Daytona 500's Ranked From Worst to First

I've watched the 1998 Daytona 500. Was it really a great race or was it great because Earnhardt won?

Don't get me wrong, it was a great moment seeing Earnhardt win, but the way this race is always considered one of the greatest ever is proof of the theory that fans (and the media) rank races based on who wins. If Bobby Labonte had won that race, nobody would even remember that race.

Same thing with 1993 really -- it was "great" because Ned Jarrett called his son to victory on live TV. And 2016 was one of the worst races I've ever watched, but it's considered one of the best because "photofinish".
 
10

2007


Kevin Harvick comes out of nowhere on the last lap to edge Mark Martin by half a fender in a thrilling finish. Behind them, as they race to the checkered flag, a huge crash takes out a number of cars, including Clint Bowyer’s Chevrolet, which flips and catches fire.




:mad:
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
Same thing with 1993 really -- it was "great" because Ned Jarrett called his son to victory on live TV.
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1993 actually was a pretty great race throughout. There was a lot going on too: the first race without Richard Petty, Al Unser Jr's only NASCAR start, the dust-up between Kyle Petty and Bobby Hillin mid-race, Rusty's barrel roll, sadly it was the last 500 for Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki (though that was unknown at the time), and yes, the "Dale and Dale Show" at the end. It's my favorite 500 out of all the ones I have watched live.
 
I'm surprised the 2002 race is ranked so low and the 2004 race is ranked so high.

The 2002 race was just fun. A crashfest at times, but it was great fun and much needed fun giving everything that was going on in the world around us at the time.

It might have been the equivalent of the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions meeting in the Super Bowl, but it doesn't take away from the enjoyment factor.

The 2004 race was a horrible bore. The early crash, headliners falling out early and the four car pack that broke away from the rest of the field. I loved NASCAR way more back then than I do now and that was probably one of the first races I ever remember not enjoying.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
I've watched the 1998 Daytona 500. Was it really a great race or was it great because Earnhardt won?

Don't get me wrong, it was a great moment seeing Earnhardt win, but the way this race is always considered one of the greatest ever is proof of the theory that fans (and the media) rank races based on who wins. If Bobby Labonte had won that race, nobody would even remember that race.

Same thing with 1993 really -- it was "great" because Ned Jarrett called his son to victory on live TV. And 2016 was one of the worst races I've ever watched, but it's considered one of the best because "photofinish".
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I agree with this. The plate racing of the late 90s (98-00) was the worst in the plate era. It was almost impossible to pass the leader. The 98 500 was great to watch for the story, but actually feature very little action.
 
ToyYoda said:
1993 actually was a pretty great race throughout. There was a lot going on too: the first race without Richard Petty, Al Unser Jr's only NASCAR start, the dust-up between Kyle Petty and Bobby Hillin mid-race, Rusty's barrel roll, sadly it was the last 500 for Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki (though that was unknown at the time), and yes, the "Dale and Dale Show" at the end. It's my favorite 500 out of all the ones I have watched live.
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IDK what Kyle said to Bobby when he got out of Junie Donalvey's Heilig Myers Ford but whatever it was pissed Bobby off big time as he chased after Kyle in the infield and kept coming after him. Those were the days.
 
ToyYoda said:
The two biggest things I remember about the '13 Daytona 500...

1. 50 Cent getting shot down by Erin Andrews during the pre-race.

2. It was the day I signed up here.
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Good old Curtis "Fitty Cent" Jackson. I think that dude's been shot more times than Tupac or Biggie.
 
The ones I attended:
1982 - # 45
1985 - # 39
1994 - # 14
1997- # 20 When Dale Sr. flipped and drove back to pits is something I will never forget.
 
Just another list someone put together. I know they didn't watch every race to research the story.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
I've watched the 1998 Daytona 500. Was it really a great race or was it great because Earnhardt won?

Don't get me wrong, it was a great moment seeing Earnhardt win, but the way this race is always considered one of the greatest ever is proof of the theory that fans (and the media) rank races based on who wins. If Bobby Labonte had won that race, nobody would even remember that race.

Same thing with 1993 really -- it was "great" because Ned Jarrett called his son to victory on live TV. And 2016 was one of the worst races I've ever watched, but it's considered one of the best because "photofinish".
Click to expand...

I agree with you. They replay the 98 Daytona 500 quite often and it was not that competitive. 1999 was more competitive. But 2002 and 2001 were two of the most competitive and entertaining races I ever seen. 2001 unfortunately will never get credit as a great race because Dale Sr. died. But if he had not, we would be declaring the 2001 Daytona 500 as one of the greatest.
 
Skoalbandit33 said:
IDK what Kyle said to Bobby when he got out of Junie Donalvey's Heilig Myers Ford but whatever it was pissed Bobby off big time as he chased after Kyle in the infield and kept coming after him. Those were the days.
Click to expand...
I seem to remember Kyle was mad because he thought Bobby didn't hold his brakes and allowed his Heilig-Myers Ford to continue moving across the track where Kyles Mello-Yello Pontiac impacted it as he came through. Bobby was emphatically trying to explain he had no brakes but the King's son wasn't hearing it.
 
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