SolveYourProblem Article Series: NASCAR
Everything You Need To Know About NASCAR

The Daytona 500

The Daytona 500, one of the most famous races on the NASCAR circuit has a rich history. This important always signals the start of the NEXTEL racing season. The qualification for this race is different from the other races on the circuit. Two qualifying races instead of laps are used for qualifying for the Daytona 500.

The top 35 teams in car owner points are guaranteed a starting spot for this exciting race. The teams qualify in two 150-mile races. The first race features cars that had odd numbers when finishing and the second race is for the even finishing positions. Deciding the driver who will sit on the pole for these qualifying races is different also. The driver with the fastest time during qualifying laps for the Daytona 500 will sit on the pole for the first race, and the second in time will sit on the outside. In the next race the order is reversed. Drivers not in the top 35 in points standing are placed in the qualifying races according to the times recorded in time trial laps. As with other races, there is a provisional spot for a past champion. If there are no past champions to fill this spot it goes to the next fastest qualifier.

The Daytona 500 is rich in racecar history. Here are some notable moments from the Daytona 500.

1959 - It was the year the Superspeedway opened and the race was decided when newsreel footage showed that Johnny Beauchamp finished just ahead of Lee Petty who was awarded the checkered flag at the end of the race.

1976 - This race took a funny turn on the last lap. Richard Petty was leading when driver David Pearson tried to pass him on the backstretch. The cars touched and then crashed just shy of the finish line. Petty’s car refused to start but Pearson’s car continued to run and he was able to creep over the finished line.

1979 - The first live TV broadcast and the first televised fight! Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough were battling for first place with a huge lead over third place runner Richard Petty. On the last lap, Yarborough tried to pass on the low side and Allison blocked. They ended banging fenders and wrecking in turn three and Richard Petty went on to win the race. The drivers got into a fight with brother Bobby Allison joining in. The whole incident was recorded on national TV.

1988 - One of the nicest moments in NASCAR history occurred in 1988, the year the restrictor plate was introduced to Daytona Superspeedway. Bobby Allison became the oldest driver to win the Daytona 500 and did so by beating out his son Davey.

1998 - Dale Earnhardt Senior wins his first Daytona 500. This magic moment happened after racing 20 years and narrowly missed winning the 500 many times. The show of emotion for the racing legend was enormous as every team member and every member of the press were on press row to greet and congratulate Earnhardt.

2001 - The race this year is memorable for one event. Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life in a crash that occurred in turn four of the last lap. NASCAR lost a great driver but took the opportunity to make significant changes in their safety procedures. The changes have undoubtedly saved many lives since that horrible day.

The Daytona 500 is one of the most popular races on the NASCAR circuit. To NASCAR it means the start of another season of racing. Another race is run at the Daytona Superspeedway later in the year, but the Daytona 500 remains the most popular race of the season.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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