The Most Surprising Champions in the #NASCAR DAYTONA 500

Just in time for Speedweeks

“The Great American Race” is no stranger to the unexpected as, over the course of 58 years, the DAYTONA 500 has seen its fair share of surprise champions.

Below are some of the most surprising – and memorable – champions in the history of the DAYTONA 500.

Trevor Bayne

On a new racing surface, Trevor Bayne drove the famed No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford to Gatorade Victory Lane after two green-white-checkered attempts in the 2011 DAYTONA 500. Bayne, who turned 20 years old the previous day, became the youngest driver to win “The Great American Race”. In addition, he brought the legendary Wood Brothers their first victory in 10 years.

Tiny Lund

Heading into the 1963 DAYTONA 500, Tiny Lund was without a ride for “The Great American Race.” However, only 10 days before the race, Lund heroically helped pull Marvin Panch from the wreckage of a burning car during a sports car test. At Panch’s suggestion, Lund was tabbed by the Wood Brothers to take over behind the wheel of the No. 21. Lund went on to win the race thanks to a bold strategy by the Wood Brothers that planned for the completion of the race on one fuel stop less than the rest of the field. Though Lund ran out of gas on the final lap, his car was able to coast to the finish line for his only DAYTONA 500 victory.

Michael Waltrip

Prior to February 18, 2001, Waltrip was winless in 462 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts. The 2001 DAYTONA 500 would prove to be his first win in the premier series as he used drafting help from Dale Earnhardt Jr. to join his brother Darrell as a DAYTONA 500 champion – making history as the first brother combination to win the DAYTONA 500.

Derrike Cope

In one of the greatest upsets in NASCAR history, Derrike Cope passed Dale Earnhardt on the last lap in Turn 3 to win the 1990 DAYTONA 500 after Earnhardt ran over a piece of bell housing. It was Cope’s third DAYTONA 500 start as he became the fourth driver in DAYTONA 500 history to earn his first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series victory in “The Great American Race.”

Marvin Panch

The overwhelming favorite to win the 1961 DAYTONA 500 was pole-winner Fireball Roberts, driving one of Smokey Yunick’s powerful, factory-backed 1961 Pontiacs. Marvin Panch, driving a year-old 1960 Yunick Pontiac, essentially a back-up team car, was an afterthought until he was running in third place late in the race. Fortuitously, second-place Banjo Roberts spun out after blowing an engine with 18 laps to go and leader Fireball Roberts blew his engine with 13 laps to go, handing the lead and the win to Panch.

Ward Burton

Burton’s 2002 DAYTONA 500 victory may be the wildest of them all. During a red-flag stoppage on Lap 195, race leader and two-time DAYTONA 500 champion Sterling Marlin got out of his car and tried to fix a crumpled fender, resulting in him being sent to the back of the field on the restart. Burton inherited the lead and proceeded to hold off Elliott Sadler and Geoff Bodine to the finish. His victory gave Dodge its first DAYTONA 500 victory since 1974.

Pete Hamilton

New England native Pete Hamilton had never won a NASCAR race when he arrived at Daytona in 1970, driving the No. 40 Petty Enterprises Plymouth Superbird, with Richard Petty’s brother, Maurice, as his crew chief. Richard Petty was the presumptive favorite, but lost an engine and finished 39th. Hamilton survived a fierce late-race battle with David Pearson by taking four tires on the last pit stop, while Pearson only took two. 

Source

Ward Burton Wins His First Daytona 500.
Dale Jarrett Also Spins At the White Flag 

Related Posts:

1. Expect to See Lightning McQueen at the #NASCAR Daytona 500
2. Cole Whitt to Drive the TriStar Motorsports #72
3. Kyle Larson Fastest in Opening Phoenix Test Session
4. Kraus Named To Drive For BMR In #NASCAR K&N Pro Series
5. Lady Antebellum To Perform DAYTONA 500 Pre-Race Show

Expect to See Lightning McQueen at the #NASCAR Daytona 500

Owen Wilson, voice of Lightning McQueen in Disney•Pixar’s ‘Cars 3’ named Grand Marshal for 59th Annual DAYTONA 500. 

Actor Owen Wilson, the voice of the animated character Lightning McQueen in Disney•Pixar’s upcoming movie “Cars 3,” will serve as Grand Marshal for the 59th annual DAYTONA 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Feb. 26 at Daytona International Speedway.

The DAYTONA 500, the season-opening race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, will begin at 2 p.m. (TV – FOX, FOX Deportes; Radio – MRN Radio, SiriusXM) following Wilson delivering the famous “Drivers, start your engines” command to the 40-car field. In addition to giving the command, Wilson will ride in one of the Grand Marshal cars during pace laps prior to the green flag of the 200-lap, 500-mile race and attend the drivers meeting.

