When the NASCAR Cup Series field rolled into Daytona Beach, Florida, in February of 1959, nobody knew what ... In the closing laps, Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp – the only two cars to finish ...

Lee Petty, taking the first Daytona 500 checkered flag in 1959. His son, Richard "The King" Petty, holds the record for most Daytona 500 victories, winning the first of his seven Harley J.

Petty raced for a remarkable 34 years. His record seven Daytona 500 ... in 1959, finished second to Rex White in the Grand National (later Winston Cup) points race in 1960. In 1962, Lee Petty ...

Lee Petty, winner of the very first Daytona 500 in 1959, was its founder, and his son Richard Petty became the best-known driver in the sport's history, wracking up a record 200 victories.