NASCAR Xfinity Series
Hour 147 of Daytona countdown: Lee Petty wins first Daytona 500 by one yard
NASCAR Xfinity Series

Hour 147 of Daytona countdown: Lee Petty wins first Daytona 500 by one yard

Published Feb. 20, 2017 11:38 a.m. ET

The first Daytona 500, which was called the 500-mile International Sweepstakes, helped to put NASCAR on the map with one of the most exciting finishes in the early history of the Great American Race.

Lee Petty, the patriarch of the Petty clan, battled Johnny Beauchamp to the start-finish line and initially, Beauchamp was named the race winner.

It took several days of review and the help of a local newspaper's photographer before Big Bill France verified that Petty had Beauchamp by a yard when the drivers crossed the line.

Make sure to tune into the 59th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. ET on FOX.

ADVERTISEMENT
share


Get more from NASCAR Xfinity Series Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more