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| Venue | Daytona International Speedway |
| Corporate sponsor | None |
| First race | 1959 |
| Distance | 500 miles (805 km) |
| Number of laps | 200 |
| Previous names | First Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes (1959) Second Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes (1960) Daytona 500 by STP (1991-1993) Daytona 500 by Dodge (2001) |
The Daytona 500 is a 200-lap, 500 mile (805 km) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. NASCAR national series race tracks The following is a list of race tracks currently used by NASCAR as part of its Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, Daytona International Speedway is a Superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ( NASCAR) is the largest sanctioning body of Stock cars in the United States. Daytona International Speedway is a Superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule. A Restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power In 2008, the race celebrated its 50th running.
The Daytona 500 is regarded by many as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar, carrying by far the largest purse. Championship points awarded are equal to that of any other Sprint Cup race. It is also NASCAR's first race of the year; this phenomenon is virtually unique in sports, which tend to have championships or other major events at the end of the season rather than the start. Since 1995, U. S. television ratings for the Daytona 500 have been the highest for any auto race of the year, surpassing the traditional leader, the Indianapolis 500 which has a much larger in track attendance. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American The 2006 Daytona 500 attracted the sixth largest average live global TV audience of any sporting event that year with 20 million viewers. [1]
The event serves as the final event of Speedweeks and is known as "The Great American Race" and the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing. professional American football, the Super Bowl is the Championship game of the National Football League (NFL " It is held the third or second Sunday in February, and since 1971, has been loosely associated with Presidents Day weekend. Washington's Birthday is a United States Federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February
The winner of the Daytona 500 is presented with the Harley J. Earl Trophy in Victory Lane, and the winning car is displayed, in race-winning condition, for one year at Daytona 500 Experience, a museum and gallery adjacent to Daytona International Speedway. The Harley J Earl Trophy is the trophy presented to the winner of NASCAR 's premier event the Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 Experience, formerly known as Daytona USA, is an interactive motorsports attraction ("The Official Attraction of NASCAR" located at Daytona
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The race is the direct successor of shorter races held on Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach Road Course was a Race track that was instrumental in the formation of NASCAR. This long square was partially on the sand and also on the highway near the beach. Earlier events featured 200 mile (320 km) races with stock cars. These cars were equipped with wipers and radiators to combat the sand they faced. Eventually, the 500 was held and has been held at Daytona International Speedway since its inaugural run in 1959. Daytona International Speedway is a Superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. By 1961, it began to be referred to by its commonly known monikor, the "Daytona 500. "[2]
Lee Petty, patriarch of a famous racing family whose most renowned member was his son Richard Petty, won the 1959 Daytona 500 on February 22, 1959 defeating Johnny Beauchamp in a highly unusual manner. Lee Arnold Petty ( March 14, 1914 near Randleman North Carolina – April 5, 2000) was an American Stock car driver in Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series The 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes (now known as the 1959 Daytona 500) was the second race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Johnny Beauchamp ( March 23 1923 &ndash April 17 1981) was an American NASCAR racer from Harlan Iowa. Petty and Beauchamp were lapping Joe Weatherly at the finish, when officials initially called Beauchamp the winner as the three cars crossed the line. Joe Weatherly ( May 29, 1922 - January 19, 1964) was a two-time NASCAR championship driver After reviewing photographs and film of the finish for three days, the call was reversed, and Petty was awarded the win.
In 1960, Junior Johnson, driving a year-old car, won despite being slower than the lead cars. Robert Glen Johnson Jr (born June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County North Carolina) known as Junior Johnson, was a Moonshiner in the He used the draft, then a new phenomenon, to keep up with the leaders.
After 3 years of being the best driver never to win the Daytona 500, Fireball Roberts came to the 1962 edition race of the 500 on a hot roll, he won the American Challenge for winners of 1961 NASCAR events, the pole position for the 500, and the Twin-100 mile qualifier. Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts Jr ( January 20, 1929 – July 2, 1964) was one of the pioneering race car drivers of In the race, he dominated the race leading 144 of the 200 laps and finally won his first (and eventually his only) Daytona 500 win.
In 1963, it was Tiny Lund who took the victory for the Wood Brothers, however the real drama began a couple weeks before the race when Lund helped pull 1961 winner Marvin Panch from a burning sportscar at a considerable risk to himself. DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund ( November 14, 1929 in Harlan Iowa &ndash August 17, 1975 at Talladega Superspeedway Marvin Panch (born May 28, 1926, in Menomonie Wisconsin) is a former NASCAR driver As a result of his heroism, the Wood Brothers asked Lund to replace Panch in the 500 and Lund took the car to the winner's circle.
Driving a potent Plymouth with the new Hemi engine, Richard Petty led 184 of the 200 laps to win the 1964 Daytona 500 going away. Plymouth ( is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England about south west of London. A Hemi engine (from hemisphere) is an Internal-combustion engine in which the Combustion chambers are of hemispherical form Plymouths ran 1-2-3 at the finish. The triumph was Petty's first on a super-speedway.
The first rain-shortened Daytona 500 was the 1965 event. Leader Marvin Panch and Fred Lorenzen made contact on Lap 129, as rain began to fall; Panch spun out, and Lorenzen won when the race was finally called on Lap 133. Fred Lorenzen (born December 30, 1934 in Elmhurst Illinois) is a former NASCAR driver The 1966 500, won by Richard Petty, was also shortened, to 198 laps, due to rain. Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series [3]
The 1967 race saw Mario Andretti dominate the race. Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is an Italian American former racecar driver and one of the most successful Americans in the He led 112 of the 200 laps including the last 33 laps to capture his only NASCAR Grand National win.
The 1968 race saw a duel involving Cale Yarborough and LeeRoy Yarbrough. William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Lonnie Yarbrough (born September 17, 1938 in Jacksonville Florida, died December 7, 1984) was a NASCAR racer For much of the day, both drivers traded the lead. With 5 laps to go, Yarborough made a successful slingshot pass on the third turn to take the lead from Yarbrough and never look back as he won his first Daytona 500 by 1. 3 seconds. However, LeeRoy Yarbrough would make Charlie Glotzbach suffer the same fate the next year, winning the 1969 Daytona 500 on the last lap. Charlie Glotzbach (born June 19, 1938) is a former ARCA and NASCAR driver who competed in NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup (now Sprint
The 1970s open with Cale Yarborough setting the pace as he qualified with a 194. William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and 015 mph, and was on the pole. Fate played a major role in the 1970 race, claiming one driver after another as soon as the green flag fell. Richard Petty, then Yarborough who dropped out after leading 26 of the first 31 laps, Donnie Allison, and A.J. Foyt also dropped out of the race. Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr (born January 16, 1935, in Houston, Texas) is a retired American Automobile racing driver Later in the race, Pete Hamilton an unknown driver prior to this race, was challenging for the lead with the likes of Charlie Glotzbach and David Pearson. Pete Hamilton (born July 20, 1942 in Newton, Massachusetts) is a retired American NASCAR racer Charlie Glotzbach (born June 19, 1938) is a former ARCA and NASCAR driver who competed in NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup (now Sprint On lap 192, Hamilton passed Pearson for the lead, and although Pearson tried valiantly to gain the lead, it was Hamilton who took the checkered flag in front of then the largest crowd to ever seen the Daytona 500 (an estimated 103,800). It was the first of 4 victories Hamilton would have in his brief NASCAR career.
The 1973 race was a classic 2-car race involving Petty and Buddy Baker. In the first 150 laps of the race, Baker led for 118 of the 150 laps, but lurking was Petty, who avoided engine problems by other cars and a car crash on lap 155. After both Petty and Baker make pit stops with 10 laps to go, Petty had a 4. 4 second lap, but Baker was closing in lap by lap. By Lap 195, the lead was only 2. 5 seconds, but then Baker's engine blew, it was over for him as Petty coasted to his 4th Daytona 500 victory.
During the start of the 1974 NASCAR season, many races had their distance cut ten percent in response to the energy crisis of the year. As a result, the 1974 Daytona 500, won by Richard Petty (his second straight, making him the first driver ever to do it), was shortened to 180 laps (450 miles), as symbolically, the race "started" on Lap 21. Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series The Twin 125 qualifying races were also shortened to 45 laps (112. 5 miles). [4]
In 1975, it appeared David Pearson was on his way to his first Daytona 500 victory as he built a sizable lead on second place Benny Parsons late in the race. Benjamin Stewart Parsons ( July 12 1941 – January 16 2007) was an American NASCAR driver and later an announcer/analyst However, Richard Petty, who was several laps behind the leaders, and Parsons hooked up in a draft and began reeling in Pearson who was slowed by lapped traffic. The key moment of the race occurred two laps from the end when contact with a backmarker sent Pearson spinning on the backstretch. Parsons avoided the accident and went on to take the win.
In the 1976 500, Richard Petty was leading on the last lap when he was passed on the backstretch by David Pearson. Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series David Gene Pearson (born December 22, 1934 in Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR Racecar Petty tried to turn under Pearson coming off the final corner, but didn't clear Pearson. The contact caused the drivers to spin in to the grass in the infield just short of the finish line. Petty's car didn't start, but Pearson was able to keep his car running and limp over the finish line for the win. Many fans consider this finish to be the greatest in the history of NASCAR.
For Bobby Allison, The Daytona 500 prior to the 1978 race was not kind to him, in fact he came to the race with a 67-race winless streak but with 11 laps remaining, he pushed his Bud Moore Ford around Buddy Baker to take the lead and never look back as he captured his first Daytona 500 win. Bud Moore may refer to Bud Moore (NASCAR owner, former NASCAR owner Bud Moore Engineering, his team Bud Moore Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following For the American composer see Buddy Baker (composer. For the DC Comics character see Animal Man.
The 1979 Daytona 500 was the first 500-mile race to be broadcast live on national television. The 1979 Daytona 500 was the second race of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) season (The Indianapolis 500 was only broadcast on tape delay that evening in this era; most races were broadcast only through the final quarter to half of the race, as was the procedure for ABC's Championship Auto Racing broadcasts; with the new CBS contract, the network and NASCAR agreed to a full live broadcast. ) That telecast introduced in-car and low-level track-side cameras, which has now become standard in all sorts of automotive racing broadcasts. A final lap crash and subsequent fight between leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison (along with Donnie's brother Bobby Allison) brought national (if unwelcome) publicity to NASCAR, with the added emphasis of a snowstorm that bogged down much of the northeastern part of the United States. William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Dunkiny "Donnie" Allison (born September 7, 1939 in Miami Florida) is a former driver on the NASCAR Grand National/ Winston Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Donnie Allison was leading the race on the final lap with Yarborough drafting him tightly. As Yarborough attempted a slingshot pass at the end of the backstretch, Allison attempted to block him. Yarborough refused to give ground and as he pulled alongside Allison, his left side tires left the pavement and went into the wet and muddy infield grass. Yarborough lost control of his car and contacted Allison's car halfway down the backstretch. As both drivers tried to regain control, their cars made contact several more times before finally locking together and crashing into the outside wall in turn three. After the cars settled in the grass, Donnie Allison and Yarborough began to argue. After they had talked it out, Bobby Allison, who was lapped at that point, pulled over, began defending his brother, and a fight broke out. Richard Petty, who was over half a lap behind at the time, went on to win; with the brawl in the infield, the television audience scarcely noticed. The story was the talk of the water cooler the next day, even making the front page of The New York Times Sports section. NASCAR, as a national sport, had finally arrived after years of moonshine runners.
Buddy Baker started the decade by winning the fastest Daytona 500 in history, at 177. 602 mph (285. 809 km/h).
The 1981 event saw Richard Petty take an amazing gamble to win his 7th Daytona 500. With 24 laps to go, Petty came to the pits for his final scheduled pit stop, but instead of changing tires, only took on fuel. It worked well as Petty became the first driver to win the Daytona 500 in three different decades.
In 1983, Cale Yarborough was the first driver to run a qualifying lap over 200 mph (320 km/h) at Daytona in his #28 Hardees Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Hardee's is an American Fast-food restaurant chain located mostly in the Midwest United States and Southeast regions The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made automobile Originally introduced by Chevrolet for the 1970 model year (as competition with the Ford Thunderbird However, on his second of two qualifying laps, Yarborough crashed and flipped his car in turn four. The car had to be withdrawn, and the lap did not count. Despite the crash, Yarborough drove a back-up car (a Pontiac LeMans) to victory, taking the lead from Buddy Baker on the last lap with a duplicate of the pass he attempted on Donnie Allison in 1979. The Pontiac LeMans was a model name applied to compact and intermediate-sized Automobiles offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1962 A year later in 1984, Yarborough completed a lap of 201. 848 mph (324. 828 km/h), officially breaking the 200 mph barrier at Daytona. He won the race for the second year in a row, and fourth time in his career, with the identical last-lap pass, this time victimizing Darrell Waltrip.
In 1987, Bill Elliott qualified for the pole position at an all-time Daytona record of 210. 364 mph (338. 532 km/h). He had already won convincingly in the 1985 race, and won his second Daytona 500 in 1987 in dominating fashion.
Sandwiched between Elliott's wins, was a classic 1986 race that came down to the final 70 laps of the race (the last 70 were run under green). It was a 2-car race involving Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine. Geoffrey Bodine (born April 18, 1949 in Chemung New York) is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers ( Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine Earnhardt lead for 10 laps while Bodine lead for 60. With 3 laps to go, Earnhardt was forced to make a pit stop for a "splash 'n go". However, as Earnhardt left the pits he burned a piston, allowing Bodine to cruise to victory by 11. 26 seconds.
The 1988 Daytona 500 was the first race requiring the use of new restrictor plates, mandated because it was felt the speeds were getting too high at the super-speedways, as demonstrated at Bobby Allison's crash at Talladega in 1987. A Restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Talladega Superspeedway is a Motorsports complex located in Talladega Alabama United States Before the race, there was much uncertainty about how well these would work. In the 1988 500, Bobby Allison beat his son Davey Allison to the finish line for the win; father and son celebrated together in Victory Lane. David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Bobby Allison thus became the oldest driver to win the Daytona 500. The race is also remembered for Richard Petty's wild accident on lap 106. Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Petty spun, got airborne and tumbled along a large section of catch fence before his car came to a stop. The car was then torn nearly in half from hits by A. J. Foyt and Brett Bodine. Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr (born January 16, 1935, in Houston, Texas) is a retired American Automobile racing driver Brett Bodine (born January 11, 1959, in Chemung, New York) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and is the current driver Petty escaped without serious injury.
The 1989 event was won by Darrell Waltrip, his first Daytona 500 victory after 17 attempts. Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona (Coincidentally, the car he drove to victory, the Tide Ride, wore number 17. The Tide Ride is a nickname given to any NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car that has carried the sponsorship of the detergent brand Tide, a subsidiary of Procter & ) Fans loudly cheered the child-like exuberance of Waltrip's victory celebration. As he was being interviewed by CBS pit reporter Mike Joy, Waltrip shouted, "I won the Daytona 500! I won the Daytona 500!" Shortly after, an exuberant Waltrip performed an "Ickey Shuffle" dance in Victory Lane. Mike Joy (born November 25, 1949 in Chicago Illinois) is a TV sports announcer who currently serves as the lap-by-lap voice of FOX Sports The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After years of trying to win it, Dale Earnhardt appeared headed for certain victory in the 1990 Daytona 500 until a series of events in the closing laps. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving The 1990 Daytona 500 was run on February 18, 1990. This race was best known as the race in which a blown tire with about one mile left robbed Dale Earnhardt On lap 193 Geoff Bodine spun in the first turn, causing the third and final caution of the race. Geoffrey Bodine (born April 18, 1949 in Chemung New York) is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers ( Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine Everyone pitted except Derrike Cope, who stayed out. Derrike Cope is a race-car driver in NASCAR, best known for his win at the 1990 Daytona 500. On the lap 195 restart, Earnhardt retook and held the lead, only to puncture a tire when he drove over a piece of metal bell housing from the failed engine of Rick Wilson's car on Lap 199. The bell housing is part of the transmission system on a Gasoline (also known as Petrol) or Diesel powered Vehicle. Rick Wilson (born January 31, 1953 in Bartow Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver As Earnhardt's damaged car slowed, Cope drove past and earned his first Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) victory. It was the first of two victories for the relatively unknown Cope in the 1990 season. The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Sunday February 11 and ended on Sunday November 18. [5] In an ironic twist, the local CBS affiliate of Cope, who at the time was a resident of the Seattle suburb of Spanaway, opted to pre-empt the race to telecast a Seattle Supersonics basketball game, and the race was delayed until 3 PM US PST because of the pre-emption, following a CBS NBA telecast. The Seattle SuperSonics (also called the Seattle Sonics) were an American professional Basketball team based in Seattle Washington that played The Pacific Time Zone observes Standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time ( UTC-8)
Earnhardt didn't fare better in the 1991 race as Ernie Irvan passed Earnhardt with six laps to go to score an upset win. Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan, (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas California) is a former race driver in NASCAR Earnahrdt spun out with two laps remaining and took out Davey Allison and Kyle Petty. Kyle Richard Petty (born June 2, 1960 in Randleman North Carolina) is an American NASCAR driver the son and grandson of racers Richard Irvan cruised on the final lap as the race ended under the caution flag.
In 1992, Davey Allison dominated en route to his only Daytona 500 victory. He avoided the "Big One" on lap 92 and went on to lead the final 102 laps.
In 1993, Jeff Gordon made his first 500 start. He made quite a splash, finishing in the top five. On lap 170, trying to avoid the spinning cars of Michael Waltrip and Derrick Cope, Rusty Wallace's Pontiac lost control and cart-wheeled several times down the backstretch grass. With two laps to go and Dale Earnhardt leading, Dale Jarrett's Chevrolet was running third going into turn three. Using a push from fourth place Geoff Bodine, Jarrett went under Jeff Gordon for second and pulled even with the leader Earnhardt. They bumped and that sent the, at that time, 5 time Winston Cup Champion sliding up the track and Jarrett made the pass. In the broadcast booth, his father and former Cup Champion Ned Jarrett became his son's biggest fan on national TV. It was the fourth time Earnhardt had been leading the 500 with less than ten laps to go, but failed to win.
In 1994, there were some changes on the Cup circuit for the 500. After the deaths of Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki, some drivers changed teams. David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Alan Dennis Kulwicki (December 14 1954 &ndash April 1 1993 nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince" was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Ernie Irvan bought his way out of the number 4 Kodak Chevy to go drive Allison's old ride, the 28 Havoline Ford. Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan, (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas California) is a former race driver in NASCAR Replacing Irvan was Sterling Marlin. Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Geoff Bodine bought Alan Kulwicki's team and drove the number seven Exide Batteries Ford. Geoffrey Bodine (born April 18, 1949 in Chemung New York) is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers ( Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine Between father Coo Coo and son Sterling, the Marlin family was 0-for-443 in Winston Cup starts heading into the 36th annual Daytona 500. Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin ( January 3, 1932 – August 14, 2005) was a NASCAR Winston Cup driver who spent 14 years Driving on just hope, Marlin was able to run the final 59 laps on his tank of fuel to win it. Several other drivers also gambled on gas but weren't able to get the same mileage as Marlin. Lake Speed, running fifth at the time, ran out with three laps left. Mark Martin was third before his tank went dry with two laps to go. Irvan, the 1991 winner, drove the number 4 Chevrolet the previous season ironically finished second, . 19 seconds behind his former ride.
In 1995, Sterling Marlin amazingly became the first person to win back-to-back 500s since Cale Yarborough. Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and But this year he won on sheer horsepower and track position and not on a fuel gamble. On he final caution, Marlin's crew chief, Tony Glover, kept Marlin on the track since there were 21 cars on the lead lap at the finish. Even on old tires, he was able to fend off the charging Dale Earnhardt, who went from 14th to second on fresh tires following the final restart with 10 laps to go. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Earnhardt quickly moved past everyone but Marlin, locking onto the leader's back bumper by lap 197. Needing help to get around Marlin on the final lap, Earnhardt looked for third place Mark Martin. But Martin's car was on worn tires and he couldn't provide the needed push.
