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1959: When the first Daytona 500 ran at Daytona International Speedway

Mark Lane, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·1 min read
A pit crew chief gives instructions before the start of the first Daytona 500. Note Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts standing at right of center.
A pit crew chief gives instructions before the start of the first Daytona 500. Note Edward Glenn "Fireball" Roberts standing at right of center.

The Daytona 500 has been running for 63 years now.

On Feb. 22, 1959, nearly 42,000 fans arrived at the newly built Speedway to see 59 cars take to the tri-oval for the race's first run. It ended in a photo finish.

The headline in the next day's Daytona Beach Morning Journal read: "Beauchamp wins — unofficially". The headline three days later read: "Petty declared '500' winner."

— Mark Lane

The running of the first Daytona 500 in 1959.
The running of the first Daytona 500 in 1959.
Seating at the Speedway was a good deal more rudimentary at that first race in 1959 than it is now.
Seating at the Speedway was a good deal more rudimentary at that first race in 1959 than it is now.
The press box during the first Daytona 500.
The press box during the first Daytona 500.
The west turn of Daytona International Speedway in February 1959.
The west turn of Daytona International Speedway in February 1959.
Scotty McCormick, Miss Daytona International Speedway, waves to the Speedway crowd in 1959.
Scotty McCormick, Miss Daytona International Speedway, waves to the Speedway crowd in 1959.

Do you have vintage photos to share?

Do you have old photos that depict the people, landmarks and story of Volusia and Flagler counties? Don't leave them hidden away in boxes and albums. Send a scan or photo to mark.lane@news-jrnl.com for possible use on future historic photo pages.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: first Daytona 500 ran in 1959 at Daytona International Speedway