1976 honestly cause I've seen the winning car and got to sit inside of it, it sits in a museum about an hour and half from where I live which is so cool.
I tuned in at the very end of the 2007 Daytona 500, and I was hooked instantly. You can probably thank that finish for me making this comment 15 years later.
That’s incredible, my first recollection of NASCAR was Clint Bowyer coming across the finish line on fire upside down. Guess we have the same start in NASCAR
2012 and 2014 2012- The jet dryer incident was shocking and unexpected and led to some funny moments during the red flag 2014- Being a massive Dale Jr fan at the time, to stay up on a school night, watching great racing and seeing your favorite driver win the race, was a sight to believe.
💀💀💀💀 please tell me you’re joking 😂😂 8 lead changes in the 2000 D500 2013 had the awful beach ball effect.. just 2 garbage races 😂😂 Dale Sr. Said in reference to 2000 that it was the sorriest racing he’s ever seen 😂
The 98 500 is overrated as hell Love that Dale won it but in reality it was a fairly boring event. The only reason people talk about it is because of who won the race. Not the racing itself. 1999 was the far better event. And 1997 isn’t too far behind that.
Solid list. I might throw the 1983 Daytona 500 in there. 58 lead changes unrestricted, slingshot in full effect. People flirting with the 200mph barrier. Cale Yarborough flipping his car in quals and winning with a show car. The early 80's pre-plate era needed a little love!
1959 Petty and Beauchamp, 1976 Petty and Pearson, 1979 What can we say? 1998 Dale finally gets it done, 2007 with one of the most memorable finishes ever. I’d have to say my favorite Daytona 500 had to be 2012. Just the craziness and utter chaos of that night has it at the top of my list. I wish Dave Blaney would’ve won it for Tommy Baldwin. That would’ve been the biggest upset in NASCAR ever.
I would say that an honourable mention should go to the 1988 Daytona 500. This was the first 500 to feature the Restrictor Plate (brought in after the shocking accident that befell Bobby Allison at Talladega in 1987), and on top of that, it featured the iconic father and son 1-2 finish with Bobby Allison edging out Davy Allison for the win
@@jeninjeans I guess part of the reason it wasn't on there is probably because initial reaction at the time was that the racing wasn't perceived to be as good and again the cars were perceived to be too slow (one headline from the time said "Chilli was Hotter than the 500,") and drivers mostly had negative views on the Restrictor Plates at the time as well. Ken Schrader: "the Restrictor ate it all up, it made everybody the same speed and that made it, probably more dangerous than when we were running 210[mph]," Dale Earnhardt: "this is a damn Fiasco... Someone is going to get killed,"
I can’t believe your #1 is my #1!!! Although for different reasons!!! I’m a Harvick fan! Everyone followed the Earnhardt family. I’m a car guy. Been in the automotive industry for 25yrs. I stuck with the car. And well when Harvick jumped in, I was fully on board!!! 4 the win!! The closer!!!!
Maybe Dale had to die for something to change (NO I AM NOT SAYING IM HAPPY DALE DIED) I’m only saying that Ryan Newman wouldn’t be here if Dale and others didn’t die when they did
I can respect your top ten. Most have short term memories. The 1963 Daytona 500 should without doubt, be on the list. Fireball Roberts was on the pole. The race was dominated by Ned Jarrett and Fred Lorenzen. Johnny Rutherford was in the race after winning the qualifying race in his first ever start and the second was won by Junior Johnson. The winner was Tiny Lund driving for the Wood Brothers after taking the driver seat after pulling Marvin Panch from a burning car ten days prior. He was awarded the opportunity to drive the 21 and won the race.
2007 is always my go to race when I need to watch an older race. It just has everything: spread out field, worn out surface where handling is a premium, two guys looking to make their own history, and later crashing out, the entire field agreeing to say "fuck it" after those two crash out and just go for it all, crashes, and the most cinematic finish in the history of NASCAR under the lights at Daytona. You can't ask for anything else
I was at a Toyota dealership recently, and they had a canvas print of the 2016 finish on the wall. Makes sense. Two Toyotas in a photo finish, that's a good image for the company.
