The 2013 Daytona 500, the 55th running of the event, was held on February 24, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida over 200 laps on the 2.5-mile (4 km) asphalt tri-oval. It was the first race of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series championship. Danica Patrick won the pole for the race, becoming the first female to earn a pole position in NASCAR's highest division. She also had the best-ever finish by a woman at the Daytona 500, finishing in eighth place. Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports won the race, his first win of the season and his second career win in the Great American Race, while Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finished second for the second consecutive time and Mark Martin finished third.