February 06, 2008

Daytona: By The Numbers

THE FIRST 49 RACES OF THE 500 PRODUCED A MILLION THRILLS—AND SOME SURPRISING STATISTICS

7 MOST VICTORIES in the Daytona 500, by Richard Petty (1964, '66, '71, '73, '74, '79 and '81).

12,150 MILES completed in 4,860 laps, the most by one driver, Richard Petty, who made 33 starts in the 500.

8 TIMES the winner of the Daytona 500 has won the Cup in the same year: Lee Petty (1959), Richard Petty ('64, '71, '74, '79), Cale Yarborough ('77), Jeff Gordon ('97) and Jimmie Johnson (2006).

184 MOST LAPS led by a winning driver, by Richard Petty in 1964.

170 MOST LAPS led by a nonwinning driver, by Glenn (Fireball) Roberts in 1961.

4 FEWEST LAPS led by a winning driver, by Benny Parsons in 1975 and Kevin Harvick in 2007.

15 MOST DRIVERS to lead a single Daytona 500 (1974, '89 and '96).

3 FEWEST DRIVERS to lead a race ('72).

60 MOST LEAD CHANGES in a race (1974).

8 CAR MAKERS that have won the 500: Chevrolet (20), Ford (10), Plymouth (4), Buick (3), Dodge (3), Mercury (3), Oldsmobile (3) and Pontiac (3).