Lee Petty winning the Daytona 500 in the first-ever photo
finish in the history of the sport.

On February 22, 1959, Lee Petty defeated Johnny Beauchamp
in a photo finish at the just-opened Daytona International
Speedway in Florida to win the first-ever Daytona 500.

Lee Arnold Petty (March 14, 1914 – April 5, 2000)

On February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt Sr., considered one of
the greatest drivers in NASCAR history, died at the age of 49
in a last-lap crash at the 43rd Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach,
Florida.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s death made him the fourth NASCAR driver
to die within a nine-month period and eventually prompted
NASCAR officials to implement a series of more stringent
safety regulations, including the use of head-and-neck
restraints.

Tyler Reddick (30), who drives for Michael Jordan’s 23XI
Racing, was in first place when he crossed the line at
Daytona International Speedway and won the Daytona
500 for the first time in his career. He didn’t lead a single
lap until the very end.

On February 15, 1998, after 20 years of trying, racing great
Dale Earnhardt Sr. finally won his first Daytona 500, the
NASCAR season opener and an event dubbed the “Super
Bowl of stock car racing.”

Driving his black No. 3 Chevrolet, Earnhardt recorded an
average speed of 172.712 m.p.h. and took home a then-
record more than $1 million in prize money.

Following his victory, crews from competing teams lined
the pit road at the Daytona International Speedway in
Daytona Beach, Florida, to congratulate Earnhardt, who
drove his car onto the grass and did several celebratory
doughnuts, or circles.

Earnhardt, whose tough, aggressive driving style earned
him the nickname “The Intimidator,”

   
Dale Earnhardt Sr. (April 29, 1951 – February 18, 2001)

On February 22, 1959, Lee Petty defeated Johnny Beauchamp
in a photo finish at the just-opened Daytona International
Speedway in Florida to win the first-ever Daytona 500.