First Daytona 500 winner dies

Lee Petty, first of the Petty family dynasty who have won in NASCAR stock racing since its inception, has died

Apr 5, 2000, 4:28 PM

Petty, who was 86, was the first driver to win the now-legendary Daytona 500, a feat he achieved by way of a photo finish in a V8 Oldsmobile at an average speed of over 135 mph.

Petty's son Richard who raced under the Petty Racing banner set up by Lee, became one of the most successful in NASCAR history.

Kyle Petty, Lee's grandson carried the dynasty on into the 90s, and finally Lee's great-grandson Adam made his NASCAR Winston Cup debut just a week before Lee died.

"Lee raced in our first Winston Cup event in Charlotte, won the inaugural Daytona 500 and played a leadership role in the early growth of our sport," said NASCAR President Bill France.

"The family's active role as competitors continues today and even reached a precedent setting fourth-generation over the weekend with Adam's debut in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. All of us at NASCAR are saddened to hear of Lee's passing and extend our deepest sympathy to his family."