Daytona 500 Stories
J Louis Frey
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2012 by J Louis Frey
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Dedication:
To those who play on the Beach in the winter sunshine.
Chapter 14 - The Earnhardt Report
Chapter 15 - The Greatest Line Up in Daytona 500 History
Chapter 16 - The Petty Family at the Daytona 500
Chapter 17 - Close But No Trophy
Chapter 1: The Start
Since the early part of the century, people came to “the birthplace of speed” to test their vehicles on the hard sand. William Henry Getty France came to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1934. France, a mechanic by trade, helped to lay out and build a race course that was part public road and part beach. The first race was held on March 8, 1936 and was won by Milt Marion in a Ford. France, known as “Big Bill”, drove in the race finishing fifth also in a Ford. The city of Daytona Beach sponsored the first race on a 3.2 mile course.
By 1938 France was promoting the races and making a small profit with his business partner Charlie Reese. Also in that year, France worked on the pit crew of a car in the Indianapolis 500.
After World War II, France again began promoting stock car races and by 1947 held a meeting in a Daytona Beach hotel, the Streamline. From that meeting came the formation of NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The organization’s first race was 150 miles held on February 15, 1948 on a new road-beach course south of Daytona Beach. Red Byron beat Marshall Teague for the victory on that Sunday.
Ever the dreamer, “Big” Bill France had another idea for auto racing in the mid 1950’s. He wanted to build a large racing track near Daytona Beach. Architect Charles Moneypenny was hired to design the track on 480 acres west of the city. France would operate equipment himself when ground was broken for the speedway on November 25, 1957. The turns were banked at 31 degrees to allow high speeds to be maintained for the cars. The speedway would be 2.5 miles of asphalt, 40 feet wide, in a “D” shape, bigger than Darlington which was 1.3 miles in length. The backstretch had a length of 3000 feet and banked 2 degrees. The soil that was scooped from the infield to make the high banks later filled in with water; this is now known as Lake Lloyd. In addition to the 29 acre lake, a 3.5 mile road course was added in 1962. Working on the banked turns, it was necessary to tether the paving machines by cables. When France ran into some money problems, Pepsi Cola gave him the cash to finish the track. He was loyal to the soft drink company for the rest of his life. This relationship, between Pepsi and Daytona International Speedway, continues to today.
When drivers exited the tunnel into the infield they were in awe of the size of the speedway and the height of the turns.
On Monday February 9, there was a 7 lap Match Race on the track. At the very first “race,” top three cars: driven by Joe Weatherly, Jack Smith, and Bob Welborn, were 1959 Chevrolets. The fourth place car was a Ford Thunderbird, driven by Tom Pistone.
Before the first Daytona 500, former driver and NASCAR official Marshall Teague wanted to break the closed course speed record. Teague was once known as “The King of the Beach” because of his success at Daytona Beach. On Wednesday February 11, 1959 he was killed at Daytona International Speedway when the axle broke and his Sumar Streamliner Special flipped. Teague was thrown from the car and died instantly, just 2 weeks before his 38th birthday.
The inaugural Daytona 500 had 2 qualifying races held on February 20, and no test sessions. One of the races was a hard top race won by Bob Welborn, and the other was a convertible race won by Shorty Rollins. The fastest qualifier was Cotton Owens at 143.198 mph in a Pontiac, but Welborn started from the pole because of his race win. A 200 mile Sportsman car race was held the day before the 500; it was won by Banjo Matthews. A consolation race was also held the day before the big race. It was only 10 laps long and was won by Jack Smith, who would start in 41st place the next day.
The 500 was held on Sunday February 22, 1959, with 42,000 spectators. The admission price was $8 for the grandstand and $4 for the infield. The first Pace Car for the race was a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. Many drivers were concerned about the speeds at the track, but one driver had another problem. Tom Pistone couldn’t swim and he was afraid of crashing into Lake Lloyd. So Pistone carried a life jacket and oxygen tank in his car during the race; he finished eighth! Bob Welborn led the very first lap of the first 500. The race had no caution flags and it finished with an average speed of 135.5 mph. The car make entries included Oldsmobile, Ford, Chevrolet, Edsel, Pontiac, DeSoto, Mercury, Dodge, and Studebaker.
France himself was stationed at the finish line under the flagstand to view the line if needed. On the last lap Johnny Beauchamp, in a 59 Ford Thunderbird, was racing against Lee Petty driving a 59 Oldsmobile Super 88. They crossed the finish line side-by-side, along with Joe Weatherly, who was 1 lap behind. In a close finish Beauchamp was declared the winner and was given the trophy. However, three days later the decision was overturned by France after reviewing photographs. Lee Petty, the 1958 points champion, became the winner of the first Daytona 500 and was given the Harley Earl Trophy and $19,000!
