NASCAR: David Pearson’s Five Most Significant Wins
By Mike Hutton
Number 1: 1976 Daytona 500
Significance: Only Daytona 500 win, Last Lap crash to limp across finish line
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Commentary: The ’76 Daytona 500 will be remembered for Pearson’s battle with Richard Petty, which lasted until the last turn on the last lap, when both cars touched and spun to the infield grass. Petty’s car was ahead of Pearson’s, but was stopped short of the finish line by about 250 feet and couldn’t get going again on it’s own. Pearson was able to drive away from his spin under his own power and crossed the finish line at about 20 miles per hour. It was Pearson’s first and only Daytona 500 win.