Not a bad list, I can't believe that nothing from the 1980's didn't make the list. 1988-Bobby and Davey Allison 1-2 finish, Petty's spectacular crash plus the first modern era restrictor plate race. 1981-First year of the downsized cars, Petty's 7th Daytona win. 1989-DW wins after 17 years of trying , several other themes and stories throughout the race. 1986-first year of aerocoupe bodies, Dale and Geoff dramatic fuel milage race. Richard Petty returns to PE. I know that not every race can make the top 10. These were a few that I feel should have had stronger consideration. Especially 1988.
Hell yeah Iceberg! I was just typing a comment about the 2007 Daytona 500 being the best one ever as it was....I'm sentimental for 98 and 92 (Davey A) but Harvick came from about as far back as Earnhardt Sr did @ Talledaga in 2000....and people wonder WHY Senior approved of him to be his teammate in 2002 (and eventual replacement upon retirement per Childress, unfortunately he didn't get to retire). Harvick is a wheelman. And I liked Martin but no no no, at that point I had been a Harvick fan for 11 years (since 1997). Now I DO think NASCAR should start the race in the day and finish at night like they did for a stretch but I am also fine with the race being in the day as it traditionally has been.
For the most part I think your list is pretty spot-on. I *might* move 1993 up a spot or two because it was the first race I ever saw on TV, and hooked me on NASCAR. I will say that, despite the unfortunate ending, 2001 is still the most exciting Daytona 500 of all-time. First points race of the 21st Century/New Millennium, first race for FOX, that aero package with the roof strips was insane, great racing, compelling storylines, a memorable Big One, a feel-good winner, and yes, sadly, the passing of a legend.
My top 2 Daytona 500s are the '79 and '98 races. Seeing Yarborough and Allison wreckin each other down the backstretch then throwing fists while Petty comes by and wins another race, that no one thought he was going to win. Then of course, '98 was the year when Dale finally won his Daytona 500. Took em 20 years, through blown tires, wrecks, running out of gas, hell even a damn seagull, he finally won. Then that track killed him. Daytona was Sr's curse I swear
I was young but I still remember Sr. finally winning the 500. I wasn't a Sr. fan. I was so excited though. Sad that 3 years later we would lose him. I also remember that day.
2007 was the first race I watched from start to finish and I’ve been a fan ever since, I’ve shown it to plenty of people to help get them into the sport as well. It was truly a perfect race minus Mark not getting the checkered flag. Easily my personal favorite 500.
2006 will always be my favorite 500 not only becuase it was the first race I watched flag to flag, but it was also the first race that fully got me into the sport.
This year I’m going to my 7th straight 500. My dad is going to his 29th. Daytona is my favorite weekend of the year. This video reminded why I love the 500 Edit: 2020 was my favorite that I watched in person besides the finish
Had to rip my heart out didn’t you iceberg. The 2007 race was definitely the best because mark lost. I think it would have been the best if he did win. Thanks for the content. 👍
2012 really should be on this list. Even taking away the famous Jet Dryer incident, we had the first ever Primetime Daytona 500, the first start by Danica and all the viewers that brought in, Brad Ks tweet from the backstretch that propelled nascar drivers’ popularity on Twitter, and a great finish at the end as well.
2020 and 2001 are my contenders for greatest 500. Ofc we know how 2001 ended and if Dale walked away from that crash it's likely regarded as the greatest 500 ever, and 2020 was just incredible racing the entire time, as well as an extremely close finish
Let me add the 2002 Daytona 500 for people to ponder. Lots of intriguing storylines throughout, big names getting knocked out early, and a wild finish with a surprise winner. I mean, remember Sterling Marlin in this race?!?! People sleep on this 500 way too often.
I feel the 1997 Daytona 500 never gets the recognition it should. It wasn’t the most exciting race ever, but you had Hendrick motorsports with possibly the greatest team result in ‘500 history whilst Rick Hendrick himself was battling cancer, Dale’s spectacular flip, Jeff recovering from a flat tyre and nearly going a lap down to catch a caution and come from the back to the front. Steve Grissom with one of the most unlikely poles in the history of the great race.
