The Historic 1959 Daytona 500: How NASCAR’s First “Great American Race” Became a Legend
In February 1959, the NASCAR Cup Series arrived at the newly built Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, unsure of what lay ahead. At 2.5 miles long with steep banking and expansive straightaways, the track—created by Bill France Sr.—was a massive departure from the small dirt tracks where NASCAR typically raced.
A New Era of Racing
Daytona’s high banks promised unprecedented speeds, leaving the racing world to speculate how the cars and drivers would handle it. Prior to Daytona, the 1.33-mile Darlington Raceway in South Carolina was the closest thing to a superspeedway, as larger tracks like the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway had yet to host races.
Qualifying shattered previous records. Bob Welborn earned pole position with a blistering lap at 140.1 miles per hour, eclipsing Curtis Turner’s Southern 500 pole speed from 1950. By race day, the average speed of the Daytona 500 was a staggering 53 mph faster than that historic Darlington event.
History in the Making
The inaugural Daytona 500 featured a field of 59 cars and nearly 42,000 spectators. With no caution flags, the race maintained an average speed of 135.5 mph, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The final 30 laps turned into a thrilling duel between Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp, the only two cars remaining on the lead lap. As they approached the finish line, the lapped car of fifth-place finisher Joe Weatherly was sandwiched between them, creating one of the sport’s first—and most iconic—photo finishes.
Initially, Beauchamp was declared the winner, marking what seemed to be the first Cup Series victory of his career. However, Petty protested, arguing he had beaten Beauchamp to the line by two feet. After three days of deliberation, NASCAR officials reviewed photos taken by T. Taylor Warren and overturned the decision. On February 25, 1959, Lee Petty was officially declared the winner of the inaugural Daytona 500.
65 Years of Legacy
Nearly 66 years later, Petty’s victory in the first Daytona 500 remains one of the most celebrated moments in racing history. His name is etched alongside his 53 Cup Series wins and three championships as part of NASCAR’s golden legacy.
Every February, as fans prepare for the latest edition of the Daytona 500, the epic showdown between Petty and Beauchamp is immortalized in pre-race reels. This legendary race not only set the tone for NASCAR’s premier event but also established its place as one of the world’s most prestigious motorsport competitions.
A Historic First for NASCAR
Few sports can claim that the debut of their marquee event was an immediate classic. While Super Bowl I was a lopsided affair and the first NBA Finals in 1947 lacked drama, NASCAR’s inaugural Daytona 500 delivered an unforgettable finish.
Over the years, Daytona has seen many iconic moments, but there can only be one first. The 1959 edition will forever hold a special place in the annals of motorsport, standing as a testament to the vision of Bill France Sr. and the enduring spirit of NASCAR’s early pioneers.
