NASCAR
Remembering the Best NASCAR Moments From Independence Day Through the Years
July 4th weekend is for remembering the bravery of America’s Founding Fathers in declaring our independence. Another staple of Independence Day weekend is NASCAR racing at Daytona International Speedway. Whether it’s the Firecracker 400 or the Coke Zero Sugar 400, let’s look back on some of the best NASCAR moments from the Daytona July race.
1984-The King’s 200th Win with the President in Attendance
Independence Day in 1984 is very significant date in the NASCAR history books. The grand marshal for this year’s Firecracker 400 was none other than President Ronald Reagan. He gave the command aboard Air Force One, en route to the Speedway. This race is also famous for its incredibly close finish. 7-time champion Richard Petty beat Cale Yarborough back to the line by mere inches. This would be Petty’s record 200th career win, the last of his storied career. Reagan was the first sitting president to attend a NASCAR race. He would celebrate Petty’s win with a Kentucky Fried Chicken lunch.
1998-The July Night Race That Never Was
1998’s Independence Day classic at Daytona was supposed to be the first night race at the legendary speedway. However, Florida wildfires delayed this race until October. For the first time ever, Daytona was the week after Talladega. 2 of the best ever at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Jeff Gordon, would battle it out to the finish. Gordon would get the win. This would be Jeff’s 11th of 13 wins in 1998, on his way to a 3rd of 4 championships. Night racing at Daytona was a huge success that night. As a result, the Independence Day races have been under the lights ever since.
2001-The Legacy Lives On With Emotional Win for DEI
Perhaps no race weekend at Daytona was more bittersweet than the 2001 July race. 5 months earlier in the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. tragically lost his life. Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers Michael Waltrip and Dale Jr. would finish 1-2. On a late race restart, Jr. would go from 6th to the lead. Jr. then held off a late charge from teammate Waltrip. Jr.’s daring moves were very reminiscent of his father’s mastery of Daytona. He and Waltrip celebrated together in the front stretch grass after the race. This would be Jr.’s first of 2 Independence Day wins at Daytona.
2009-Last Lap Fireworks Leads to Victory for Stewart
Other than Earnhardt Sr., no driver had more success at Daytona than Tony Stewart. Even though Stewart never won the 500, he had 4 career wins in the Independence Day 400 mile classic. His most memorable triumph at Daytona came in 2009. Going into the tri-oval on the last lap, 2nd-place Stewart turned leader Kyle Busch into the outside wall, stealing the victory from his former teammate. This would be the 2nd ever win for Stewart-Haas Racing. Tony also claimed to regret this daring move in victory lane. Stewart would go on to win the Coke Zero 400 again 3 years later, for his last of 4 July wins at Daytona.
2015-NBC Coverage returns, 3 car Goes Into the Fence
After a 10 year hiatus, NASCAR Cup Series coverage would return to NBC Sports with the 2015 Coke Zero 400. Fans that Independence Day weekend were treated to a very emotional race. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. took the win in dominating fashion. Moments after the 88 took the checkered flag, the 3 car and driver Austin Dillon were launched into the catchfence. Thankfully nobody was seriously injured., even after Dillon was slammed into afterwards by Brad Keselowski. This would be Earnhardt Jr.’s final Daytona victory, as he will be broadcasting this weekend’s race on NBC.
Will another historic race finish happen this weekend at Daytona? 160 laps of racing will lead to an exciting finish on Saturday night. This will also be the first Daytona race which Dale Jr. will be broadcasting. One of the best ever at the superspeedway, Jr. will surely make the race coverage even more entertaining for the fans. NBC will air the entire race, with plenty of additional programming from Daytona. Independence Day weekend coverage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 will be Saturday night at 7 PM EST.
