The 1970 Daytona 500 was a stock car automobile race run on February 22nd, 1970. The race marked the start of NASCAR

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...

's modern era and it was the first race for the winged Plymouth Superbird

Plymouth Superbird

The short-lived Plymouth Road Runner Superbird was a highly modified version of the Plymouth Road Runner with well known graphics and horn. It was the factory's follow up stock car racing design for the 1970 season to the Dodge Charger Daytona of 1969, and incorporated many engineering changes and...

. Pete Hamilton

Pete Hamilton

Pete Hamilton is a retired American NASCAR racer. He won four times in his career , three times driving for Petty Enterprises. His father was a Ph.D. from Harvard University....

 who was hired by Petty Enterprises

Petty Enterprises

Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...

 shortly before the season won the race in the #40 Plymouth Superbird. Hamilton passed David Pearson with nine laps to go and wins by three car lengths. It is the first win for the new Plymouth Superbird model.