Lee Petty, driver of the No. 42 Oldsmobile, poses in front
of his car after winning the first 1959 Daytona 500 race at
the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 25, 1959.

Sunday afternoon’s Daytona 500 will be the 65th running of
what NASCAR self-proclaims as “The Great American Race.”

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

On February 18, 2001, Dale Earnhardt Sr., considered one of
the greatest drivers in National Association for Stock Car
Auto Racing (NASCAR) history, died at the age of 49 in a last-
lap crash at the 43rd Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Earnhardt was driving his famous black No. 3 Chevrolet and
vying for third place when he collided with another car, then
crashed into a wall. After being cut from his car, Earnhardt, 
was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead of
head injuries.

Kannapolis, NC: Dale Earnhardt Memorial.

(NBC) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As NASCAR celebrates its 75th
anniversary season, its Hall of Fame inducted three men
whose careers collectively spanned from the sport’s
beginnings to recent times.

Matt Kenseth, Hershel McGriff and Kirk Shelmerdine (above) 
were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday night,
becoming the Hall’s 13th class.

(Fox News/ AP) – NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson (above) pulled a
Tom Brady on the racing world. After announcing his retirement
back in 2020, he will be making his comeback as part-owner and
driver of Petty GMS in 2023. He expects to enter about five races — including the Daytona 500.

(Fox News) – NASCAR Cup Series driver Kurt Busch (above) 
announced he will be stepping away from full-time racing.

Busch made the announcement from his hometown of Las
Vegas and said he will miss the rest of this season and will
not race full-time in Cup next year.

Bush stated, "As I continue to focus on my health and work
towards being cleared, I will be stepping away from full-time
NASCAR Cup Series competition in 2023.”