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February 22, 1970 – Plymouth Superbird gets first NASCAR win at Daytona 500
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February 22, 1970 – Plymouth Superbird gets first NASCAR win at Daytona 500

Some say the modern era of NASCAR began with the running of the 1970 Daytona 500. By that point, race cars were far less stock than their predecessors as automakers specially designed them for the track. Of course, street legal versions turned up at dealers, as a limited quantity must roll off the assembly lines to qualify for the series. It was one of those limited run cars, an aerodynamic Plymouth Superbird, that chalked its first win at the Daytona 500 ran on this day in 1970. The number 40 car, driven by Pete Hamilton for Petty Enterprises, crossed the finish line three car lengths ahead of David Pearson. An easy win it was not. Nearly 105,000 fans watched the 200 minute race that featured 24 lead changes. Almost a quarter of the race ran under the caution flag, mostly due to b...
January 31, 1988 – Jaguar wins its first 24 Hours of Daytona
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January 31, 1988 – Jaguar wins its first 24 Hours of Daytona

When the 1988 24 Hours of Daytona came to a close on this day in 1988, a Jaguar XJR-9 had covered the most distance, marking the first time the automaker won the race. The car, driven by Raul Boesel, Martin Brundle, John Nielsen and Jan Lammers, traveled 2,591.680 miles. Above: Ford pit box at 1967 24 Hours of Daytona. By Puchino - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0. Top: The winning Jaguar XJD-9. By Michael Crews, via www.racingsportscars.com The first 24 Hours at Daytona ran in 1966. Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby won, driving a Ford GT40 Mk II. However, it would be Porsche that would prove dominant in the race. Between 1966 and 1988, the German sports car company won 16 times. Four years after this running, the trophy would go to Japan for the first time.
February 2, 1992 – 24 Hours at Daytona trophy goes to Japan for first time
This Day

February 2, 1992 – 24 Hours at Daytona trophy goes to Japan for first time

Endurance automobile racing began at Daytona International Raceway in Florida shortly after the course opened in April of 1959, beginning with a six hour sports car race. The green flag at the first 24 Hours of Daytona took flew in 1966. Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby won the event driving a Ford GT40 Mk. II. For decades Porsche dominated the race, with an occasional American or other European win. Then, on this day in 1992 when Japanese racers Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Toshio Suzuki took the trophy to Japan for the first time. They raced a Nissan R91CP (pictured) sponsored by Nissan Motorsports Intl. Together, the drivers covered 2,712.720 miles (4,365.7 km) during their monumental victory. Daytona road course

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