In 1996, Dale Jarrett won his second Daytona 500 in 4 years driving the number 88 Ford Quality Care Ford for Robert Yates Racing. In 1993 he drove the number 18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing.
In 1997, Jeff Gordon become the youngest driver to win the Daytona 500. Jeffery Michael Gordon Gordon and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates Terry Labonte and Ricky Craven ganged up on race leader Bill Elliott during the final ten laps. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Terrance Lee Labonte (born November 16, 1956, in Corpus Christi Texas) is a NASCAR driver who now races part-time in the Sprint Cup Series } Richard Allen Craven (born May 24 1966 in Newburgh Maine) is a former NASCAR driver William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup The race ended under the caution flag, as the teammates grabbed a 1-2-3 finish.
In 1998, Dale Earnhardt finally won the Daytona 500 after 20 years of trying. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Though Earnhardt had usually been a strong competitor in the Daytona 500, mechanical problems, crashes or bad luck had prevented him from winning the race. In 1998, however, Earnhardt was leading when Lake Speed and John Andretti made contact on Lap 198, causing the race to end under caution. Lake Chambers Speed (born on January 17, 1948) is a former NASCAR driver John Andretti (born March 12, 1963 in Bethlehem Pennsylvania) is an American race car driver After his victory, a joyous Earnhardt drove slowly down pit road, where members of other race teams had lined up to give him handshakes and high-fives. The victory was widely celebrated, even by people who weren't his fans, and was a defining moment in Earnhardt's career and legacy. [6]
In 1999, Jeff Gordon grabbed his second Daytona 500 win using drafting help from Dale Earnhardt to pull off a daring three-wide pass on Rusty Wallace and Mike Skinner with 10 laps remaining. Jeffery Michael Gordon Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Russell William "Rusty" Wallace (born August 14, 1956) is a former NASCAR champion NASCAR Nationwide Series car owner and television Mike Skinner (born June 28, 1957 in Ontario California is a NASCAR driver from Susanville, California now living in Daytona Gordon then managed to hold off a determined Earnhardt to earn the victory.
The 2000 race almost produced another upset winner as Johnny Benson led the late stages of the event, until succumbing to polesitter Dale Jarrett on a restart with only four laps remaining. Jonathan Benson Jr (born June 27, 1963 in Grand Rapids Michigan) is a NASCAR driver and the son of former Michigan modified driver John Benson Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Jarrett then managed to hold off the rest of the field to grab his third Daytona 500 victory.
On the last turn of the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash. The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11 and ended on November 23. Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving This was the second restrictor-plate race run under a rules package (discontinued after the 2001 season) that included a small strip atop the car's roof and a small lip on the rear spoiler. [7] Though it was meant to give power back to the drivers and help produce more lead changes, critics charged that it created dangerous racing conditions, as cars raced three or more wide for long stretches of the race, and compared to past set ups, the cars raced much closer together. An 18-car crash on lap 173, which sent Tony Stewart's car flying end-over-end, caused the race to be red-flagged (stopped) while the track was made safe. Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971 in Columbus Indiana) is an American race car driver/car owner/entrepreneur in NASCAR 's Michael Waltrip, making his first start for Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Michael Curtis Waltrip (born April 30, 1963 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a professional race car driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. , won the race, with his teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. finishing second, in cars that were both owned by Dale Earnhardt, who had been running third prior to his fatal crash in Turn 4. Ralph Dale [8] The 2001 Daytona 500 was also the first NASCAR Cup points race to be televised by FOX which covered the other major Cup events during Speedweeks, as well as the previous day's Busch Series (now called the Nationwide Series) race. See also Fox Sports (Australia and Fox Sports Net. Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company (part of The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a Stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. Fox's commentators and reporters included Darrell Waltrip, Michael's brother, and Larry McReynolds, who had been Dale Earnhardt's crew chief at the 1998 Daytona 500. Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona Lawrence Joseph McReynolds III (born January 10, 1959 in Birmingham Alabama) was a long-time NASCAR Crew chief and currently serves
Sterling Marlin was battling Jeff Gordon for the lead of the 2002 Daytona 500 when they made contact. Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Jeffery Michael Gordon Gordon spun while a multi-car crash broke out behind them. NASCAR red-flagged the race so it could be raced to completion, and stopped the field on the backstretch. Marlin had been told the right front fender on his car had been knocked into the right front tire, and jumped out of the car to pull the fender away from the tire. NASCAR officials in the safety vehicle immediately jumped out and stopped him. Since no one is allowed to work on a car during red-flag conditions, Marlin was sent to the back of the field, giving Ward Burton the win. John Edward Burton III (born October 25, 1961) is an American NASCAR auto racer, who has a total of five career Sprint Cup wins
Michael Waltrip won the 2003 race when it was shortened to 109 laps due to rain. [9] The following year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. earned one of the most memorable victories in recent memory. Late in the race, Dale made a daring move without drafting help going into Turn 3 to get by Tony Stewart. Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971 in Columbus Indiana) is an American race car driver/car owner/entrepreneur in NASCAR 's The win came six years to the date after his father won the event.
Changes to the Daytona 500 meant the race could run into the dusk, with engines starting at 2:40 PM, and the green flag waving around 2:55 PM, meaning the race would finish under the lights as darkness fell at the finish. In 2005, Jeff Gordon won his third Daytona 500 in the first instance of NASCAR using the green-white-checker finish rule in the 500. The green-white-checker finish is a rule implemented into many levels of automobile racing in the United States Jimmie Johnson took the honors in 2006, also under a nighttime green-white-checker finish. Johnson won the race in a year that would see him win the Nextel Cup Championship.
The 2007 race, held exactly six years to the day of Dale Earnhardt's death, was the first time Toyota, a foreign name plate car, entered the Daytona 500. (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. Two of the four qualifying Toyotas completed the race, with Dale Jarrett finishing 23rd and Michael Waltrip finishing 30th. Tony Stewart led for a good part of the race, but was taken out in a late crash with Kurt Busch. Many fans brought up the fact that the wreck was strangely similar to the one that claimed Dale Earnhardt. (Neither Stewart nor Busch were injured in the crash. )
At the end, Mark Martin was leading for the last 26 laps. Mark Martin may refer to Mark Martin (racecar driver (b 1959 American racecar driver Mark Martin (cartoonist, American cartoonist A wreck in the final five laps forced a race stoppage. In a green-white-checker finish, Kevin Harvick, driving for the team Earnhardt made famous (with Earnhardt's #3 replaced by the #29) was running fifth with half a lap to go, but picked up a push from Matt Kenseth and rocketed forward to draw even with Martin as they rounded turn 3. Kevin Michael Harvick (born December 8, 1975 in Bakersfield California) is an American race car driver and car owner competing in the Matthew Roy Kenseth (born March 10 1972 in Cambridge Wisconsin) is a stock car driver As a huge wreck erupted behind them, Martin and Harvick drag-raced to the checkered flag with Harvick claiming victory by . 02 seconds, the closest since the inaugural race in 1959. Most of the rest of the field crashed across the finish line: one car, the Jack Daniels #07 driven by Harvick's RCR teammate Clint Bowyer, flipped on its top and caught fire after colliding with another car. Jack Daniels may refer to Jack Daniel's, brand of whiskey Jack Daniel, founder of the whiskey company Jack Daniels RCR Enterprises LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team fielding Chevrolets for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer Clint Bowyer (born May 30, 1979, in Emporia Kansas) is an American NASCAR driver Bowyer's momentum carried him over the line, upside-down and in flames, for an 18th place finish. The car then righted itself in the infield grass and Bowyer alertly exited the burning vehicle to walk away unharmed. Harvick tied Benny Parsons and Ward Burton for the record of the fewest laps led by a race winner, as all three led only four laps. Benjamin Stewart Parsons ( July 12 1941 – January 16 2007) was an American NASCAR driver and later an announcer/analyst Harvick also broke the record by winning from the 34th starting position.