It’s not over until Lightning strikes ⚡️ #Cars3 pic.twitter.com/MkkcFcdLP8

— Disney•Pixar's Cars (@pixarcars) January 10, 2017

“Cars 3” opens nationwide on June 16. Wilson, who voiced Lightning McQueen in “Cars” (2006) and “Cars 2” (2011), is also known for starring roles in a variety of hit comedy films including “Wedding Crashers,” “Meet the Parents,” ”Zoolander” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” Wilson stars in the upcoming “Wonder” and the Woody Harrelson-directed live film “Lost in London.”

“Owen Wilson is one of America’s most beloved comedic actors and his voice has brought Lightning McQueen to life for millions of movie-goers over the last 10 years,” said Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile. “His star-power, and of course his personality, are perfect fits for ‘The Great American Race.’”

For more information on “Cars 3” visit http://disney.com/Cars3.

Wilson is the latest name on a long list of actors who have served as DAYTONA 500 Grand Marshals including Gerard Butler, Vince Vaughn, John Travolta, Ben Affleck, Nicolas Cage and Matthew McConaughey.

Tickets for the 2017 DAYTONA 500 and Speedweeks can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can also follow NASCAR on Twitter and stay up to speed on the latest news by using #DAYTONA500 and #SPEEDWEEKS.

Stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Snapchat, and by downloading the Speedway’s mobile app, for the latest Speedway news throughout the season.

ABOUT “CARS 3”

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Source

 

#tbt check out that flag! @DISupdates pic.twitter.com/xIWBe7KbJH

— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) February 10, 2017

 

Related Posts:

1. Cole Whitt to Drive the TriStar Motorsports #72
2. Kyle Larson Fastest in Opening Phoenix Test Session
3. Kraus Named To Drive For BMR In #NASCAR K&N Pro Series
4. Rest In Peace Racer – Lee Hatch
5. Lady Antebellum To Perform DAYTONA 500 Pre-Race Show

Cole Whitt to Drive the TriStar Motorsports #72

TriStar Motorsports announces it will return to competition in NASCAR’s premier series fielding one full-time entry in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series for the 2017 season. 

Cole Whitt has secured the seat of the No. 72 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. Whitt brings with him Florida Lottery to serve as the primary sponsor of the No. 72 for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Additionally, Whitt will continue partnership with RTIC Coolers, Rinnai and Carolina Skiff throughout the 2017 season. Frank Kerr has been named Crew Chief for Whitt and will oversee competitive efforts for the No. 72.

Whitt’s NASCAR career includes six years on the circuit and races in which he has competed in NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and the Monster Energy Cup Series.

“I’m looking forward to being back in the seat at TriStar Motorsports for the Monster Energy Cup Series for 2017”, said Whitt. “We are glad to have Florida Lottery back with us for the season opener at Daytona and are fortunate to continue and expand our relationship with Rinnai, RTIC Coolers and Carolina Skiff throughout the year.”

TriStar Motorsports first competed in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1989 for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and lastly in 2013 at Watkins Glen International Raceway; completing a total of 197 races.

“We are taking a different approach and expanding our competitive platform for 2017”, said Mark Smith, owner of TriStar Motorsports. “It is an opportunity we feel is the best direction for this season and we are pleased to have Cole and his partners involved in those efforts.”

Team Release

Fun Facts about the #72:

• -- The last time the No. 72 was used in a NASCAR premier series race, it was 2006 in the fall race at Phoenix.
• -- The driver was Brandon Whitt, who is Cole Whitt's cousin. Brandon Whitt finished 37th in that race as the car went out after 123 laps because of a rear-end problem.
• -- Brandon Whitt was born in El Cajon, California, on October 15, 1982.
• -- Cole Whitt was born in Alpine, California, on June 22, 1991.

Cole Whitt's #72 sponsor, Florida Lottery, will kick-off the season as sponsor in Daytona and along with other sponsors (Rinnai, RTIC Coolers and Carolina Skiff) throughout the season.

In 112 career Cup Series races, Cole's has a best finish of eleventh, which came last July in Daytona. He will look to compete in his third Daytona 500, if he can qualify into the event in one of the Duel races on Thursday, Feb. 23.

TriStar Motorsports Returns to Competition in Monster Energy Cup Series with Cole Whitt https://t.co/iKWePBY1V7 pic.twitter.com/tmspX9ebr7

— TriStar Motorsports (@TriStarRaceTeam) February 2, 2017

Related Posts:

1. Kyle Larson Fastest in Opening Phoenix Test Session
2. Kraus Named To Drive For BMR In #NASCAR K&N Pro Series
3. Rest In Peace Racer – Lee Hatch
4. Cole Whitt Speed Stick Gear #NASCAR Daytona Challenge
5. Good Thing I Did Not Bet On Dale Jr.