Beech Tree News Network

On February 22, 1959, Daytona International Speedway hosted the inaugural Daytona 500.  A field of 59 cars took the green flag for the race, with the prize that day being $67,760.  A crowd of 41,000 were in attendance to see Lee Petty take the checkered flag, and witness the beginning of another chapter in the history of Daytona. Fifty-three years later, the Daytona 500 is known as, among other nicknames, the Superbowl of NASCAR.  It truly is the race everyone wants to win.

Broadcaster Ken Squier gave the Daytona 500 the moniker “The Great American Race.”  Jeff Gordon says “it’s the ultimate race.  There’s no better place to win than Daytona.”  Daytona has been the scene of some crazy finishes.  I recall the wildest finish, in 2007.  Kevin Harvick started 7th on the restart, nipping Mark Martin at the finish line to win the 49th annual Daytona 500.  While this was happening, a multi-car accident broke out where Clint Bowyer’s car flipped and caught fire while crossing the finish line! Many if not every racing aficionado recalls the ’79 race where Cale Yarborough (later a winner in ’83) crashed, giving way for Richard Petty to pass Darrell Waltrip for his sixth 500 victory.

1990 offered the biggest upset, as Derrike Cope, in just his third 500 start, fended off Terry Labonte to get the win.  Tied for my personal favorites came in 2004 and 1998.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. won the Great American Race in 2004, the late, great Dale Earnhardt, after 20 tries, finally won the race in 1998.

What’s cool about this year is that this is Danica Patrick’s first Cup start ever.  Gene Haas, co-owner of Stewart-Hass racing, said “if she can just hold her own, I’ll be impressed.”  Perhaps Ms. Patrick is looking to take a cue from the last several winners.  These past few years, this race has belonged to the Young Guns.  In 2009, Matt Kenseth took the checkered flag.  In 2010, it was Jamie McMurray’s time.  Last year, Knoxville, Tennessee’s Trevor Bayne got the win.  The question is: Who will win the 2012 Daytona 500? We shall see Sunday at 11 am on FOX!

Hello, my name is Andy Sullivan. I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in May 2009. I began writing for Beech Tree News in July 2009.  I enjoy playing guitar, the occasional Wii game, writing, and listening to music. I write a sports blog that can be found at http://andy-sportshorts.blogspot.com. If you have a comment, feel free to leave it in the space below.