Daytone 500 (Related Stories)

Daytona 500 stories in the SI Vault

The Return Of The Exile Was Rich And Racy By Tom C. Brody, March 07, 1966After a year of forced idleness Driver Richard Petty came rolling back in a blue brute of a Plymouth to win Daytona's stock car 500, delighting his racing father -- but not Dearborn.

Sure Ain't Fun No MoreBy Kim Chapin, March 4, 1968Speeds were way up -- to 190 mph -- but joy way down in the Daytona 500 stock-car run as steady Cale Yarborough raced to a narrow win.

A Race That Keeps 'em Coming BackBy Sam Moses, February 23, 1976The 500's last lap was a fitting climax to a wild week in Daytona.

Hats Off To The KingBy Sam Moses, February 23, 1981Richard Petty, sovereign of the speedways, let the race go to the swift for most of the way, then gambled and won his seventh Daytona 500.

Foul Luck On Chicken Bone AlleyBy Sam Moses, February 26, 1990After Dale Earnhardt met a bizarre fate, Derrike Cope plucked a last-lap win at Daytona.

The Hunt's Over By Ed Hinton, February 23, 1998After 19 failed attempts, seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt finally won his first Daytona 500 -- and even a guy as ornery as the Man in Black got a little misty over that.

Worth The Wait For 48 By Lars Anderson, February 27, 2006The Great American Race had Jimmie Johnson's number--until Sunday, when he capped off a controversial week with a late charge that put him in Victory Lane.