It was great till DaleSr got wrecked. Elliott lost 2nd or 3rd gear earlier in the race.. Hendrick cancer deal mmm all of a sudden his prison trail went away
@@PaperBanjo64 Correct, I just remembered seeing a clip where Ray Evernham was teasing Dale Sr because his teammate (Skinner) got the pole. Thank you :)
Michael Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and Kevin Harvick getting their first ever Daytona win/in a while. All of them in photo finishes/semi-storybook endings(the blue car that could, mentor vs protege, a drag race to the finish line)
I like the 93, 98, 01(499.75), and 07, but why is everybody sleeping on 2005? It was a great finish too. 8 vs 15 vs 24 vs 48 all the way to the finish, with 20 stick in between
1988 definitely deserves a mention. Legendary Bobby Allison won his third one (and his last win) and his son Davey (the great that died too soon) finished second.
2001 was the best 500 hands down, everything going into that race, the new broadcasting team with fox, everyone knows the unfortunate event that happened at the end but if you look past that and look at the racing it was simply amazing.
I am one of those fans that looks past what happened at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500, and looks at the racing, which was maybe the BEST in NASCAR history.
Great list but it's absolutely missing the 2001 Daytona 500 which imo is #1. I know it had the terrible ending but that race had literally everything and transcended the sport forever.
1993 was the first Winston Cup race I watched flag to flag. I had watched Busch races before that on Saturdays due to Jeff Gordon in the #1 car. 2004 and 2005's Daytona 500s were great. Perhaps the best one, 2001 Daytona 500 would have gotten more recognition, but it gets it for being perhaps the most tragic as Dale Earnhardt perished on the last lap and lost his life playing defense on the field to help Michael Waltrip win his first race. When Earnhardt passed, NASCAR as a whole from what I knew it as was gone and the new era started.
2006 too me is so massive. The racing was edge of your seat all day long other than Burton at the start I don't think anyone held the lead for that long. Tony came from the back of the pack three times to get a top 10 finish, and it also was the race that launched the greatest run the sport has ever seen.
I really wish you guys would watch pre-restrictor plate races at Daytona. Especially 1981-1984. As aero improved the racing suffered. Rarely did they have big crashes which is a good thing and the racing was on edge and the drivers could actually get runs and complete passes. High speed and Attrition was the name of the game, not big packs and big crashes.
2005 Daytona 500 is also my favorite 💪 Was an 11 year old die hard Gordon fan and it was probably my favorite win of his up until 2015 Martinsville Will never forget DW saying he didnt think Gordon could make the outside work then when the last caution came out how surprised he was that a lead change happened lol "An-and Gordon has made a pass!"
As a lifelong Jamie Mac fan I appreciate throwing the 2010 race on this list. I agree the 2007 was the best, but disagree that it's more memorable because Mark didn't win. However it does it goes along with the rest of Martin's career of being a sympathetic figure
2007 was one of the best finishes of all time. I may be a little biased as Kevin Harvick is my favorite driver but that ending was awesome no matter what.
I've been a fan since mid 2017 so here are my Daytona 500s ranked: 1. 2018 (the race solidified to me that I was gonna be a NASCAR fan) 2. 2021 (the rain sucked but I liked the strategy and the family party we had as the race went to midnight) 3. 2019 (ok race, had crashes and packs, just sucked that hamlin won) 4. 2020 (race had rain issues, and the whole Newman wreck had me worried all night while hamlin celebrated without batting an eye)
I can’t remember what year it was, but the best 500 has to be the one where Harry Gant spun out fighting for the lead quite late, and then Cole Trickle beat Russ Wheeler to the line with a last lap pass
2011 was great, even if tandem racing wasn't the best. Tons of passing, very competitive field, and Trevor Bayne (who?) holding off Carl Edwards for the absolute shock win made for a great race.
1959 and 1976 were not shown flag to flag, and for all we know, these races could have flat out sucked if it weren't for the finishes. Which is what most of this listing is. Guaranteed, if the 1998 Daytona 500 didn't have Dale Sr. winning, it would be remembered as one of the biggest snoozers. One more thing: EVERYONE sleeps on the 1996 500. From flag to flag it was a helluva show with the second episode Dale and Dale in full swing!
