1959 Daytona 500: The inaugural Daytona 500

The inaugural Daytona 500. Lee Petty wins in a photo finish so close it takes three days to determine the winner. Stock car racing's biggest event is born.

Lee Petty (#42) beat Johnny Beauchamp (#73) to the checkered flag.

Bob Welborn (#49) leads early in the inaugural race Johnny Beauchamp (#73) and Lee Petty (#42) battle Photo finish. Petty (#42) declared winner three days later The closest finish result took 3 days of film review to declare.

Winning digit: 2 (P1) and 3 (P2). If you had the square at (2, 3), you won the final.