The 1988 Daytona 500, the 30th running of the event, was held February 14, 1988, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, as the first race of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup season. Bobby Allison won his third Daytona 500 victory while Ken Schrader won the pole.

First Daytona 500 starts for Dale Jarrett, Brett Bodine, and Phil Barkdoll. Only Daytona 500 starts for Brad Teague, Steve Moore, Ed Pimm, and Rick Jeffrey. Last Daytona 500 starts for Bobby Allison, Trevor Boys, Ralph Jones, Benny Parsons, Cale Yarborough, and Connie Saylor.