The newest Cup driver to Roush Fenway Racing, David Ragan, would also surprise many by finishing 5th in his debut superspeedway race. Roush Fenway Racing (formerly Roush Racing) is a racing team competing in NASCAR racing David Ragan (born December 24, 1985 in Unadilla GA) is a stock car racer who drives the #6 AAA Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya would make his 2nd NASCAR start at Daytona, although he did not have a stellar performance like his ARCA debut where he finished 3rd. Juan Pablo Montoya Roldán (born September 20, 1975, in Bogotá, Colombia) is a Race car driver in NASCAR for Chip He would finish in the 19th position after starting 36th from his Gatorade Duel finish. Mike Wallace would also be a surprise by finishing 4th. Mike Wallace (born March 10 1959 in Fenton Missouri) is a NASCAR race car driver
The 2008 Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing marked the 50th running of "The Great American Race", run on Sunday, February 17, 2008, celebrating the Golden Anniversary of the first race run in 1959. 2008 Daytona 500 was the 50th annual running of "The Great American Race" the Daytona 500. professional American football, the Super Bowl is the Championship game of the National Football League (NFL Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The race was the first Daytona 500 run using NASCAR's Car of Tomorrow, which was introduced in 2007, and became standard as of 2008. The Car of Tomorrow (CoT, occasionally called the "Car of Today" The 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season began on February 10, 2007 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout and ended on The 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series began on February 9 2008 at Daytona International Speedway with the Budweiser Shootout, followed by pole qualifying on Sunday February The race also marked the first race under the "Sprint Cup" banner, following the merger of Sprint with NEXTEL in 2005. Nextel Communications, styled NEXTEL, (Former NASDAQ: NXTL) now known as the Sprint Nextel Corporation, was a telecommunications firm based
Many events and personalities were involved in the special running of the race. Activities began in March of 2007 with a “Celebrity Tickets for Charity” competition, where the design of the most sought-after ticket in motorsports history was chosen from submissions provided by celebrities of which the original art were auctioned off for the benefit of the Jeff Gordon Foundation, with fans having a voice in the decision. They chose ten designs - four of them from past race winners - and a blue ribbon panel made up of NASCAR's family selected comedian/game show host Jeff Foxworthy's design[10] as the winner. Jeff Foxworthy (born September 6, 1958) is an American Stand-up comedian and Actor. The pace car was driven by 1960 race winner (and former owner) Junior Johnson and seven-time winner Richard Petty waved the green flag to start the race. As many as 24 past champions gave the command to start the engines for the race as the Grand Marshals for this event.
The first 150 laps were mostly caution free, with only two yellow flags thrown for debris. Most of the drivers seemed content to fall in line and let the beginning of the race play itself out. The final fifty laps saw Jeff Gordon go to the garage for suspension failure, but able to return and finish the race 14 laps down. Jeffery Michael Gordon The final twenty laps were very exciting, with three cautions for accidents. When the race was restarted for the final time on lap 197, Tony Stewart quickly stormed past Jeff Burton into the lead. Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971 in Columbus Indiana) is an American race car driver/car owner/entrepreneur in NASCAR 's Jeffrey Brian Burton (born June 29, 1967 in South Boston Virginia) also sometimes referred to as "JB" is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series On the final lap down the back straightaway, Stewart dove to the bottom to pick up drafting help from his teammate Kyle Busch, who had led most of the race. This move proved to be a disaster as Ryan Newman, with drafting help from teammate Kurt Busch, surged to the front and took the checkered flag as the winner of the 2008 50th Anniversary Daytona 500. Ryan Joseph Newman (born December 8, 1977 in South Bend, Indiana) is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common In all 32 cars finished on the lead lap in the first race at Daytona in the new car used by NASCAR. As the race winner, Ryan Newman took home $1,506,040. 00 while last-place finisher Kenny Wallace won $256,735. 00.
The top five and their manufacturer:
1. Ryan Newman Dodge
2. Ryan Joseph Newman (born December 8, 1977 in South Bend, Indiana) is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC Kurt Busch Dodge
3. Kurt Thomas Busch (born August 4, 1978 in Las Vegas Nevada) is a professional American Race car driver Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC Tony Stewart Toyota
4. Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971 in Columbus Indiana) is an American race car driver/car owner/entrepreneur in NASCAR 's (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. Kyle Busch Toyota
5. Kyle Thomas Busch (born May 2, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada) nicknamed "Rowdy Busch" "Wild Thing" or "Shrub" (pronounced) is a Multinational corporation headquartered in Japan, and is currently the world's largest Automaker. Reed Sorenson Dodge
Qualifying is unique at Daytona for the 500. Bradley Reed Sorenson (born February 5, 1986, in Peachtree City Georgia) is a NASCAR driver who currently drives the #41 Target Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC The Gatorade Duel, is NASCAR Sprint Cup Series preliminary event to the Daytona 500 held annually in February at Daytona International Speedway Some teams must race their way into the Daytona 500 field. However, since 2005, all exempt teams (the top 35 teams of the previous year in owner points) are guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500. The first row is set by one round of qualifying, normally held one week before the race. (Prior to 2003, this was two rounds; prior to 2001, it was three. ) The remainder of the field is set by a pair of qualifying races (these were 100 miles from 1959-1967; 125 miles from 1969-2004; and 150 miles, with two-lap overtime if necessary, beginning in 2005. These races were not held in 1968 because of rain). The top two drivers from the qualifying races that are not in the top 35 in owner points are given spots on the field, and the rest is set by the finishing order of the duels, with guaranteed spots to those in the top 35. The remaining spots, 40 to 43 are filled by top qualifying times of those not already in the field from the qualifying race. If there is a previous NASCAR Champion without a spot, he will get one of those four spots, otherwise, the fourth fastest car is added to the field.