Other notable finishers included Charley Griffith in third, Cotton Owens in fourth and Joe Weatherly in fifth. Former points champ Tim Flock-9th also won on the beach course, Curtis Turner finished in 13th place, Junior Johnson earned 14th, Marvin Panch finished 17th, Elmo Langley-25th, Rex White-26th, Glen Wood was 34th, Tiny Lund-40th, Bob Welborn was 41st, Buck Baker finished in 42nd, Fireball Roberts was 45th place, Richard Petty’s Olds convertible lasted only 8 laps before his engine expired, finishing in 57th position, and Ken Marriott was the first driver out of the race finishing in 59th. On July 4, 1959 the track held its first Firecracker 250 mile race won by Fireball Roberts.
Between the Daytona 500 and the Firecracker, a speed boat (hydroplane) race was held on Lake Lloyd. The lake was 700 feet wide, 1000 yards long and 10 feet deep. During the June 14 race, there was a 3 boat accident. This accident resulted in the death of the race leader, Dr. Byrne Taylor. Dr. Taylor’s son was also competing, but not in that race. One of the other two drivers was injured in the crash.
In 1960 the drivers returned to the track, but this time there were no convertibles. The convertible drivers complained about being buffeted about in the open cockpits of their cars. Again there were two qualifying races which counted as official race wins by NASCAR. The winners were Fireball Roberts in a 1960 Pontiac, and Jack Smith also in a ‘60 Pontiac. Interestingly, Herman Beam became the first driver to be black flagged at Daytona during one of the qualifying races. He forgot to put on his helmet, and it took NASCAR officials 8 laps to notice it! Also, Tommy Irwin landed in Lake Lloyd in a crash in the first Qualifier. Cotton Owens earned the pole position in a Pontiac by going 149.892 mph. Curtis Turner won the 10 lap Consolation race. The 500 miler was won by Robert “Junior” Johnson in a 1959 Chevrolet, prepared by Ray Fox, leading the most laps and beating Bobby Johns. Johns spun late in the race while leading, and then lost his rear window which slowed his car down. Richard Petty finished third ahead of his father, Lee, in fourth; both Plymouth Fury’s were painted in “Petty Blue”. Ned Jarrett finished in the sixth spot, Curtis Turner-7th for Holman-Moody, Fred Lorenzen-8th, the 1960 points champ Rex White-9th, Buck Baker-18th, Banjo Matthews-19th, Rookie of the Year David Pearson-28th, Cotton Owens-40th, Joe Weatherly-41st, Marvin Panch-46th, Tiny Lund-51st driving for future NASCAR official Bill Gazaway, Elmo Langley-52nd, Parnelli Jones-54th, Red Farmer-56th, and Fireball led the first 19 laps finished in 57th place in a field of 68 cars. Dick Freeman is the first driver to crash out of the 500 after 5 laps, finishing last. Johnson, a late entry for the race, led 67 laps and Richard Petty led 29 laps at his first Daytona 500. There were plenty of cautions for many laps including a flip and a car fire. The Sportsman-Modified race that year was famous for having a record 37 car crash on the first lap, from a field of 68 cars. The Firecracker 250 was won by Jack Smith over Cotton Owens, both in Pontiacs.
Chapter 2: The Early 1960s
The 1961 edition of the first qualifying race had Fireball Roberts winning in a 1961 Pontiac owned by Smokey Yunick. The race was halted after 39 laps because of a major crash. Jr Johnson was racing next to Roberts when he may have hit some debris. His car touched Richard Petty’s, sending Petty over the fence in turn 1. Petty received minor injuries. Johnson’s Pontiac hit the wall head on, causing him a cut on his chin. Richard’s father, Lee, was involved in a major crash with Johnny Beauchamp in the second qualifier. Their cars locked fenders, rammed through the guardrail, and over the embankment. The crash effectively ended Lee’s driving career. The race was won by Joe Weatherly in a Bud Moore prepared 1961 Pontiac. Fireball won the pole position with a speed of 155.709 mph. In the main event, Smokey Yunick’s Pontiac won the race. It wasn’t driven by Fireball Roberts, but by Marvin Panch beating Weatherly. Notable finishers included Fred Lorenzen-4th, Cotton Owens-5th, Ned Jarrett-7th, Buck Baker-9th, Rex White-12th, Fireball-20th, Pearson-21st, Tim Flock-24th, Elmo Langley-25th, Banjo Matthews-27th, future winner Bobby Allison-31st, Buddy Baker-40th, Jr. Johnson-47th, and Curtis Turner-55th in the Wood Brothers Ford with 58 starters. Later in the year NASCAR banned both Tim Flock and Curtis Turner for trying to recruit drivers to join the Teamsters Union. The ban was lifted in 1965, Turner returned but Flock’s career was over. There were no Pettys in the 500 mile race. David Pearson won the Firecracker 250 in a Ray Fox Pontiac in July. Just like the 500 this race held 2 qualifying races that were won by Roberts and Pearson.