I feel like the 1988 and 2001 Daytona 500 should be on this list, mainly because each added elements to NASCAR. 1988 added the Restrictor Plates while 2001 had the death of Dale Sr, which prompted Safer Barriers to be installed and Hans devices to be used.
1988 deserves it more for the father/son finish with Bobby and Davey Allison than the plates, Coincidentally, it was Bobby's Talladega wreck a year prior that led to restrictor plates.
What are your favorite Daytona 500s?
2007
2016
its not a 500 but the 05 pepsi 400 stewarts fence climb
2001 was easily the best racing and one of the most memorable presentations/commentaries at Daytona we've seen until lap 199 in my opinion.
1976 honestly cause I've seen the winning car and got to sit inside of it, it sits in a museum about an hour and half from where I live which is so cool.
I tuned in at the very end of the 2007 Daytona 500, and I was hooked instantly. You can probably thank that finish for me making this comment 15 years later.
That’s incredible, my first recollection of NASCAR was Clint Bowyer coming across the finish line on fire upside down. Guess we have the same start in NASCAR
same for me but 2016
2012 and 2014
2012- The jet dryer incident was shocking and unexpected and led to some funny moments during the red flag
2014- Being a massive Dale Jr fan at the time, to stay up on a school night, watching great racing and seeing your favorite driver win the race, was a sight to believe.
The 2000 and 2013 500s better be 1-2, simply the greatest racing😤
With the 2021 Daytona 500 in 3rd place. 😂
top kek
Fr
💀💀💀💀 please tell me you’re joking 😂😂 8 lead changes in the 2000 D500 2013 had the awful beach ball effect.. just 2 garbage races 😂😂 Dale Sr. Said in reference to 2000 that it was the sorriest racing he’s ever seen 😂
@@JerryTanner_jereth yes ofc I'm joking
The 98 500 is overrated as hell
Love that Dale won it but in reality it was a fairly boring event. The only reason people talk about it is because of who won the race. Not the racing itself.
1999 was the far better event. And 1997 isn’t too far behind that.
Oh yeah I don’t disagree with that.
I think it why he also said the cultural impact of the races was part of the scoring.
@@JamesJohnson-sl6zc and I don’t think that’s a very smart decision. That’s just me tho
Solid list. I might throw the 1983 Daytona 500 in there. 58 lead changes unrestricted, slingshot in full effect. People flirting with the 200mph barrier. Cale Yarborough flipping his car in quals and winning with a show car. The early 80's pre-plate era needed a little love!
The 83 race was a good race a guy sling shots from 5th to 2 basically in the tri oval
100% agree. '80-'87 were consistently great every year.
If only Allison didn't blow out a tire at Talladega...
I'm glad you put the 2007 Daytona 500 at the top. That's one I still watch a lot on RUclips.
Thanks for the spoiler right as I click the video!
@@legoindianajones9854 thanks for reading the comments bro
1959 Petty and Beauchamp, 1976 Petty and Pearson, 1979 What can we say? 1998 Dale finally gets it done, 2007 with one of the most memorable finishes ever. I’d have to say my favorite Daytona 500 had to be 2012. Just the craziness and utter chaos of that night has it at the top of my list. I wish Dave Blaney would’ve won it for Tommy Baldwin. That would’ve been the biggest upset in NASCAR ever.
I would say that an honourable mention should go to the 1988 Daytona 500. This was the first 500 to feature the Restrictor Plate (brought in after the shocking accident that befell Bobby Allison at Talladega in 1987), and on top of that, it featured the iconic father and son 1-2 finish with Bobby Allison edging out Davy Allison for the win
I thought Bobby and Davy would have been on the list myself
@@jeninjeans I guess part of the reason it wasn't on there is probably because initial reaction at the time was that the racing wasn't perceived to be as good and again the cars were perceived to be too slow (one headline from the time said "Chilli was Hotter than the 500,") and drivers mostly had negative views on the Restrictor Plates at the time as well.
Ken Schrader: "the Restrictor ate it all up, it made everybody the same speed and that made it, probably more dangerous than when we were running 210[mph],"
Dale Earnhardt: "this is a damn Fiasco... Someone is going to get killed,"
Little do they know, 13 years later...
