Countdown to the 50th Daytona 500

[kat2220]

Countdown to Daytona
By Sporting News Wire Service



We are counting down the days to the 50th Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008. Each day we will highlight a number that corresponds to the countdown number.

Dec. 14, 2007

• 65: Cup Series poles for the No. 3 car. Dale Earnhardt won 17 of his 22 Cup poles in the No. 3. (He won four in the No. 2 in 1979 and one in the No. 15 in 1982.)

 

[mitchum]

Being a teen age Ford fan I remember quite a few uncomfortable Sunday mornings listening to just how fast that Ray Fox-Junior Johnson Chevy was.

If I had known Junior as well back then as I do know, I might not have minded him being the fastest qualifyer as much as I did back then. I'm even proud to have this model in amongst my Fords these days. LOL

 

[kat2220]

Countdown to Daytona
By Sporting News Wire Service



We are counting down the days to the 50th Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008. Each day we will highlight a number that corresponds to the countdown number.

Dec. 17, 2007

• 62 -- Number of races in the 1964 season, the most in any NASCAR season.

Richard Petty competed in the maximum number -- 61 -- and won his first championship. Years ago, the two qualifying races for the Daytona 500 were points races, so no driver would compete in the total number of races in a season.

David Pearson also made 61 starts. He finished third in points behind Ned Jarrett, who made 59 starts and won a season-high 15 races. Petty won nine times and Pearson eight.

 

[kat2220]

Countdown to Daytona
By Sporting News Wire Service



We are counting down the days to the 50th Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2008. Each day we will highlight a number that corresponds to the countdown number.

Dec. 18, 2007

• 61 -- Victories for Richard Petty in Cup races from the pole. David Pearson has the next most, 37.

Among active drivers, Jeff Gordon is tops with 19, which is tied for sixth with Herb Thomas.