Nineteen sixty two was Glen “Fireball” Roberts year! Roberts earned the pole position for owner Jim Stephens by going 156.999 mph. He won the 500 in a 62 Pontiac, leading 144 laps. He also won the Firecracker 250 in July. Richard Petty again improved his finish position to 2nd place in a Plymouth Savoy; maybe someday he can win at Daytona. Joe Weatherly was 3rd place, Lorenzen-5th for Holman-Moody, David Pearson-6th, Rex White-7th, Banjo Matthews-8th, Jarrett-9th, Bob Welborn-10th for Julian Petty who is Lee’s brother, racing great Dan Gurney-27th for Holman-Moody, Buck Baker-28th, his son Buddy-29th, Cotton Owens-33rd, Jr. Johnson-34, Ralph Earnhardt-36th, future Indy car racer Wally Dallenbach-37th, legendary driver Red Farmer-40th, Elmo Langley-47th, and NASCAR great Cale Yarborough finished 48th and last. Like the previous year the qualifying races were won by Fireball and Weatherly. A new race was added to “Speed Week”, called the Daytona Continental. It was a 3 Hour sports car race on the new infield road course and portions of the oval. Dan Gurney won the race. In 1966 it became a 24 hour race.
In 1963, Jr. Johnson won the first qualifying race and future Indy 500 winner Johnny Rutherford the second, in Chevrolets. The Chevy’s had a new 427 cubic inch engine, nicknamed the Porcupine because the valve stems stuck out. Before the 500, Marvin Panch was injured at Daytona when the Maserati he was driving crashed. He suffered burns in the accident, and one of his rescuers was NASCAR driver Tiny Lund. Because Panch couldn’t race in the 500, he convinced his car owners to put Lund behind the wheel. Tiny Lund won the race for the Wood Brothers on 1 set of tires on their 1963 Ford! He beat Fred Lorenzen, Ned Jarrett, and Dan Gurney all in new 427 Ford Galaxies. Richard Petty-6th in a 426 Plymouth, last year and this year’s point champion Joe Weatherly-8th in his final Daytona 500 (he would be killed in January, 1964 at Riverside, Rutherford-9th driving for Smokey Yunick, 1952 Indy winner Troy Ruttman-12th, future winner Lee Roy Yarbrough-13th, Rex White-14th, Parnell Jones-15th would win the Indy 500 months later, Fireball-20th, Black American Wendell Scott-26th, future winner AJ Foyt-27th, Indy car driver Jim Hurtubise-28th in a Petty Plymouth, Indy car driver Len Sutton-31st, Billy Wade-41st for Cotton Owens, Jr. Johnson-42nd for Ray Fox, and Ralph Earnhardt-47th in a field of 50. Please note the amount of open wheel drivers wanting to race in the Daytona 500! Roberts earned the pole position with a speed of 160.943 mph for Banjo Matthews. The Firecracker race, lengthened to 400, was again won by Fireball Roberts.
Nineteen Sixty-four would be a bloody year in the auto racing world, but it was a good year for Dodge and Plymouth. Junior Johnson won Daytona’s first qualifying race in a Dodge! Newcomer and future NASCAR Champion Bobby Isaac won the second qualifying race, also in a Dodge, after Richard Petty ran out of gas on the last lap; but Richard Petty won the race. Petty led 184 laps, including the last 149, and earned the pole position (174.9 mph) in a 1964 Plymouth. Jim Pardue (killed later in the year) finished in second place and Paul Goldsmith finished third, both in Plymouths. It was the first win for the experimental 426 Hemi engine. Marvin Panch—4th for the Wood Brothers, Jim Paschal-5th for Cotton Owens, Billy Wade-6th a rising star driving for Bud Moore was killed while testing for the next year’s race, Jr. Johnson-9th for Ray Fox, Dave McDonald-10th was killed months later in the Indy 500, Tiny Lund-11th, Buck Baker-12th in a Petty Plymouth, Gurney-14th for the Wood Brothers, Isaac-15th, Cale Yarborough-17th, Ralph Earnhardt-19th, AJ Foyt-24th for Banjo Matthews, Indy car driver Jim McElreath-25th, Johnny Rutherford-26th skidded on his roof, Ned Jarrett-27th, Parnelli Jones-28th, Buddy Baker-29th, Pearson-30th for Cotton Owens, Fred Lorenzen-31st, Indy car driver Bobby Marshman-35th was killed later in the year while testing, Bobby Johns-36th, Fireball Roberts-37th died before the Firecracker race from injuries in a stock car crash in May at Charlotte, Wendell Scott-38th, and Neil Castles in a 1962 Chrysler for Buck Baker last in a field of 46. The ARCA series made its first appearance as Nelson Stacy won the 250 miler. AJ Foyt won the Firecracker over Bobby Isaac both in Ray Nichel’s Dodges.