I can’t believe your #1 is my #1!!! Although for different reasons!!! I’m a Harvick fan! Everyone followed the Earnhardt family. I’m a car guy. Been in the automotive industry for 25yrs. I stuck with the car. And well when Harvick jumped in, I was fully on board!!!
4 the win!! The closer!!!!
The 2001 Daytona 500 had the best 199 3/4 laps I have ever seen. Unfortunately, we all know had it ended.
yeah! micheal waltrip won!
@@SomeUsernameSomeoneElseTookIt *if only you knew how bad things really are*
@@sulphurous2656 it’s ok he will find out later in life
Maybe Dale had to die for something to change
(NO I AM NOT SAYING IM HAPPY DALE DIED)
I’m only saying that Ryan Newman wouldn’t be here if Dale and others didn’t die when they did
You could say it's the greatest Daytona 499 ever.
I can respect your top ten. Most have short term memories. The 1963 Daytona 500 should without doubt, be on the list. Fireball Roberts was on the pole. The race was dominated by Ned Jarrett and Fred Lorenzen. Johnny Rutherford was in the race after winning the qualifying race in his first ever start and the second was won by Junior Johnson. The winner was Tiny Lund driving for the Wood Brothers after taking the driver seat after pulling Marvin Panch from a burning car ten days prior. He was awarded the opportunity to drive the 21 and won the race.
2007 is always my go to race when I need to watch an older race. It just has everything: spread out field, worn out surface where handling is a premium, two guys looking to make their own history, and later crashing out, the entire field agreeing to say "fuck it" after those two crash out and just go for it all, crashes, and the most cinematic finish in the history of NASCAR under the lights at Daytona. You can't ask for anything else
I was at a Toyota dealership recently, and they had a canvas print of the 2016 finish on the wall. Makes sense. Two Toyotas in a photo finish, that's a good image for the company.
That's my favorite Daytona 500 too! Thank you for letting me relieve it. I was losing my mind when i watched it live.
Not a bad list, I can't believe that nothing from the 1980's didn't make the list.
1988-Bobby and Davey Allison 1-2 finish, Petty's spectacular crash plus the first modern era restrictor plate race.
1981-First year of the downsized cars, Petty's 7th Daytona win.
1989-DW wins after 17 years of trying , several other themes and stories throughout the race.
1986-first year of aerocoupe bodies, Dale and Geoff dramatic fuel milage race. Richard Petty returns to PE.
I know that not every race can make the top 10. These were a few that I feel should have had stronger consideration. Especially 1988.
Not having any race from the greatest era of nascar listed here while listing a bunch of plate crash nonsense completely invalidates the list.
@@JB0143RP all those 80's races should have at least been honorable mentions.
Solid list. 100% agree!
Hell yeah Iceberg! I was just typing a comment about the 2007 Daytona 500 being the best one ever as it was....I'm sentimental for 98 and 92 (Davey A) but Harvick came from about as far back as Earnhardt Sr did @ Talledaga in 2000....and people wonder WHY Senior approved of him to be his teammate in 2002 (and eventual replacement upon retirement per Childress, unfortunately he didn't get to retire). Harvick is a wheelman. And I liked Martin but no no no, at that point I had been a Harvick fan for 11 years (since 1997). Now I DO think NASCAR should start the race in the day and finish at night like they did for a stretch but I am also fine with the race being in the day as it traditionally has been.
Daytona *500:* _exists_
Crashes that led to overtime: *_ratio by Daytona 507.5_*
Honorable mentions could be 2011, 2012, 1999, and 2017.
2017 had a fuel mileage finish with stages.
For the most part I think your list is pretty spot-on. I *might* move 1993 up a spot or two because it was the first race I ever saw on TV, and hooked me on NASCAR. I will say that, despite the unfortunate ending, 2001 is still the most exciting Daytona 500 of all-time. First points race of the 21st Century/New Millennium, first race for FOX, that aero package with the roof strips was insane, great racing, compelling storylines, a memorable Big One, a feel-good winner, and yes, sadly, the passing of a legend.
2001 was the best until lap 199, and I'm tired of pretending that it's not.