Prior to 2005, after the top two cars were set, the top 14 cars in the qualifying races advanced to the field, and then between six (1998-2003), eight (1995-97, 2004), or ten (until 1994) fastest cars which did not advance from the qualifying race were added, and, since the mid-1980s, between two and seven cars were added by previous year's points performance and or championship.
The Daytona 500 was the first 500-mile auto race to be televised live flag-to-flag on network television when CBS aired it in 1979, continuing to air until 2000. From 2001 to 2006, the race alternated between FOX and NBC under the terms of a six-year, $2. See also Fox Sports (Australia and Fox Sports Net. Fox Sports is a division of the Fox Broadcasting Company (part of The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's 48 billion NASCAR television contract. Starting in 2007, FOX became the exclusive home of the Daytona 500 under the terms of NASCAR's new television package.
A byproduct of both the track's 1998 lighting and the 2001 television package has been later start times. The race started at 12:15 p. m. (US EST) from 1979 until 2000. The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America The start time was moved to 2:30 p. m. for the convenience of west coast viewers. The 2005 race ended at sunset for the first time in its history, and the 2006 race ended well after sunset. The changing track conditions caused by the onset of darkness in the closing laps force the crew chiefs to predict the critical car setup adjustments needed for their final pit stop. The 2007 race ended at night, at 7:07 PM US EST.
In 1986, the Daytona 500 paid tribute to astronauts who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and many cars carried a decal in memory of the STS-51-L crew. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place on January 28 1986 when ''Challenger'', a Space Shuttle operated by NASA, broke apart STS-51-L was the twenty-fifth flight of the American Space Shuttle program, which marked the first time a civilian had flown aboard the Space Shuttle Seventeen years later, in 2003, a similar tribute was paid to the astronauts who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' disintegrated over Texas All cars carried a decal in memory of the STS-107 crew. STS-107 was a Space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Columbia, launched January 16, 2003.
The television ratings for the Daytona 500 have surpassed those of the Indianapolis 500 since 1995, even though the 1995 race was available in fewer homes than in the past, CBS had lost affiliates in major markets (including Atlanta, Georgia, a market where two Sprint Cup races are run) as a result of realignment in the wake of FOX landing the NFL, and was actually not available in a NASCAR Nationwide Series market, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and their new CBS affiliate, WDJT, was not available to some cable subscribers. The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, often shortened to Indianapolis 500 or Indy 500, and historically known simply as "The 500" is an American The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. WDJT-TV "CBS 58 Milwaukee" is a Television station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The 2009 Daytona 500 will be the last major sporting event to be broadcast before the conversion from analog to digital television scheduled to begin on February 17, 2009. Analog (or analogue) television encodes Television picture and sound information and transmits it as an Analog signal: one in which the
For NASCAR Grand National winners at Daytona from 1949-1958, see Daytona Beach & Road Course
| Year | Date | Driver (# of 500s won) | Car # |
Car Make | Start | Laps Led (of 200) |
Winner's prize |
Average Speed (mph) |
Entrant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | February 22 | 42 | Oldsmobile | 15th | 38 | $19,050 | 135. Daytona Beach Road Course was a Race track that was instrumental in the formation of NASCAR. The 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes (now known as the 1959 Daytona 500) was the second race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Lee Arnold Petty ( March 14, 1914 near Randleman North Carolina – April 5, 2000) was an American Stock car driver in Oldsmobile was a brand of Automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. 521 | Petty Enterprises | |
| 1960 | February 24 | 27 | Chevrolet | 9th | 67 | $19,600 | 124. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the Robert Glen Johnson Jr (born June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County North Carolina) known as Junior Johnson, was a Moonshiner in the Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 740 | John Masoni | |
| 1961 | February 26 | 20 | Pontiac | 4th | 13 | $21,050 | 149. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Marvin Panch (born May 28, 1926, in Menomonie Wisconsin) is a former NASCAR driver Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico 601 | Smokey Yunick | |
| 1962 | February 18 | 22 | Pontiac | Pole | 144 | $24,190 | 152. Henry "Smokey" Yunick (born May 25, 1923, Neshaminy, Pennsylvania, died May 9, 2001 of Leukemia Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts Jr ( January 20, 1929 – July 2, 1964) was one of the pioneering race car drivers of Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico 529 | Jim Stephens | |
| 1963 | February 24 | 21 | Ford | 12th | 127 | $24,550 | 151. Events 303 - Galerius, Roman Emperor, publishes his edict that begins the persecution of Christians in his portion of the DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund ( November 14, 1929 in Harlan Iowa &ndash August 17, 1975 at Talladega Superspeedway Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 566 | Wood Brothers Racing | |
| 1964 | February 23 | 43 | Plymouth | 2nd | 184 | $33,300 | 154. Wood Brothers Racing is a United States auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman Truck Series. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Plymouth (founded 1928 - dissolved 2001 is a Marque of Automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation 334 | Petty Enterprises (2) | |
| 1965 | February 14 | 28 | Ford | 4th | 25 | $27,100 | 141. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Fred Lorenzen (born December 30, 1934 in Elmhurst Illinois) is a former NASCAR driver Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 539* | Holman-Moody | |
| 1966 | February 27 | 43 | Plymouth | Pole | 108 (of 198) | $28,150 | 160. Holman and Moody form Holman Moody John Holman was hired in 1952 by Clay Smith and Bill Stroppe to drive their parts truck to each leg of the 1952 Mexican Road Race Events 1560 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Plymouth (founded 1928 - dissolved 2001 is a Marque of Automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation 927* | Petty Enterprises (3) | |
| 1967 | February 26 | 11 | Ford | 12th | 112 | $48,900 | 146. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is an Italian American former racecar driver and one of the most successful Americans in the Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 926 | Holman-Moody (2) | |
| 1968 | February 25 | 21 | Mercury | Pole | 76 | $47,250 | 143. Holman and Moody form Holman Moody John Holman was hired in 1952 by Clay Smith and Bill Stroppe to drive their parts truck to each leg of the 1952 Mexican Road Race Events 138 - The Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Mercury is an Automobile Marque of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level-luxury 251 | Wood Brothers Racing (2) | |
| 1969 | February 23 | 98 | Ford | 19th | 18 | $38,950 | 157. Wood Brothers Racing is a United States auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman Truck Series. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable Lonnie Yarbrough (born September 17, 1938 in Jacksonville Florida, died December 7, 1984) was a NASCAR racer Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 950 | Junior Johnson | |
| 1970 | February 22 | 40 | Plymouth | 9th | 13 | $44,850 | 149. Robert Glen Johnson Jr (born June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County North Carolina) known as Junior Johnson, was a Moonshiner in the Events 1495 - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne Pete Hamilton (born July 20, 1942 in Newton, Massachusetts) is a retired American NASCAR racer Plymouth (founded 1928 - dissolved 2001 is a Marque of Automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation 601 | Petty Enterprises (4) | |
| 1971 | February 14 | 43 | Plymouth | 5th | 70 | $45,450 | 144. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Plymouth (founded 1928 - dissolved 2001 is a Marque of Automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation 462 | Petty Enterprises (5) | |