Chapter 3: The Late 1960s
Because the Hemi engine dominated the previous year, NASCAR outlaws the engine and Ford dominated the 1965 race. A new tire design by Goodyear, called the Lifeguard Inner Tire, was debuted. It is a tire inside another tire, which helps a driver regain control after a tire failure. Pole winner Darel Dieringer (171.151 mph) won the first qualifying race in a Mercury for Bud Moore, Jr. Johnson won the second race in a Ford. During the second race Rod Eulenfeld had problems with his Ford. In turn 4 it spun, slid to the flat part of the turn and then shot back up the banking. It hit another car landing on its roof and then flipped over and caught on fire upside down. He wasn’t injured and the footage was used in a Hollywood movie (Red Line 7000). The top 13 cars in the Daytona 500 were Fords; including the winner Fred Lorenzen driving for Holman-Moody in the first rain shortened 500. The race lasted just 333 miles. Dieringer finished second, Bobby Johns-3rd for Holman-Moody, Earl Balmer-4th for Bud Moore, Jarrett-5th, Panch-6th for the Wood Brothers led 80 laps, Cale-9th, Allison-11th, Wendell Scott-20th, Elmo Langley-21st, Johnson-28th, Tiny Lund-29th, Red Farmer-36th, and Buddy Baker-40th for his dad. AJ Foyt won the Firecracker again, but this time for the Wood Brothers Ford team. Foyt missed the 500 because of severe injuries from a racing crash earlier in the year at Riverside. On another note about the Wood Brothers team, they pitted race winner Jim Clark’s car in the Indy 500!
NASCAR reinstated Dodge and Plymouth late in the 1965 season, and they came back to Daytona with something to prove. They won both qualifying races with Paul Goldsmith in a 65 Plymouth, and Earl Balmer in a 1965 Dodge. Richard Petty won the 500 in a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere, leading 108 laps, and was the first driver to repeat a win in the race. The race was stopped because of rain for the second year in a row, this time after 198 laps. He also won the pole position with a speed of 175.163 mph. Cale Yarborough finished in second while driving for Banjo Matthews and David Pearson took third place driving for Cotton Owens. Fred Lorenzen-4th for Holman-Moody, Jim Hurtubise-6th, Ned Jarrett-7th, Lee Roy Yarbrough-8th, Wendell Scott-13th, Bobby Allison-20th, Bobby Isaac-21st, Buck Baker-22nd, Curtis Turner-25th, and his Wood Brothers teammate Marvin Panch-26th, Johnny Rutherford-28th, future Indy 500 winner Gordon Johncock-29th, Buddy Baker-32nd, AJ Foyt-33rd, future winner Mario Andretti-37th crashed driving for Smokey Yunick, Elmo Langley-45th, and Sonny Hutchins-47th for Junie Donlavey. Junior Johnson retired as a driver and became a car owner; his drivers for the race were Bobby Isaac and AJ Foyt. The 1966 Firecracker race was won by Sam McQuagg in a Dodge with a new feature; a rear spoiler!
The 1967 NASCAR racing season would be one marked by Richard Petty’s dominance in a Plymouth. He would go on to win 27 races, including 10 races in a row, from 48 starts. However, at Daytona he didn’t win either qualifying races. They were won by Lee Roy Yarbrough in a Plymouth, and Fred Lorenzen in a Ford. The fast qualifier for the race was veteran Curtis Turner in a Smokey Yunick Chevrolet by going 180.831 mph! Last season NASCAR mandated the use of stock shaped body templates, now used at Daytona for the first time. The race was won by one of the all-time great drivers, Mario Andretti, leading 112 laps in a Holman-Moody Ford Fairlane with a 427 cubic inch engine. Lorenzen finished second also in a Holman Moody Ford, and last season’s Rookie of the Year James Hylton was third. Other driver’s results include Tiny Lund-4th in a Petty Plymouth, Darel Dieringer-6th for Jr Johnson, Sonny Hutchins-7th for Junie Donlavey, Richard Petty-8th, Jim Hurtubise-9th, Donnie Allison-11th was younger brother of Bobby, Wendell Scott-15th, Bobby Isaac-19th, Elmo Langley-20th, Sam McQuagg-22nd for Bud Moore, David Pearson-24th for Cotton Owens, Turner-25th, Buddy Baker-28th, Gordon Johncock-30th, Indy car driver Gary Bettenhausen-31st for Harry Ranier, Yarbrough-34th, Foyt-37th for Banjo Matthews, Cale Yarborough-39th in a Wood Brothers Ford, Bud Moore’s driver Bobby Allison-40th, his friend Red Farmer-42nd and Coo Coo Marlin-50th and last. Cale won the Firecracker race for the Wood’s beating Dick Hutcherson.
