No. 10: The 1962 Daytona 500

Winner: Glen "Fireball" Roberts
Margin of victory: 27 seconds

Why it's No. 10: "Fireball" Roberts -- who acquired his nickname not for his skill as a racer but rather for the flaming fastballs he threw as a high school baseball player -- was among the original superstars of NASCAR.

Known for his flare on the track, Roberts was a frequent winner in the 1950s and early 1960s – except, ironically, when he raced in his hometown of Daytona Beach, Florida. In 1955, he finished first on the Daytona beach course but was disqualified because of a mechanical technicality. In 1961, he was running away with the Daytona 500, but his day ended abruptly when his car's engine blew.

Fireball Roberts won the 1962 Daytona 500.
©Ford Motorsports History via Wieck
"Fireball" Roberts will always be remembered
for his exciting win in the 1962 Daytona 500.


In the 1962 Daytona 500, however, he wouldn't be denied. After dining on his favorite pre-race meal, a bologna sandwich, Fireball strapped himself into his car and rolled onto the track for some payback.

The race came down to a spirited two-car battle between Fireball and a young upstart named Richard Petty. Ultimately, Roberts pulled away and won by 27 seconds. Petty would go on to win a record 200 NASCAR races; Roberts, meanwhile, died tragically in 1964 after a gruesome crash in the World 600 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On February 18, 1962, however, time stood still. It was the day Roberts beat a legend-in-the-making and finally left a lasting mark on his hometown.

Here are the top-10 finishers in the 1962 Daytona 500:
Finish Driver
Car
Money Won
1
Fireball Roberts
1962 Pontiac
$24,190
2
Richard Petty
1962 Plymouth
 $10,250
3
Joe Weatherly
1962 Pontiac
$7,100
4
Jack Smith
1962 Pontiac
$4,025
5
Fred Lorenzen
1962 Ford
$2,975
6
David Pearson
1962 Pontiac
$2,075
7
Rex White
1962 Chevrolet
$1,150
8
Banjo Matthews
1962 Pontiac
$1,050
9
Ned Jarrett
1962 Chevrolet
$850
10
Bob Welborn
1962 Pontiac
$750

For more information on NASCAR and on high-performance cars, check out:
  • To learn everything you need to know about "The Great American Race" -- from its history to the technical aspects of driving at Daytona International Speedway -- read How the Daytona 500 Works.
  • Ever wonder what makes a stock car go? Read How NASCAR Race Cars Work to find out.
  • Driver safety is a huge concern in NASCAR. Learn what measures the series takes in this area by reading How NASCAR Safety Works.
  • Muscle cars embody the NASCAR philosophy of speed and power. Here are features on more than 100 classic muscle cars, including photos and specifications for each model.
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