Memorable moments in the Daytona 500

FEB. 18, 2001
The auto racing world is shocked as Dale Earnhardt, the face of NASCAR, dies in a last-lap crash while blocking the pack. His final act helped the Dale Earnhardt Inc. cars of Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. finish first and second, respectively.

FEB. 28, 1979
In the first live flag-to-flag telecast of the Daytona 500, a national audience watches as Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough exchange punches in the infield following a last-lap crash that enables Richard Petty to earn the checkered flag.

FEB. 15, 1998
After 20 years of frustration, Dale Earnhardt finally wins the race and is congratulated by every team during his slow drive down pit road.

FEB. 22, 1959
The controversial finish of the first Daytona 500 isn’t decided until three days after the conclusion of the race. Johnny Beauchamp celebrated in victory lane, but Lee Petty was declared the winner after an examination of newsreel footage.

FEB. 15, 1976
Richard Petty and David Pearson crash and come to rest in the infield. Pearson keeps his engine running and nurses his car to victory along the track apron.

FEB. 14, 1993
CBS permits race analyst Ned Jarrett to unabashedly root his son, Dale Jarrett, home to victory.

FEB. 14, 1988
Bobby Allison, 51, becomes the oldest Daytona 500 champion, holding off his son, Davey, in the first 500 run with restrictor plates.

FEB. 19, 1989
Darrell Waltrip, running on fumes, celebrates his first victory in 17 tries by doing the Ickey Shuffle.

FEB. 17, 2002
Leader Sterling Marlin jumps out of his car to pull out his dented fender during a late-race red flag stop. Officials send him to the back of the pack, allowing Ward Burton to win the race.

FEB. 18, 2007
With a huge pileup behind them, NASCAR permits the race to finish with Kevin Harvick charging past Mark Martin by .002 seconds.