Speeds for the 10 anniversary of the Daytona 500 increased dramatically over last year. For the first time Daytona didn’t have any qualifying races because they were rained out. Cale Yarborough started on the pole position in a Mercury Cyclone, and Richard Petty started on the outside pole in a Plymouth Road Runner. Cale Yarborough won the 1968 Daytona 500, picking up where he left off from last July. He also won the pole position at 189.222 mph and led 76 laps. It was the second win in this race for the Wood Brother’s team. The man who is mistaken for his relative but is not, Lee Roy Yarbrough finished in second also in a Mercury. Notable drivers include Bobby Allison-3rd in a Ford Torino, future Indy 500 winner Al Unser-4th in a Dodge Charger led 11 laps for Cotton Owens, David Pearson-5th for Holman-Moody, Petty-8th, Tiny Lund-9th for Bud Moore, Andy Hampton-10th for Harry Ranier, AJ Foyt-12th for Banjo Matthews, Wendell Scott-17th, newcomer Dave Marcis-20th, Elmo Langley-25th, Jim Hurtubise-27th, Mario Andretti-29th led early for Holman-Moody, Buddy Baker-30th for Ray Fox, Bobby Isaac-36th, Bobby Johns-37th, Sonny Hutchins-38th for Junie Donlavey, Donnie Allison-40th, and Red Farmer-43rd from a field of 50. Cale won back to back Firecracker races leading 142 of 160 laps.
Buddy Baker won the pole position for the 1969 race by going 188.901 mph in a Ray Fox Dodge Charger. Ford brought a new 429 cubic inch engine, called “The Semi Hemi,” but it was disallowed by NASCAR. The first qualifying race was won by David Pearson, driving a Holman-Moody Ford. He would go on to win the points title after winning last year’s title also. Bobby Isaac won the second race in a Dodge. Junior Johnson won the second running of this race as a driver, but this year he won it as a car owner. Lee Roy Yarbrough drove his Ford to the victory over Charlie Glotzbach, driving for Cotton Owens, and Donnie Allison who led 87 laps for Banjo Matthews. Yarbrough passed Glotzbach as they entered the third turn on the last lap! Lee Roy went on to win the “Triple Crown” that year which included the World 600 and the Southern 500. AJ Foyt-4th, Buddy Baker-5th for Ray Fox, David Pearson-6th, future champ and recent ARCA winner Benny Parsons-7th, Richard Petty-8th in a Ford, Dave Marcis-17th, Elmo Langley-20th, Wendell Scott-29th, Isaac-30th, future Indy car driver Swede Savage-36th for the Wood Brothers, Cale Yarborough-38th also with the Wood Brothers, J D McDuffie-39th, Bobby Johns-40th, last year’s Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser-42nd for Smokey Yunick, Bobby Allison-43rd, and former Sportsman champ Pete Hamilton-44th. For the first time attendance was estimated at over 100,000. Lee Roy doubled up at Daytona by winning the Firecracker race over Buddy Baker.
Chapter 4: The Early 1970s
In the 1970 edition of the Daytona 500, Cale Yarborough won the first qualifying race in a 1969 Mercury Cyclone owned by the Wood Brothers team. He also won the pole position at a speed of 194.015 mph. Charlie Glotzbach won the second race in a winged Dodge Daytona that was marred by the death of driver Talmadge Prince. The engine of Prince’s car failed, he spun in his own oil, and was hit in the driver side door by another competitor. Three days before his death he had celebrated his 32nd birthday. In the 500, Pete Hamilton won the race in a winged Plymouth Superbird for Petty Enterprises. He beat David Pearson-2nd for Holman-Moody in a next to last lap duel, Bobby Allison-3rd, Glotzbach finished 4th, Bobby Isaac-5th, Jim Hurtubise-7th driving for Tom Pistone, Lee Roy Yarbrough-9th for Jr Johnson, Dave Marcis-10th, Tiny Lund-13th, Benny Parsons-14th, Buddy Baker-27th for Cotton Owens, Elmo Langley-28th, AJ Foyt-32nd, Donnie Allison-35th for Banjo Matthews, Cale-37th, Jim Vandiver-38th for Ray Fox, and Richard Petty-39th returning to Plymouth. After Richard Petty exited the race he coached Hamilton to the win. Pearson led 82 laps, the most of all drivers. The Firecracker 400 that year was won by Donnie Allison in a Ford over Buddy Baker in a Dodge.
NASCAR was making a big change when they returned to Daytona. Winston cigarettes began sponsoring the point’s race. It was known as the Winston Cup Series, and races had to be 250 miles or more to be eligible. Winston would sponsor every race in the 1972 season. Pete Hamilton picked up in 1971 right where he left off by winning the first qualifying race in a Cotton Owens’ Plymouth. David Pearson won the other race in a 1969 Mercury. This was the last year that the 125 mile qualifying races would count as an actual Grand National (Cup) race win. NASCAR didn’t outlaw the winged cars but made them use a smaller engine. It was a good 500 for the Petty’s with Richard winning in a Plymouth leading 69 laps, and Buddy Baker finishing in second in a Petty prepared Dodge! AJ Foyt started from the pole by going 182.744 mph and finished in third driving for the Wood Brothers. David Pearson-4th for Holman-Moody, Fred Lorenzen-5th, Dick Brooks-7th in a 305 cubic inch Dodge Daytona led 5 laps, Jim Hurtubise-8th, Bobby Isaac-10th, Elmo Langley-14th, sports car superstar driver Pedro Rodriquez-13th, Bobby Allison-18th, Dave Marcis-25th, Donnie Allison-26th for Banjo Matthews, Bill Dennis-27th for Junie Donlavey, Hamilton-28th, Red Farmer-32nd, Cale Yarborough-33rd for Ray Fox, Lee Roy Yarbrough-34th for Jr Johnson, Benny Parsons-35th, and Tiny Lund-39th. Maynard Troyer had one of the most spectacular crashes in Daytona history. On lap 9 his Mercury flipped over multiple times, Troyer received a broken arm! Bobby Isaac won the Firecracker in a 1971 Dodge over Richard Petty in a Plymouth.
Nineteen seventy two was AJ Foyt’s year in the 500. Foyt led an incredible 167 laps in his Wood Brothers 1971 Mercury. Speedweeks started well for Bobby Isaac, he won the pole position going 186.632 mph in his Dodge, and won a qualifying race. His Daytona 500 lasted only 19 laps before the engine failed. Charlie Glotzbach, driving a Dodge for Cotton Owens, finished in second. Jim VanDiver-3rd, Benny Parsons-4th, Cale Yarborough-6th for Ray Fox, Elmo Langley-12th, Bobby Allison who won the other qualifier-16th , open wheel racer Larry Dickson-21st, Jim Hurtubise-22nd, Bill Dennis-23rd for Junie Donlavey, Richard Petty-26th with STP sponsorship, Dave Marcis-27th, Red Farmer-30th, Isaac-33rd, Buddy Baker-34th for Petty, and Mark Donohue-35th for Penske three months later he will be the Indy 500 winner. Raymond “Friday” Hassler was killed during a 125 mile qualifying race crash. During the 500, Walter Ballard and Buddy Baker crashed in the tri-oval with Ballard sliding on his roof until he hit the grassy infield and then flipped again. The Wood Brothers’ Mercury won the Firecracker 400, this time they had teamed up with a driver and a sponsor that combined for many wins, David Pearson and Purolater! The man they beat would be a fierce competitor for years to come, Richard Petty and STP.
Richard Petty won his first Daytona 500 for STP; his 1973 Dodge led 17 laps. Bobby Isaac finished second in a Ford for Bud Moore, and Richard Brooks was third for Cotton Owens. AJ Foyt-4th as a car owner, Hershel McGriff-5th place for the west coast stock car legend, Buddy Baker-6th after winning the pole position at 185.662 mph and led 156 laps in the number 71 Dodge, Iowan Ramo Stott-8th for Junie Donlavey, Darrell Waltrip-12th as a rookie, Cale Yarborough-22nd, Bobby Allison-25th, Dave Marcis-27th, Benny Parsons-30th, Red Farmer-32nd, Pearson-33rd, Marty Robbins-34th for the country singer, Tiny Lund finished 36th, Gordon Johncock-38th for Hoss Ellington would win the next Indy 500, and Pete Hamilton-40th. Qualifiers were won by Baker and Coo Coo Marlin, who never won an “official” Cup race in his career. Like the previous year, Firecracker David Pearson in his 1971 Mercury, beat Richard Petty in his 1973 Dodge.
