Who Won the First Daytona 500?

Knowing who won the first Daytona 500 requires knowing the history of the Daytona 500. The Daytona 500 is one of the most popular and most highly regarded races. It is a very unique race in that, even though it is considered one of the most important races within NASCAR, it is held as one of the first races of the year as opposed to at the end of the season as with many other popular sporting events in other sports The Daytona 500 has a long history that dates back almost fifty years.

The Daytona 500 was officially started on February 22, 1959 at the Daytona International Speedway. Lee Petty is the individual who won the first Daytona 500.

Petty is a part of a long line of racing professionals. Lee Petty was a stock car racer throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He initially raced locally in the very first NASCAR race at Charlotte Speedway.

In addition to winning the very first Daytona 500, Petty would go on to win three NASCAR Championships. Lee Petty is considered to be one of the initial superstars of NASCAR, and he is the patriarch to many other successful NASCAR drivers. For example, Lee Petty eventually formed the racing team Petty Enterprises with his sons Richard and Maurice. Petty Enterprises would become the most successful racing team in NASCAR history.

Lee Petty’s son, Richard Petty, is considered to be the most prolific drivers in NASCAR history, having won more races than any other driver. Lee Petty has also won many awards for his stellar racing abilities. Some of these awards include induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and being selected as one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers.

Establishment of Daytona 500

NASCAR’s Daytona 500 began as a very small operation on Daytona Beach in Florida. The initial races were short races that were between 200 miles. The racing area was shaped like a square and extended from the sandy beach to the part of a nearby highway. 

As the races continued, a 500 mile race was established at the Daytona International Speedway in 1959. People begin to refer to the race as the Daytona 500 in 1961, and this name is still used today to describe this race.

The Daytona International Speedway is about 2.5 miles long, and covers 500 miles of the raceway, racers will have to go around it at least 200 times. In general, the Daytona International Speedway is considered to be completed after being circulated for 100 laps or 250 miles.

Interesting Facts about Daytona 500

Other than knowing who won the first Daytona 500, there are a number of other interesting facts about this race.

• Since 1971, the Daytona 500 usually occurs the second or third weekend of February near President’s Day.
• This race has one of the largest television ratings of all the NASCAR races including the Indy 500.
• Many consider the Daytona 500 to be the “Superbowl” of races and people all over the world tune-in to watch this highly regarded race on television.
• The Daytona 500 was the first 500 mile race to be broadcast by a major network with CBS holding the contract to televise the event from 1979 to 2000. Currently, the FOX Network has the exclusive rights to televise the race.
• The winner of Daytona 500 is presented with the Harley J. Earl Trophy. The car of the winning racer is placed on display at the museum the Daytona 500 Experience. The winners of the Daytona 500 also win a monetary award. Over the years the monetary award has increased significantly.

• At the first Daytona 500 in 1959, the winner Lee Petty won $19,050. The winner of the 2010 Daytona 500, Jaime McMurray, won $1,514,649. Thus, there are both professional and financial benefits to racing in the Daytona 500.

The Daytona 500 race has proven to be one of the most interesting races of NASCAR.