1969 Daytona 500
Encyclopedia
The 1969 Daytona 500 was the third race of the 1969 NASCAR
Grand National season. It was the tenth official running and was run using its actual distance (500 miles) despite the fuel concerns at the time. All the concerns about fuel eventually led up to the 1973 oil crisis
that would affect the 1973 Daytona 500
(by forcing NASCAR to voluntarily reduce the number of laps for that year's race).
LeeRoy Yarbrough
chased down Charlie Glotzbach
who had an eleven second lead. Yarbrough trimmed down the deficit and passed Glotzbach on the final lap. It was the first Daytona 500 that was won on a last lap pass. Yarbrough won in a back-up Ford after crashing his primary car. This would also be the second to final Daytona 500 race before it became the Winston Cup in 1971. Starting in 1971, all racers were to have 43 competitors maximum in a starting grid starting with the 1971 Daytona 500
.
Using a grid of more than 43 competitors (commonplace during the 1950s and 1960s), the race track delivered up to 160 miles of hour to thousands of racing fans. In an era long before Daytona International Speedway
a restrictor plate
track, it was famous for the many collisions that more than sixty vehicles faced while simultaneously drafting each other for a chance at the lead.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National season. It was the tenth official running and was run using its actual distance (500 miles) despite the fuel concerns at the time. All the concerns about fuel eventually led up to the 1973 oil crisis
1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
that would affect the 1973 Daytona 500
1973 Daytona 500
The 1973 Daytona 500 was won by Richard Petty after three hours, ten minutes, and fifty seconds of racing on February 18, 1973 at Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. Four cautions were given out over a period of 28 laps. A crowd of over one hundred thousand people came to...
(by forcing NASCAR to voluntarily reduce the number of laps for that year's race).
LeeRoy Yarbrough
LeeRoy Yarbrough
Lonnie "LeeRoy" Yarbrough was a NASCAR racer. His best season was 1969 when he won seven races, tallied 21 finishes in the top-ten and earned $193,211...
chased down Charlie Glotzbach
Charlie Glotzbach
Charles "Charlie: Glotzbach is a former ARCA and was a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. Charlie holds one of the oldest race records in NASCAR. He was also known as "The Chargin' Comet" and "Chargin' Charlie"....
who had an eleven second lead. Yarbrough trimmed down the deficit and passed Glotzbach on the final lap. It was the first Daytona 500 that was won on a last lap pass. Yarbrough won in a back-up Ford after crashing his primary car. This would also be the second to final Daytona 500 race before it became the Winston Cup in 1971. Starting in 1971, all racers were to have 43 competitors maximum in a starting grid starting with the 1971 Daytona 500
1971 Daytona 500
The 1971 Daytona 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event held on February 14, 1971 at the Daytona International Speedway spanning on a paved oval track. All of the racing action commenced during daytime hours and ended prior to dusk since there was no lighting available until at least the 1998...
.
Using a grid of more than 43 competitors (commonplace during the 1950s and 1960s), the race track delivered up to 160 miles of hour to thousands of racing fans. In an era long before Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
a restrictor plate
Restrictor plate
A restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. This kind of system is occasionally used in road vehicles for insurance purposes, but mainly in automobile racing, to limit top speed and thus increase safety, to provide equal level of...
track, it was famous for the many collisions that more than sixty vehicles faced while simultaneously drafting each other for a chance at the lead.