My $0.02 worth..........
Daytona and Talladega may have been interesting races in the past, when the drivers were actually on and off the gas, rather than simply "flat-footing" it around, drafting and blocking for position. Also, 500 miles, in the past, added the endurance of the cars, as a factor in the race, and since the cars were "more stock" than they are now, yes, I could understand the reason behind that distance. Today, the cars are much more robust, and FAR from stock.
Therefore, I personally think that the races should be cut back to 300 miles, and the banking at Daytona should be knocked down to something more like Atlanta. How to eliminate the "draft-fest", which, in turn, leads to the "wreck-fest", I don't have an answer. My opinion of the race, overall, was something less than great. Yeah, there was some good racing, here and there, but it was overshadowed by all the carnage.