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Racing Demons

The first ever Daytona 500 race took place on this day in 1959, with Lee Perry as the inaugural winner. Here are some more records featuring this iconic race:

Closest win of the Daytona 500
Kevin Harvick's (USA) margin of victory of 0.020 seconds in the 2007 Daytona 500 was the closest Daytona 500 victory since the advent of electronic scoring in 1993. Harvick's starting position of 34th was the lowest starting position ever by a winner of the Daytona 500, and his four laps lead is the fewest amount of laps led by a Daytona 500 winner.

First father and son to finish in first, second place at the Daytona 500
Bobby Allison (USA) won the Daytona 500 in 1988, with his son, the late Davey Allison (USA), finishing second, marking the only time a father and son have ever finished 1-2 at the Daytona 500. Bobby Allison won the Daytona 500 in 1978, 1982, and 1988.

Most cars competing in a NASCAR 500 mile race
The NASCAR record for most cars ever in a 500-mile (804-km) race is 31 cars on the lead lap at the 2006 Daytona 500. The record for most cars in a 400-mile (643-km) race is 35, set at the 2006 Allstate 400.

Most Daytona 500 victories
The most wins at the Daytona 500, the richest race in the NASCAR series, is seven by Richard Petty (USA), 1964, 1966, 1971, 1973-74, 1979 and 1981.

20 February 2008