| 1972 | February 20 | 21 | Mercury | 2nd | 167 | $44,600 | 161. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Anthony Joseph Foyt Jr (born January 16, 1935, in Houston, Texas) is a retired American Automobile racing driver Mercury is an Automobile Marque of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level-luxury 550 | Wood Brothers Racing (3) | |
| 1973 | February 18 | 43 | Dodge | 7th | 17 | $36,100 | 157. Wood Brothers Racing is a United States auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman Truck Series. Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC 205 | Petty Enterprises (5) | |
| 1974 | February 17 | 43 | Dodge | 2nd | 73 | $39,650 | 140. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. The 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday January 20 and ended on Sunday November 24. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC 894* | Petty Enterprises (6) | |
| 1975 | February 16 | 72 | Chevrolet | 32nd | 4 | $43,905 | 153. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. In 1975 it appeared David Pearson was on his way to his first Daytona 500 victory as he built a sizable lead on second place Benny Parsons late in the race Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Benjamin Stewart Parsons ( July 12 1941 – January 16 2007) was an American NASCAR driver and later an announcer/analyst Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 649 | L. G. DeWitt | |
| 1976 | February 15 | 21 | Mercury | 7th | 37 | $46,800 | 152. The 1976 season in NASCAR auto racing Season recap Daytona 500 See also 1976 Daytona 500 Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor David Gene Pearson (born December 22, 1934 in Spartanburg, South Carolina) is a former American NASCAR Racecar Mercury is an Automobile Marque of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 by Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford, to market entry-level-luxury 181 | Wood Brothers Racing (5) | |
| 1977 | February 20 | 11 | Chevrolet | 4th | 137 | $63,700 | 153. Wood Brothers Racing is a United States auto racing team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide, and Craftsman Truck Series. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 218 | Junior Johnson (2) | |
| 1978 | February 19 | 15 | Ford | 33rd | 28 | $56,300 | 159. Robert Glen Johnson Jr (born June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County North Carolina) known as Junior Johnson, was a Moonshiner in the For Bobby Allison, the Daytona 500 prior to the 1978 race was not kind to him in fact he came to the race with a 67-race winless streak but with 11 laps remaining he pushed Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 730 | Bud Moore Engineering | |
| 1979 | February 18 | 43 | Oldsmobile | 13th | 12 | $73,900 | 143. Bud Moore Engineering was a championship-winning NASCAR team It was owned and operated by mechanic Bud Moore and ran out of Spartanburg South Carolina The 1979 Daytona 500 was the second race of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) season Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Oldsmobile was a brand of Automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. 977 | Petty Enterprises (8) | |
| 1980 | February 17 | 28 | Oldsmobile | Pole | 143 | $102,175 | 177. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Buddy Baker started the decade by winning the fastest Daytona 500 in history at 177 Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori For the American composer see Buddy Baker (composer. For the DC Comics character see Animal Man. Oldsmobile was a brand of Automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. 602 | Harry Rainer | |
| 1981 | February 15 | 43 | Buick | 8th | 26 | $90,575 | 169. The 1981 event saw Richard Petty take an amazing gamble to win his 7th Daytona 500. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Richard Lee Petty (born July 2, 1937) is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the Winston Cup Series Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and 651 | Petty Enterprises (9) | |
| 1982 | February 14 | 88 | Buick | 7th | 147 | $120,360 | 153. Petty Enterprises is a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman North Carolina. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and 991 | DiGard Motorsports | |
| 1983 | February 20 | 28 | Pontiac | 8th | 23 | $119,600 | 155. DiGard Motorsports was a championship-winning race team in NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup that had its most success in the late 1970s and early 1980s The 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 20. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Pontiac is a Brand of Automobiles produced by General Motors that has been sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico 979 | Harry Ranier (2) | |
| 1984 | February 19 | 28 | Chevrolet | Pole | 89 | $160,300 | 150. In 1984 Cale Yarborough completed a lap of 201848 mph (324828 km/h officially breaking the 200 mph barrier at Daytona. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum William Caleb (Cale Yarborough (born March 27, 1940 in Timmonsville South Carolina, near the famous Darlington Raceway) is a businessman and Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 994 | Harry Ranier (3) | |
| 1985 | February 17 | 9 | Ford | Pole | 136 | $185,500 | 172. The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 10 and ended on Sunday November 17. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 265 | Melling Racing | |
| 1986 | February 16 | 5 | Chevrolet | 2nd | 101 | $192,715 | 148. History Owner Harry Melling first became involved in NASCAR when his company Melling Tool sponsored Benny Parsons in 1979 The 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 16 and ended November 16. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Geoffrey Bodine (born April 18, 1949 in Chemung New York) is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers ( Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 124 | Hendrick Motorsports | |
| 1987 | February 15 | 9 | Ford | Pole | 104 | $204,150 | 176. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 8 and ended November 22. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor William Clyde Elliott (born October 8, 1955 in Dawsonville Georgia) is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 263 | Melling Racing (2) | |
| 1988 | February 14 | 12 | Buick | 3rd | 70 | $202,940 | 137. History Owner Harry Melling first became involved in NASCAR when his company Melling Tool sponsored Benny Parsons in 1979 The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 7 and ended November 20. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Robert Arthur Allison (born December 3, 1937 in Hialeah Florida) is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's Buick (ˈbjuːɪk is a Marque of automobile sold in the United States, Canada, China, Taiwan, Qatar, and 531 | Stavola Brothers Racing | |
| 1989 | February 19 | 17 | Chevrolet | 2nd | 25 | $184,900 | 148. Stavola Brothers Racing was owned by Bill and Mickey Stavola and operated NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series teams from 1984 through 1998 The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 12 and ended November 19. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a three-time former NASCAR Winston Cup champion the 1989 Daytona Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 466 | Hendrick Motorsports (2) | |
| 1990 | February 18 | 10 | Chevrolet | 12th | 5 | $188,150 | 165. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1990 Daytona 500 was run on February 18, 1990. This race was best known as the race in which a blown tire with about one mile left robbed Dale Earnhardt Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Derrike Cope is a race-car driver in NASCAR, best known for his win at the 1990 Daytona 500. Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 761 | Bob Whitcomb | |
| 1991 | February 17 | 4 | Chevrolet | 2nd | 29 | $233,000 | 148. The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 10 and ended November 17. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan, (born January 13, 1959 in Salinas California) is a former race driver in NASCAR Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 148 | Morgan-McClure Motorsports | |
| 1992 | February 16 | 28 | Ford | 6th | 127 | $244,050 | 160. Morgan-McClure Motorsports was an American Auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 9 and ended on November 15. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols David Carl "Davey" Allison ( February 25, 1961 - July 13, 1993) was a NASCAR Race car Driver, best Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 256 | Robert Yates Racing | |
