50 years later: David Pearson’s unbelievable 20mph Daytona 500 victory

Lengthy earlier than Larson vs. Hamlin or Earnhardt vs. Gordon, there was one other conflict of titans that divided the NASCAR world. And this battle was between the Silver Fox — David Pearson, and The King — Richard Petty.

These two drivers mix for ten championships and an astonishing 305 NASCAR Cup Collection wins. On this present day, February 15, 1975, they got here collectively for considered one of their most memorable battles.

Pearson drove the enduring Wooden Brothers No. 21, whereas Petty was in his STP No. 43. That day, Petty led 40 of 200 laps within the 18th working of ‘The Nice American Race,’ whereas Pearson led 37. They lapped your complete discipline and had your complete observe to themselves within the closing laps of the 1976 Daytona, and so they certain wanted each inch of it.

David Pearson 1976 NASCAR

Photograph by: NASCAR Media

Petty was within the lead, however Pearson was proper behind him, ominously following with out making a lot effort to cross. He stayed in Petty’s draft as they ripped across the observe, lapping vehicles like they had been standing nonetheless.

On the ultimate lap, Pearson timed his long-planned assault completely, slingshotting beneath Petty simply earlier than they reached Flip 3 the place one other sluggish automotive held the underside line. Pearson shot up the observe in entrance of Petty, who instantly tried to chop again beneath him. They had been side-by-side exiting the ultimate nook as Petty slid and pushed up the observe. The rear bumper of his Dodge Charger caught the entrance bumper of Pearson’s Mercury.

They each started to fishtail in unison earlier than Pearson slammed nose-first into the concrete wall lining the outermost portion of the race observe. Petty made it a bit additional earlier than he might not sustain with the out-of-control race automotive, slamming the wall nose-first as nicely. Pearson’s destroyed automotive crashed down in direction of the pit entry, clipping a lapped automotive within the course of. Petty stayed up on the banking, quickly approaching the end line earlier than the automotive spun down into the grass, spinning fully round.

Photograph by: ISC Archives

It dug into the grime, grinding to a halt a measly 50 yards or so from the checkered flag. Everybody held their breath. Petty could be seen within the automotive, frantically making an attempt to re-fire his wounded machine. And within the distance, by way of the smoke appeared the Wooden Brothers No. 21, Pears dragging it by way of the grass with your complete nostril smashed inward. Petty crew members started to run throughout the infield, desperately making an attempt to succeed in the automotive and push it throughout the road, however they had been out of time.

It was surreal, and one thing we’ve got by no means seen earlier than or since within the Daytona 500. Pearson handed Petty and limped throughout the road going roughly 20mph, capturing the victory in probably the most absurd of circumstances.

“He went round me, and he needed to let off, and I drove on in underneath him,” stated Petty, who sounded out of breath. “After I did, the frontend broke unfastened and bought him sideways.”

Pearson stated there have been no exhausting emotions after he climbed out of the automotive in Victory Lane, believing it was only a racing incident and noting intentional on Petty’s half. “He was making an attempt to win the race similar to I used to be,” stated Pearson. He later described making an attempt to see the place the No. 43 was on observe whereas he himself was spinning uncontrolled, simply seconds away from the end line.

You possibly can watch footage of your complete 1976 Daytona 500 and that end by right here or watching under, as phrases won’t ever have the ability to do it full justice.

The Daytona 500 has no scarcity of jaw-dropping finishes, however 1976 can by no means be replicated within the fashionable period of the game. And past that, it was a titanic head-to-head matchup between the 2 winningest drivers in your complete historical past of NASCAR Cup Collection racing. Josh Berry, who drives the No. 21 Wooden Brothers Ford lately, is paying tribute to the 50 12 months anniversary of Pearson’s iconic victory with a particular livery on this Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford