Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 is the biggest NASCAR race ever. It is called NASCAR's Super Bowl. However, for some reason, it is the first race of the season. Nobody knows why NASCAR starts its season with the championship race, but everyone has grown to accept it.

Selected list of race winners

 * 1959: Lee Petty, father of Richard Petty
 * 1964: Richard Petty
 * 1966: Richard Petty
 * 1971: Richard Petty
 * 1973: Richard Petty
 * 1974: Richard Petty
 * 1979: Richard Petty
 * 1981: Richard Petty
 * 1991: Cole Trickle
 * 1994: Sterling Marlin
 * 1995: Sterling Marlin
 * 1997: Jeff Gordon, one of the sons of Dale Earnhardt
 * 1998: Dale Earnhardt
 * 1999: Jeff Gordon
 * 2001: Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt's disciple (one of Dale's sons, Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished 2nd)
 * 2003: Michael Waltrip
 * 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 * 2005: Jeff Gordon

Other Daytona 500 winners include Kevin Harvick (2007), Jimmie Johnson (2006) and Mario Andretti (1967), sitcom star Jason Lee (1996), TV host Kelly Ripa (2000), and action sport legend Tony Hawk (2002).