Best and Worst Daytona 500 in your opinion

ToyYoda

ToyYoda

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A lot of people are saying that yesterday's Daytona 500 was far from the best they've ever seen, some even going so far as to say it was the worst they'd ever seen. In your opinion, which years had the best and worst Daytona 500's?

My $0.02:

Best - 1993: This was a great race. Lots of lead changes, Jeff Gordon up front all day as a rookie, the Kyle Petty-Bobby Hillin scurmish, the Rusty Wallace barrel roll (thankfully he was ok), the Dale and Dale show. Still have many fond memories of this one.

Worst - 2000: Same winner as '93 (Dale Jarrett), but unlike '93, this race was a dog. If you think yesterday was a parade, look up this "race" on YouTube. There were only 9 lead changes and it ended under caution. The only drama came when Johnny Benson was leading late in an unsponsored car. And as mentioned earlier, Jarrett took the checkers, which I was getting a little sick of seeing in the Daytona 500 by this point.
 
I agree 2001 was the most tragic and a horrible day, but I was talking more about the actual race itself as a whole. IMO, the '01 Daytona 500 was actually a pretty good race all the way up 'til that last lap.
 
Worst personally 97 as a bill Elliott fan I hated one how Gordon's pass for the lead is now illegal and that all the hendrick cars ganged up
 
I havent been watching nascar too long, but of the ones I have seen:

Best=2008. Plenty of lead changes, crashes, and an amazing last couple of laps!
Worst=This year. It wasnt terrible, it was just okay.
 
Best was '88. First one with restrictor plates, but before carnage was the trademark. The racing was great throughout. I remember about halfway through, Bonnett and Earnhardt causing a big traffic jam racing for the lead. Good racing between Waltrip and the Allisons, and the father/son finish. Doesn't get much better.

Worst I'd say was '03. Plagued by rain, barely got half of it in. There wasn't much green flag racing after the first rain delay. Really forgettable day.
 
2006. Nothing beats seeing the guy I root for hoist the Harley trophy over his head for the first time.
 
Best: 2007 - my two favorite drivers racing for the win in a photofinish at Daytona.
Worst: Tie between 2000 and 2013 - not a lot of racing, well, at all.

I never saw the 2003 race. Our local FOX station lost the feed and started airing a special report about the weather. They stuck with news coverage after regaining the feed (you could see it in the background behind the news anchors) and didn't return to the race until they were interviewing the third place finisher.
 
Since im a newer fan to the sport I cant go back as far:

Best:2008-Really started to get into NASCAR and picked Newman as my driver, and BAM wins the 500, what a great way to start watching NASCAR.

Worst 2013: Train race

If Brad wins the 500 one day that will probably jump to #1 for me.
 
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