In 1974 Richard Petty won back to back Daytona 500’s, this time in his 1974 Dodge Charger leading 74 laps. The race was shortened to 450 miles because of a national energy crisis. Cale Yarborough finished in second in a 1974 Chevrolet, and Ramo Stott was third also in a Chevrolet. Coo Coo Marlin-4th, AJ Foyt-5th, Donnie Allison-6th after leading 41 laps for newcomer DiGard Racing, Darrell Waltrip-7th in his own Chevrolet, Bobby Isaac-8th, Gary Bettenhausen-12th in a 1974 Penske Matador, Dave Marcis-14th, Richie Panch-18th is the son of former winner Marvin Panch, sports car ace George Follmer-20th for Bud Moore, Bill Dennis-21st for Junie Donlavey, Benny Parsons-22nd, Lennie Pond-23rd place for last year’s Rookie of the Year, Johnnie Rutherford-24th after a long absence, Jim Hurtubise-25th, JD McDuffie-28th, Bobby Allison-30th, Dick Simon-31st Indy car driver brought Travel Lodge as a sponsor, future Rookie of the Year Tony Bettenhausen Jr-33rd was the son of an open wheel legend, David Pearson-35th after winning the pole at 185.817 mph for the Wood’s, Charlie Glotzbach-36th for Hoss Ellington, and Richard Childress-40th. In a sad coincidence, both Richie Panch (September 2, 1985) and Tony Bettenhausen Jr (February 14, 2000) were killed in airplane crashes. Qualifiers were won by Isaac and Yarborough. A new all star racing series The International Race of Champions was held at the track. The race, contested on the oval, was won by Mark Donohue in a Porsche. Again it was Pearson beating Petty in the Firecracker.
Chapter 5: The Late 1970s
In 1975, David Pearson was leading late in the race when he collided with Richie Panch. Richard Petty’s car had an overheating problem earlier in the race and he had been helping Benny Parsons by drafting with him. Benny took the lead and led the last 3 laps to win in a 1975 Chevrolet. Bobby Allison finished in second in an AMC Matador owned by Roger Penske. Cale Yarborough-3rd driving for Jr. Johnson, Pearson-4th, Petty-7th, Panch-8th, long time drivers GC Spencer-9th and James Hylton-10th, AJ Foyt-11th for Hoss Ellington, Richard Childress-18th, Buddy Baker-20th for Bud Moore, Dick Brooks finished 22nd for Junie Donlavey, Tommy Gale-23rd for Elmo Langley, Darrell Waltrip-26th, Johnny Rutherford-27th, and his teammate Donnie Allison-28th also won the pole position at 185.827 mph, future Rookie of the Year Bruce Hill-32nd, and Marty Robbins-39th. A large crash eliminated 9 cars on the third lap. Bobby Allison and Pearson won the qualifiers. In the 1975 Firecracker Petty’s Dodge beat Buddy Baker’s Ford.
Although David Pearson was denied the win in last year’s Daytona 500, he certainly made up for it with his historic 1976 victory over rival Richard Petty. The two crashed together as they exited the fourth turn heading toward the checkered flag. Both spun into the infield tri-oval area, but Pearson was able to keep his Wood Brother’s Mercury running. He limped past the stalled Dodge of Petty to win! Many consider it one of the greatest finishes in NASCAR history. Benny Parsons-3rd, Neil Bonnett-5th, JD McDuffie-7th, Richard Childress-9th as a car owner, Salt Walther-12th was seriously injured at the start of the 1973 Indy 500, Jim Hurtubise-16th, AJ Foyt-22nd for Hoss Ellington, Bobby Allison-25th in a Penske Mercury, Dave Marcis won the first qualifier-27th, Darrell Waltrip won the second qualifier-32nd driving for DiGard, Buddy Baker-33rd for Bud Moore, David Hobbs-34th is a former Grand Prix driver and teammate to Parsons, Dick Brooks-41st for Junie Donlavey, and the year’s point champion Cale Yarborough-42nd after completing just 1 lap for Junior Johnson. Ramo Stott won the pole position going 183.456 mph in a Chevrolet after both Darrell Waltrip and AJ Foyt had their times disallowed because of rules infractions. Cale beat Pearson in the Firecracker 400 which was raced on the nation’s 200th birthday!
Nineteen seventy seven was the second year in a row that Cale Yarborough would win the points title (1976-78), but he also made Daytona International Speedway his personal playground. Driving Junior Johnson’s Chevrolet he won a qualifier and in the 500 led an astounding 137 laps beating Bennie Parsons, also in a Chevrolet. Buddy Baker-3rd for Bud Moore, Coo Coo Marlin-4th, Dick Brooks-5th for Junie Donlavey, AJ Foyt-6th, Darrell Waltrip-7th, Janet Guthrie-12th became the first lady driver to compete at Daytona and Indianapolis, JD McDuffie-13th, Bobby Allison-15th in his own Matador, Jim Vandiver-20th for Harry Ranier, David Pearson-21st for the Wood’s, Ricky Rudd-22nd in his first of many starts, Richard Childress-23rd, Salt Walther-24th crashing after 114 laps, Petty won his only 125 mile qualifier at Daytona-26th, Dave Marcis-28th for Penske, Donnie Allison-30th after winning the pole position at 188.048 mph for Hoss Ellington then crashed at lap 88, Jim Hurtubise-35th, Neil Bonnett-37th for K&K, sports car racer Elliott Forbes-Robinson-40th, and Johnny Rutherford-41st. Richard Petty beat Darrell Waltrip in the Firecracker.
Cale won the pole for the 500 in 1978 by going 187.5 mph in a Chevrolet. However it was his rival Bobby Allison who won his first Daytona 500 in Bud Moore’s Ford. It was Moore’s first win and Ford Thunderbird’s first win also. Cale finished in second, while Benny Parsons drove to third, both in Chevrolets. Ron Hutcherson -4th for car owner AJ Foyt lost to Parsons in a photo finish, Richard Brooks-5th for Junie Donlavey, Dave Marcis-6th for Rod Osterlund, Buddy Baker-7th led 76 laps but broke the engine after 196 laps for MC Anderson, Bill Elliott-8th in his first 500, Lennie Pond-10th for Harry Ranier, Richard Childress-13th, Tommy Gale-25th for Elmo Langley, Coo Coo Marlin-26th, Neil Bonnett-27th, Darrell Waltrip-28th, sports car champion Al Holbert-29th, JD McDuffie-30th, AJ Foyt-32nd after flipping in the tri oval, Petty-33rd and Pearson-34th crashed out at lap 60, Ricky Rudd-37th, Donnie Allison-39th , Morgan Shepherd-40th, and Harry Gant-41st and last. Twin 125 milers were won by Foyt and Waltrip. In the Firecracker it was the Silver Fox, David Pearson, defeating Cale for the win. Dale Earnhardt made his first start at Daytona finishing in 7th place in a Ford.
The 1979 edition of the race will always be remembered for the fight between Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers. Going down the backstretch on the last lap, Donnie Allison was leading the race. Cale tried to pass him on the inside. Donnie blocked him and the two made contact, and slid together into the outside wall before spinning into the infield near the third turn. Richard Petty inherited the lead with Darrell Waltrip, and AJ Foyt fighting it out at the finish. Petty won the race in an Oldsmobile after leaving Dodge during last year’s season. Waltrip who won a Qualifier was second, and Foyt finished third. After the cameras followed the finish, they went back to the third turn where a fight had broken out involving the former leaders. Then Bobby Allison, who was not in contention for the win, joined the fight after some words were exchanged with Cale. This marked the first time the race was covered flag to flag. A major snowstorm on the east coast also added to the audience. The media attention catapulted the race into the national spotlight where it continues to this day. Attendance was estimated at 120,000. Other finishers were Donnie Allison-4th after leading 93 laps and being involved in an early race incident for Hoss Ellington, Cale-5th for Jr Johnson were all in Olds, future NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt-8th for Rod Osterlund led 10 laps in his first 500 in a Buick, Coo Coo Marlin-9th, Bobby Allison-11th for Bud Moore, Terry Labonte-16th a future NASCAR champion, Richard Childress-17th, Benny Parsons-18th, Dave Marcis-24th, JD McDuffie-25th, Geoff Bodine-29th, Rudd-31st for Junie Donlavey, Neil Bonnett-32nd, David Pearson-37th after a 4 car crash for the Wood Bros, and Buddy Baker who won the pole position by going over 196 mph and a Qualifier for Harry Ranier finished 40th. Richard Petty’s son Kyle won the ARCA race held earlier in a Petty prepared Dodge Magnum. A new race was added to the lineup called The Clash. It was made for pole position winners from the previous season. Buddy Baker won the 20 lap event. Neil Bonnett won the Firecracker race in a Wood Brothers Mercury over Benny Parsons. The Wood’s team split with David Pearson over a bad pit stop at Darlington during the spring race there.