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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – When looking at the history of the Daytona 500, there’s one predominant theme that echoes throughout – Families.

Pettys – Father Lee, Son Richard, Grandson Kyle
There’s no family that holds more Daytona 500 history than the Petty family.
The family patriarch Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 back in 1959 in a photo finish that took 61 hours to determine the winner. Lee Petty’s son Richard Petty won a record seven Daytona 500 but is probably more remembered for a race he didn’t win – the 1976 Daytona 500.

The Jarretts – Father Ned, son Dale
Ned Jarrett never had the chance to celebrate a Daytona 500 victory, but he was able to celebrate three of his son’s Daytona 500 triumphs.

Waltrips – Brothers Darrell and Michael
Darrell and Michael Waltrip are the only brothers to have won the Daytona 500.
Darrell Waltrip captured his first and only Daytona 500 win in 1989 when the numbers finally aligned for him – his car number was 17, his daughter Jessica was 17 months old and it was his 17th attempt at winning the Daytona 500.


Earnhardts – Father Dale, son Dale Jr.
Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are one of three father-son combinations to win the Daytona 500 with the others being the Allisons and Pettys.

Allisons – Father Bobby, brother Donnie, son Davey
Bobby Allison won three Daytona 500s, including a historic 1-2 father-son finish with his son Davey in the 1988 Daytona 500.

Others – the Marlins, Woods, Parrotts and Elliotts
Coo Coo Marlin never won a Daytona 500 but did win a Gatorade Duel back in 1973 while his son Sterling Marlin is one of only three drivers to win back-to-back Daytona 500s in 1994 and 1995 … In addition to Lee and Maurice Petty, Todd and Buddy Parrott are the only other father-son crew chief combination to win the Daytona 500 … The Wood Brothers – Glen and Leonard Wood – have four Daytona 500 wins as owners with drivers Tiny Lund, David Pearson, A.J. Foyt and Cale Yarborough … Bill Elliott’s brother Ernie Elliott served as the crew chief for his two Daytona 500 wins in 1985 and 1987 and his Daytona 500 record setting qualifying lap of 210.364 mph.

Family Ties Run Strong In Daytona 500 History - Daytona International Speedway