It was lap 200, on the 4th turn. Overlooking that(if only for a bit), it was amazing
My top 2 Daytona 500s are the '79 and '98 races. Seeing Yarborough and Allison wreckin each other down the backstretch then throwing fists while Petty comes by and wins another race, that no one thought he was going to win. Then of course, '98 was the year when Dale finally won his Daytona 500. Took em 20 years, through blown tires, wrecks, running out of gas, hell even a damn seagull, he finally won. Then that track killed him. Daytona was Sr's curse I swear
Proud to say I attended one of these races (2014)
Something interesting about the 2014 Daytona Speedweeks was that Hamlin came up one position short of winning the Clash, Duels, and 500.
I was young but I still remember Sr. finally winning the 500. I wasn't a Sr. fan. I was so excited though. Sad that 3 years later we would lose him. I also remember that day.
I really love that you added the NFL primetime music from ESPN for this to make the list even way more epic!!!
2007 was the first race I watched from start to finish and I’ve been a fan ever since, I’ve shown it to plenty of people to help get them into the sport as well. It was truly a perfect race minus Mark not getting the checkered flag. Easily my personal favorite 500.
2006 will always be my favorite 500 not only becuase it was the first race I watched flag to flag, but it was also the first race that fully got me into the sport.
Nice racing
This year I’m going to my 7th straight 500. My dad is going to his 29th. Daytona is my favorite weekend of the year. This video reminded why I love the 500
Edit: 2020 was my favorite that I watched in person besides the finish
Lucky. This year's 500 would have been my 3rd, but money issues and CV happened
Aw sweet dude
this will be my 1st... dunno if I ever plan to go again tho
Had to rip my heart out didn’t you iceberg. The 2007 race was definitely the best because mark lost. I think it would have been the best if he did win. Thanks for the content. 👍
Love how you called Earnhardt Jr. “Little E”
2012 really should be on this list. Even taking away the famous Jet Dryer incident, we had the first ever Primetime Daytona 500, the first start by Danica and all the viewers that brought in, Brad Ks tweet from the backstretch that propelled nascar drivers’ popularity on Twitter, and a great finish at the end as well.
2020 and 2001 are my contenders for greatest 500. Ofc we know how 2001 ended and if Dale walked away from that crash it's likely regarded as the greatest 500 ever, and 2020 was just incredible racing the entire time, as well as an extremely close finish
Little do we know both 500s were months before tragedy hit the world
the 2001 Daytona 500 truly always will be one of the greatest, for its racing quality and the historical impact it left on NASCAR
Let me add the 2002 Daytona 500 for people to ponder. Lots of intriguing storylines throughout, big names getting knocked out early, and a wild finish with a surprise winner. I mean, remember Sterling Marlin in this race?!?! People sleep on this 500 way too often.
The 2007 Daytona 500 was my first one and it was a hit for me
2001: Great race, sad ending
2002: Sterling Marlin incident. Really great racing. The big one took out a ton of great cars.
2008 Daytona 500 is a underrated race
I'd agree, the Car of Tomorrow raced better at plate tracks then Gen 6 ever could and didn't tear as much stuff up.
Slapshoes will vehemently disagree with the #1 pick 😂
Oh my god I remember Dale Jr's Amp energy car. He's the only reason I drank that energy drink.
2007 will always stick to me as the perfect nascar race of all time. Tv coverage spot on, pre race and post race spot on.
I feel the 1997 Daytona 500 never gets the recognition it should. It wasn’t the most exciting race ever, but you had Hendrick motorsports with possibly the greatest team result in ‘500 history whilst Rick Hendrick himself was battling cancer, Dale’s spectacular flip, Jeff recovering from a flat tyre and nearly going a lap down to catch a caution and come from the back to the front. Steve Grissom with one of the most unlikely poles in the history of the great race.
It was great till DaleSr got wrecked. Elliott lost 2nd or 3rd gear earlier in the race.. Hendrick cancer deal mmm all of a sudden his prison trail went away
Mike Skinner was the pole sitter, Steve Grissom the outside pole, and generally it's well loved
@@PaperBanjo64 Correct, I just remembered seeing a clip where Ray Evernham was teasing Dale Sr because his teammate (Skinner) got the pole. Thank you :)
@@jackkeithley4934 I own that official DVD of that race, got it from Meijer in 2007.