| 1993 | February 14 | 18 | Chevrolet | 2nd | 8 | $238,200 | 154. Yates Racing is a Motorsports racing team that currently races in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began on February 7 and ended on November 14. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 972 | Joe Gibbs Racing | |
| 1994 | February 20 | 4 | Chevrolet | 4th | 30 | $258,275 | 156. Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 13. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 931 | Morgan-McClure Motorsports (2) | |
| 1995 | February 19 | 4 | Chevrolet | 3rd | 105 | $300,460 | 141. Morgan-McClure Motorsports was an American Auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on February 12 and concluded November 12. Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Sterling Marlin (born June 30, 1957 in Columbia Tennessee) is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver who drives the #09 Finch Racing car Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 710 | Morgan-McClure Motorsports (3) | |
| 1996 | February 18 | 88 | Ford | 7th | 40 | $360,775 | 154. Morgan-McClure Motorsports was an American Auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series started on February 18 1996 and ended on November 10 1996 with Terry Labonte pulling off a massive Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 308 | Robert Yates Racing (2) | |
| 1997 | February 16 | 24 | Chevrolet | 6th | 40 | $377,410 | 148. Yates Racing is a Motorsports racing team that currently races in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 9 and ended on Sunday November 16. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Jeffery Michael Gordon Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 295 | Hendrick Motorsports (3) | |
| 1998 | February 15 | 3 | Chevrolet | 4th | 105 | $1,059,805 | 172. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 1998 Daytona 500 was run on February 15, 1998. It is memorable in that it marked Dale Earnhardt 's first Daytona 500 victory after 19 previous Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Ralph Dale Earnhardt Sr ( April 29, 1951 &ndash February 18, 2001) was an American race car driver best known for his career driving Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 712 | Richard Childress Racing | |
| 1999 | February 14 | 24 | Chevrolet | Pole | 15 | $1,172,246 | 161. RCR Enterprises LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team fielding Chevrolets for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer The 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 7 and ended on Sunday November 21. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Jeffery Michael Gordon Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 551 | Hendrick Motorsports (4) | |
| 2000 | February 20 | 88 | Ford | Pole | 87 | $1,277,975 | 155. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 13 and ended on Sunday November 20. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Dale Arnold Jarrett (born November 26, 1956 in Newton North Carolina) is a former American race car driver Ford Motor Company is an American Multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on Worldwide vehicle sales, following 669 | Robert Yates Racing (3) | |
| 2001 | February 18 | 15 | Chevrolet | 19th | 23 | $1,331,185 | 161. Yates Racing is a Motorsports racing team that currently races in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series The 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup season began on February 11 and ended on November 23. Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Michael Curtis Waltrip (born April 30, 1963 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a professional race car driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 783 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | |
| 2002 | February 17 | 22 | Dodge | 19th | 4 | $1,389,017 | 130. Dale Earnhardt Inc is a NASCAR team based in Mooresville North Carolina. The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday February 10, and ended on Sunday November 17. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori John Edward Burton III (born October 25, 1961) is an American NASCAR auto racer, who has a total of five career Sprint Cup wins Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC 810 | Bill Davis Racing | |
| 2003 | February 16 | 15 | Chevrolet | 4th | 68 (of 109) | $1,419,406 | 133. Bill Davis Racing is a racing team that participates in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series. The 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday February 8 and ended on Sunday November 16. Events 1249 - Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols Michael Curtis Waltrip (born April 30, 1963 in Owensboro Kentucky) is a professional race car driver and owner of Michael Waltrip Racing. Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 870* | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (2) | |
| 2004 | February 15 | 8 | Chevrolet | 3rd | 59 | $1,495,070 | 156. Dale Earnhardt Inc is a NASCAR team based in Mooresville North Carolina. The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday February 7 and ended on Sunday November 21. Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Ralph Dale Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 341 | Dale Earnhardt, Inc. (3) | |
| 2005 | February 20 | 24 | Chevrolet | 15th | 28 (of 203) | $1,497,150 | 135. Dale Earnhardt Inc is a NASCAR team based in Mooresville North Carolina. The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began on Saturday February 12. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Jeffery Michael Gordon Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 173* | Hendrick Motorsports (5) | |
| 2006 | February 19 | 48 | Chevrolet | 9th | 24 (of 203) | $1,505,120 | 142. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 2006 Daytona 500 was the first race in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup season Events 197 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus defeats usurper Clodius Albinus in the Battle of Lugdunum Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 734* | Hendrick Motorsports (6) | |
| 2007 | February 18 | 29 | Chevrolet | 34th | 4 (of 202) | $1,510,469 | 149. Hendrick Motorsports is a Stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The 2007 Daytona 500 was the first Events 3102 BC - Epoch (origin of the Kali Yuga. 1229 - The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II Holy Kevin Michael Harvick (born December 8, 1975 in Bakersfield California) is an American race car driver and car owner competing in the Chevrolet (ˌʃɛvroʊˈleɪ - French origin (also known as Chevy) is a Brand of Automobile, produced by General Motors (GM 333* | Richard Childress Racing (2) | |
| 2008 | February 17 | 12 | Dodge | 7th | 8 | $1,543,045 | 152. RCR Enterprises LLC, doing business as Richard Childress Racing, is a NASCAR team fielding Chevrolets for Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer 2008 Daytona 500 was the 50th annual running of "The Great American Race" the Daytona 500. Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori Ryan Joseph Newman (born December 8, 1977 in South Bend, Indiana) is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Dodge is a United States -based brand of Automobiles Sport utility vehicles and Trucks manufactured and marketed by Chrysler LLC 672 | Penske Racing |
†Andretti was born in Italy, but became a naturalized American citizen. Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the Indy Racing League, ALMS, and NASCAR. Mario Gabriele Andretti (born February 28, 1940) is an Italian American former racecar driver and one of the most successful Americans in the Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Article I section 8 clause 4 of the United States Constitution expressly gives the United States Congress the power to establish a uniform rule of naturalization
All of the above races were 500 miles (200 laps) long, except those listed below:
NOTE: Effective July 25, 2004, NASCAR changed finish rules in Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series competition, utilizing a green-white-checker finish. The green-white-checker finish is a rule implemented into many levels of automobile racing in the United States Events 285 - Diocletian appoints Maximian as Caesar, co-ruler "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a Stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. The green-white-checker finish is a rule implemented into many levels of automobile racing in the United States If at any time during the penultimate lap the race is under caution, the race will end with two green flag laps or the next caution upon the ensuing restart. The Craftsman Truck Series had already been using this rule since it began in 1995 (although the Truck Series rule originally mandated that every race had to end under green, meaning that multiple green-white-checker finishes could be attempted and often were during this time).