Daytona purse reaches record proportions.

The 46th annual Daytona 500, the biggest and most prestigious race in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, will boast the biggest purse in the history of stock car racing.

NASCAR has revealed that the rewards for success at this year's Daytona 500 will total $15,972,313 - an increase of nearly $2million over last year's total of $14,030,129.

"The Daytona 500 is the ultimate prize in stock car racing," Speedway president Robin Braig said, "It only stands to reason that the biggest race of the year commands the biggest purse."

The first driver to take the chequered flag in the 500 will pocket a minimum of $1,391,730, while second, third, fourth and fifth will receive a minimum of $986,325, $693,550, $541,750 and $413,950 respectively. The last-place finisher in the season's first point-scoring event will earn a minimum of $177,058.