Bro, I clicked 7 seconds after you uploaded it
I'm debating if 1979 should be number one. I did bring NASCAR to people outside of the Southeast though I do see your view with 2007.
2001, 2005, and 2007 were my favorite 500s.
Michael Waltrip, Jeff Gordon, and Kevin Harvick getting their first ever Daytona win/in a while. All of them in photo finishes/semi-storybook endings(the blue car that could, mentor vs protege, a drag race to the finish line)
I like the 93, 98, 01(499.75), and 07, but why is everybody sleeping on 2005? It was a great finish too. 8 vs 15 vs 24 vs 48 all the way to the finish, with 20 stick in between
The 2007 Daytona 500 was insane, that was actually the first Daytona 500 ever I watched live
2011 was by far my favorite
1988 definitely deserves a mention. Legendary Bobby Allison won his third one (and his last win) and his son Davey (the great that died too soon) finished second.
I really think there’s something to the 500’s that ended at night. I much prefer when they start in the day and end under the lights
Good list! I think 2012 was a really good race with everything that happened but I agree with most of the list
In my opinion the 2007 Daytona 500 would be even more memorable had Mark Martin won
He had like 30 years to get it done. He wasn’t as good as everyone thought
Absolutely, that race is an argument against the green white checkers
2011 will always be my favourite for Trevor Bayne's "Cinderella Story"
2001 was the best 500 hands down, everything going into that race, the new broadcasting team with fox, everyone knows the unfortunate event that happened at the end but if you look past that and look at the racing it was simply amazing.
I am one of those fans that looks past what happened at the end of the 2001 Daytona 500, and looks at the racing, which was maybe the BEST in NASCAR history.
I remember watching the 2007 500 at a curling club and all of us watching just sat in silence after seeing Mark Martin lose.
My first nascar race (i dont remember details as i was 2 months old) was the 03 Daytona 500
Moments like these make me a PROUD Daytona 500 fan!
2021 500 was amazing how mcdowell got it done!
Great list but it's absolutely missing the 2001 Daytona 500 which imo is #1. I know it had the terrible ending but that race had literally everything and transcended the sport forever.
1993 was the first Winston Cup race I watched flag to flag. I had watched Busch races before that on Saturdays due to Jeff Gordon in the #1 car. 2004 and 2005's Daytona 500s were great. Perhaps the best one, 2001 Daytona 500 would have gotten more recognition, but it gets it for being perhaps the most tragic as Dale Earnhardt perished on the last lap and lost his life playing defense on the field to help Michael Waltrip win his first race. When Earnhardt passed, NASCAR as a whole from what I knew it as was gone and the new era started.
that mello yellow car in the 93 is my all time fav i still have the die cast of that car. that and the 5 tide car had awesome paint
The 2007 Daytona 500 Is My 2nd Favorite Cuz It Was Crazy Like Also I Was Born In The Same Year But The 2007 Daytona Was There Before I Was Here
2004 is one of my all time favorites. Allen, BP, and Wally were the GOATs
2006 too me is so massive. The racing was edge of your seat all day long other than Burton at the start I don't think anyone held the lead for that long. Tony came from the back of the pack three times to get a top 10 finish, and it also was the race that launched the greatest run the sport has ever seen.
Dale Jr was the lap leader with 32 laps led.
My make a wish was to go to the 2010 Daytona 500
I’m surprised you put the 2013 Daytona 500 as far up as you did, but I agree with your decision.
2011 Daytona 500 Champion Trevor Bayne will run 7 races in the Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing this season
I really wish you guys would watch pre-restrictor plate races at Daytona. Especially 1981-1984. As aero improved the racing suffered. Rarely did they have big crashes which is a good thing and the racing was on edge and the drivers could actually get runs and complete passes. High speed and Attrition was the name of the game, not big packs and big crashes.
2005 Daytona 500 is also my favorite 💪
Was an 11 year old die hard Gordon fan and it was probably my favorite win of his up until 2015 Martinsville
Will never forget DW saying he didnt think Gordon could make the outside work then when the last caution came out how surprised he was that a lead change happened lol
"An-and Gordon has made a pass!"
