The Daytona 500 has had some memorable moments in its history that have helped define the sport. Photo finishes, fights and huge underdog winners have highlighted the history of this classic race. Here are the top ten greatest moments in Daytona 500 history.
1. 1979 - The Fight
The 1979 event was the first time that the race was broadcast live. On the last lap Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough had a huge lead over third place when Cale dove low to pass. Donnie blocked, they banged fenders and wrecked in turn 3. Richard Petty took the win. After the race Allison and Yarborough got into a fight with Bobby Allison also stopping to join in, all on national television. This incident helped spark an interest in NASCAR that no amount of advertising could ever match.2. 1998 - Earnhardt Gets His
After 20 years of near-misses and frustration Dale Earnhardt Sr. finally had the stars align in 1998. While the race was a good one the truly memorable moment here was that slow drive up pit road where every team and every member of the press went out to congratulate Dale. This may have been the single most popular victory in the history of NASCAR. I never called myself a Dale Earnhardt fan, but this was a beautiful moment.3. 1959 - Photo Finish
1959 was the very first Daytona 500 on the brand new 2.5 mile superspeedway. Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp were battling for the win off of turn 4 on the last lap with the lapped car of Joe Weatherly in the mix. The three of them crossed the line side-by-side-by-side, Beauchamp on the bottom, Petty in the middle and Weatherly on top. Beauchamp celebrated in victory lane but three days later Petty was declared the winner when newsreel footage showed that he beat Beauchamp to the line.4. 2001 - A Dark Day
Not a "great" moment, but certainly momentous. This race changed the future of the sport forever as NASCAR lost its greatest driver of all time when Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life in turn four of the last lap. This event made international headlines bringing NASCAR in focus in a way that it never had been before. NASCAR took the opportunity to make significant safety changes that have saved lives since. That renewed focus on safety continues to this day.5. 1976 - Petty vs Pearson
Richard Petty was leading on the last lap when David Pearson got around him on the bachstretch. Off of turn four Petty tried a slingshot move under Pearson but didn't quite clear him. They touched and both drivers crashed, coming to rest on the grass just short of the start finish line. Petty's car wouldn't start but Pearson kept his car running and creeped over the line on the shoulder for the win.6. 2002 - Red Flag Infraction
On a late race restart, Sterling Marlin was trying to pass Jeff Gordon for the lead when they got together. Gordon spun and a multi-car wreck happened behind them. Marlin was leading when NASCAR threw the red flag to clean up the mess and try to finish under green. When the cars stopped on the backstretch, Sterling jumped out of his car and tugged on his damaged right front fender. NASCAR sent him to the back for working on his car during the red flag, handing the win to Ward Burton.