Honorable mention: Bill Elliott's dominant 1987 performance, during which he set the track record for pretty much all time. His lap at 210.364 mph will likely not be approached until some time in the distant future. As fast as he was in qualifying, he was just that much faster in the race, although his average speed of 176.263 fell short of Baker's race record.
5 Top story lines to come from the daytona 500Dale Earnhardt's first victory in 1998-coincidentally the kickoff for the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR-was major news. After 19 years of trying and failing to win the big one, after winning virtually everything else, the big check and the big breaks finally went Earnhardt's way.
Dale Earnhardt's death on the final lap in the final turn at Daytona during the 2001 Daytona 500. After having won his own Daytona 500 in a Richard Childress Chevrolet, Earnhardt was on the verge of seeing one of his race cars win the race, but the last-lap crash prevented him from seeing it. His death was the most shattering event to happen in NASCAR history, and it rocked the sport to its very soul. His death also triggered NASCAR's efforts to improve safety.
Tiny Lund won the 1963 Daytona 500 in a car originally assigned to Marvin Panch. Ten days before the 500, Panch was practicing in a Maserati sports car for the annual race during Speedweeks. The car caught fire, and Lund was one of the five people who ran to his aid. From his hospital bed, Panch asked the Wood Brothers, Glen and Leonard, to let Lund drive his car. Lund then played fuel strategy to the hilt, crossing the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Fred Lorenzen with only vapor remaining in the tank. Lund led a top-five sweep by Ford that year.
Derrike Cope was the most surprised man on the planet in 1990, when Dale Earnhardt had a tire let go entering Turn 3 on the last lap. While Earnhardt kept the car off the wall-how he did so is still a mystery-Cope went around and raced to his first and only Daytona 500 victory. He was the story of the year in NASCAR.
Darrell Waltrip was nearing the end of his career in 1989, and he had gone 17 Daytona 500s without winning one. Waltrip held off Ken Schrader to win that race, despite the fact Schrader had been dominant all day long (he led 114 laps). Waltrip won by more than six seconds, and in Victory Lane did his version of the "Ickey Shuffle," the end-zone celebration dance made famous by a Cincinnati Bengals running back.
Top 5 Reasons To Go To DaytonaNo matter how you slice it, Florida in February is warmer than just about everywhere else. Though it can still get cold down there, somehow the sight of palm trees and beaches makes it seem warmer. Also, if you're a race fan, everyone you know will be there.
There is a magic about Speedweeks that other tracks try to duplicate, but never seem to get quite right. It's sort of like spring training for baseball. You know that the coming season is just about ready to roll, and you are there when it does. Standing in the tri-oval grass at the start-finish line is an experience every NASCAR fan should have.
If the ever-shortening off-season has you about to tear the roof off the house, then you'll get your fill of racing at Daytona. In addition to what goes on at the big track, there's Volusia County Speedway in Barberville, where you can see Modifieds, Dirt Late Models, and even open-wheel cars. The same is true of East Bay Raceway near Tampa, where every race-themed product you can find is front and center. Florida's lively short-track scene is encapsulated by the annual World Series at New Smyrna Speedway, where Tony Stewart has been known to hang out and drive Modifieds. In short, it is the fix you racing junkies need.
If you are interested in hanging out with the hoi polloi of NASCAR, Daytona is the only place to be in February. It is not unusual to see drivers and team members out on the town, and some even dare to eat in public places, albeit with security attached. You can see the legends of the sport, who have an active club schedule of dinners, appearances, and banquets, and there's plenty of natural scenery among the race fans. There's a reason Spring Break is so big here.
History. So much of racing's past has ties to Daytona Beach, and it is much the same feeling to racing fans that history buffs get at Gettysburg or Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Chances are, the ground you're walking on has been trod by legendary racers, and it's a cool feeling.
Top 5 Places To Be Seen During SpeedweeksThe Ocean Deck: Where the elite meet to have fun and consume an adult beverage or 12 before getting back to business.
Chart House: This elegant eatery is right on the Halifax River, hard by all the yachts the more affluent owners sail down for Speedweeks. It's a hoot to stand on the deck of the Chart House and see Roger Penske's battleship-sized yacht tied up alongside the late Dale Earnhardt's famed Sunday Money.
The Shark Lounge: If you're ready for a walk on the wild side, this is the place. Long a hangout of short-track racers, especially the Modified gang, the Shark is right on A1A and well within the range of nearby hotels. The Shark is not for the faint of heart, but if you like a rollicking good time, this is for you.
The Speedway. Enough Said.New Smyrna Speedway: The World Series of stock car racing. This half-mile is one of the toughest, little bullrings in the country, and racers from all over the East Coast and Midwest make the trip to get a head start on the season. You'll see some great racing, some hot action, and have a fine old time.
Top 5 Active Drivers Never To Have Won At DaytonaRusty Wallace: The Missouri driver has raced at Daytona since 1984 without sniffing Victory Lane. His best finish to date was Third in 2001, and he's had nightmares about February in Florida for years. Could this be his year? It better be, because it will be his last. He's retiring after the 2005 season.
Ricky Rudd: Rudd's winless streak in the 500 is 27 years, although he's been close a time or two. His best finish was Third in 1981, driving the Gatorade No. 88 from DiGard Racing.
Ken Schrader: Schrader, another Missouri driver, has tried 20 times to win the 500 and has come up short each time. He finished Second to Darrell Waltrip in 1989, and Third in 1996 behind Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt.
Terry Labonte: His winless streak at Daytona is 26 races, and he's been close too. He was runner-up in 1986, 1990 and 1997, and time is running out for him as well. He'll cut back to a limited schedule this season and next.
Mark Martin: Martin has won on restrictor-plate tracks before, but never Daytona. He's run the 500 20 times, with a best finish of Third in 1995. He'll have one more crack at it this season, and then he'll retire.