2020 was so good. If only it wasn’t overshadowed by the ending
As a lifelong Jamie Mac fan I appreciate throwing the 2010 race on this list. I agree the 2007 was the best, but disagree that it's more memorable because Mark didn't win. However it does it goes along with the rest of Martin's career of being a sympathetic figure
I agree with 2010 being on here, that’s one is SO underrated
not my favorite 500, but i honestly really liked the 2021 daytona 500, i thought it was exciting
I think this one (2022) will be one for the history books, good or bad
Video suggestion time! Top 10 Talladega Cup Series Races of All Time
The 2007 race just proved how great a driver Mark Martin was but also one of the unluckiest great drivers in history.
The 2001 Daytona 500 would've been the greatest if not for the tragedy on the final lap
As a dale jr fan 2014 is my favorite. But that may change as 2022 will be the first I will attend.
Im baffled on how the 2012 race didn't make it. I agree on most of this list, however 2012 should definitely be up there. 100% in my top 3.
2007 was one of the best finishes of all time. I may be a little biased as Kevin Harvick is my favorite driver but that ending was awesome no matter what.
The 2010 500 was not the final race on that surface. 2010 400 was, Kevin Harvick won that race.
I've been a fan since mid 2017 so here are my Daytona 500s ranked:
1. 2018 (the race solidified to me that I was gonna be a NASCAR fan)
2. 2021 (the rain sucked but I liked the strategy and the family party we had as the race went to midnight)
3. 2019 (ok race, had crashes and packs, just sucked that hamlin won)
4. 2020 (race had rain issues, and the whole Newman wreck had me worried all night while hamlin celebrated without batting an eye)
I think my favorite Daytona 500’s (that u saw) have to be 2009, 2014, 2017, & 2019.
The pothole in the 2010 Daytona 500 was the reason why Daytona got repaved probably
What if Harvick and the outside line didn’t get lined up and got caught up in a crash…and Mark Martin all by his lonesome cruises to win the 07 500?
2007 still gives me emotional damage.
I can’t remember what year it was, but the best 500 has to be the one where Harry Gant spun out fighting for the lead quite late, and then Cole Trickle beat Russ Wheeler to the line with a last lap pass
2007 is my favorite
I really like the 2017 Daytona 500 I think that was one of the best ever
Video idea: Top 10 Daytona 500 crashes (big ones(
Top 10 Talladega big ones
As a Mark Martin fan, and in Iraq at the time watching the '07 500, that finish still hurts my soul
2011 was great, even if tandem racing wasn't the best. Tons of passing, very competitive field, and Trevor Bayne (who?) holding off Carl Edwards for the absolute shock win made for a great race.
Daytonaaaaaaaa!
Look at that 1959 photo finish and the number way against the front wheel. Lol
2011 was the best imo. 2017 deserves an honorable mention
PSA: Everyone please protect your Jet Dryers and keep them safe at all times.
Thank you
1959 and 1976 were not shown flag to flag, and for all we know, these races could have flat out sucked if it weren't for the finishes. Which is what most of this listing is. Guaranteed, if the 1998 Daytona 500 didn't have Dale Sr. winning, it would be remembered as one of the biggest snoozers. One more thing: EVERYONE sleeps on the 1996 500. From flag to flag it was a helluva show with the second episode Dale and Dale in full swing!
Same with 2004 for Jr
2005 was my first Daytona 500 as a fan, I was 11 years old and had gotten into NASCAR hardcore the previous summer.
I feel like the 1988 and 2001 Daytona 500 should be on this list, mainly because each added elements to NASCAR. 1988 added the Restrictor Plates while 2001 had the death of Dale Sr, which prompted Safer Barriers to be installed and Hans devices to be used.
1988 deserves it more for the father/son finish with Bobby and Davey Allison than the plates, Coincidentally, it was Bobby's Talladega wreck a year prior that led to restrictor plates.
2006, 2012, and 2020 should have been on here. No need for an explanation.
And I absolutely agree
Honorable mention: the first 15 laps of the 2021 Daytona 500