Is this the first time in world history that they have had to stop the Daytona 500 race?

Yes, the Daytona 500 has been halted for significant reasons in the past, including weather-related issues and accidents. However, if you're referring to a specific recent event, please provide more context, as my data only goes up to October 2023 and I may not have the latest updates. Historically, such interruptions have occurred, but the circumstances and frequency vary.