The inaugural Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway proved seeing can be deceiving.
Johnny Beauchamp celebrates with the trophy in victory lane after the first Daytona 500 in 1959. Three days later, the trophy went to Lee Petty.France, on the flagstand with flagman Johnny Bruner Sr., immediately called it a Beauchamp/Petty 1-2. . France’s call was immediately second- and third-guessed by the media overlooking the start-finish line and competitors watching from pit road.
By the time Warren got to the speedway’s photo studio, news of Beauchamp’s victory was spreading. Understandably, France defended his call. Petty, of course, agreed: “A man who finished two feet ahead of another is supposed to be the winner,” he said. “I just hope the man who got to that finish line collects the first-prize money. I am confident I won.” Beauchamp’s stoic reaction was simple: “I won,” he said.
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