drivers, as well as communications between the driver, his spotter, and the team. And, for the first time this year, DIRECTV will also feature selected driver-team communications for drivers that are not one of the four featured drivers.

The Daytona 500 truly is just the start of the season. DIRECTV's NASCAR HotPass will feature 36 races in all, every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points race of 2008 all being broadcast not only in HD, but also including the extra cameras and the focus on four of the hottest drivers each week. NASCAR HotPass is the best way for the die-hard NASCAR fan to follow their favorite driver through the whole NASCAR Sprint Cup series.

In addition to NASCAR Hotpass, DirecTV offers the Hotpass Zone on their web site, which will have added features and all sorts of extra material for the fan who just can't get enough.

About this guest author: Whitney Alen is a Direct TV expert and has over 10 years experience in the satellite TV industry