The Daytona 500: In the world of auto racing, few events match the prestige and history of NASCAR’s Daytona 500. As the circuit’s first showcase race of every season, held annually in February at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, the “Great American Race” represents the pinnacle for stock car drivers and fans. First run in 1959, the race has seen incredible popularity growth to become a fixture of American sports culture, watched by about 10 million television viewers every year. Its rich past filled with tragedy, controversy, comebacks and photo finishes has cemented the Daytona 500 as NASCAR’s most celebrated and influential event. Origins & Early Years of Stock Car Racing (Late 1940s-Early 1960s) The roots of NASCAR date back to prohibition-era Southern United States, when bootleggers needed fast vehicles to elude authorities while transporting illegal whiskey. To showcase their cars’ speed advantages, exhibitions were organized on closed tracks in the late 1940s, contrasting the maneuverability of souped-up “stock” vehicles against proper racing automobiles. Bill France Sr, a service station owner, spearheaded efforts to organize the haphazard racing events into a cohesive series. NASCAR was founded in 1947 and enjoyed strong spectator interest across America’s Southeast early on. However, facilities were often dangerously makeshift and prize money minimal. To address these issues, France constructed the Daytona International Speedway, which opened in 1959 as the fastest closed-course oval track ever built. Its first marquee event held on February 22 was the inaugural Daytona 500 race. Johnny Beauchamp won a photo finish against Lee Petty, although Petty was later judged the winner after review. The race cemented its reputation as unpredictable and built fanfare for future years. Wider Popularity & Tragedy in the 1960s The 1960s saw NASCAR’s popularity expand beyond solely regional interest. Fireball Roberts’ 1962 Daytona 500 triumph driving a Pontiac Catalina drew Detroit’s focus to stock car racing’s commercial opportunities. Brand sponsorships and technological improvements soon followed. Roberts’ bravery and personality also endeared him to fans nationwide. Tragedy dampened the progress when Roberts perished from burns suffered in a violent 1964 crash. But the event became a television fixture by decade’s end, airing annually nationwide on CBS starting in 1979. Restrictor plates were also mandated at Daytona and sister track Talladega to reduce dangerously high speeds. New Heroes Emerge in the 1970s-1980s The 1970s welcomed new heroes like Richard Petty, the eras most successful driver who won a record 7 Daytona 500s. His son Kyle Petty began racing at NASCAR’s top level continuing the family legacy. David Pearson and Buddy Baker also dueled memorably at Daytona events, trading victories and track records through the decade. In 1979, a fistfight broke out on live television between competitors Cale Yarborough and Donnie and Bobby Allison after a last-lap crash, boosting viewing intrigue. The 1980s saw Bill Elliott establish himself as NASCAR’s fastest qualifier with a record 212 MPH lap at Daytona. By 1989, national media coverage propelled Darrell Waltrip’s photo finish Daytona 500 win into one of the most-viewed auto races ever at that point. Continued Growth in the 1990s & Early 2000s The mid-1990s brought a new superstar in Jeff Gordon, who won the 1997 Daytona 500 at just 25 years old. Gordon proved a hero kids and newcomers could root for given his youth and skill. Alongside Dale Earnhardt Sr., the two ushered NASCAR firmly into the mainstream during a surging period of national growth and corporate sponsorships. In 1998, Dale Earnhardt finally won his long-awaited first Daytona 500 after 20 years of heartbreaks at the track that best defined his talent and aggression. His 1997 runner-up finish remains remembered as one the event’s most exciting endings, being edged out by just a few feet. The early 2000s saw unprecedented television viewership and revenue for NASCAR. The 2001 Daytona 500, won by Michael Waltrip, boasted nearly 30 million viewers, trailing only the Super Bowl. The race however was sadly marred by Dale Earnhardt Sr’s death on the final lap after colliding with the wall. To most, his absence leaving victory lane remains NASCAR’s most indelible image. Recent Era (2007-Present) In the aftermath of Earnhardt’s passing, focus increased on safety innovations like the adjustable SAFER barrier walls installed in 2002. Pack racing returned in force by 2007 as Jamie McMurray pipped Kyle Busch by inches. Electronic scoring technology debuted in 2015, allowing NASCAR to call the closest finishes accurately. In 2016, legendary rookie Chase Elliott won the Daytona 500 pole, starting the “Great American Race” from the front ahead of his accomplished teammates. After a rain delay, Denny Hamlin claimed his first Daytona 500 trophy. ...
