No. 8: The 1972 Daytona 500
 © Ford Motorsports History via Wieck A.J. Foyt outdueled the NASCAR regulars to the checkered flag. |
Margin of victory: 1 lap-plus
Why it's No. 8: Foyt's victory in the 1972 Daytona 500 was significant for much the same reason as Andretti's in 1967: A big-name driver from the other side of the tracks (Indy cars) brought attention and prestige to stock car racing.
Foyt, a bigger-than-life Texan, made a Joe Namath-like guarantee prior to the 1972 Daytona 500: "I'll win it." Early on, though, it looked as if Foyt would have trouble living up to his words. He got jammed in traffic and was forced to elbow his way through the crowd of roughhewn NASCAR regulars.
It wasn't until the closing laps, after a contending Richard Petty was sent to the garage because of car failure, that Foyt found himself free and clear of the pack.
Foyt then sailed to the checkered flag, beating Charlie Glotzbach by almost two laps, the biggest margin of victory in Daytona 500 history.
Foyt's gutsy -- and ultimately dominant -- performance earned high praise from the NASCAR fraternity. "He fit right in," drawled Petty.
Here are the top-10 finishers in the 1972 Daytona 500:
| Finish | Driver | Car | Money Won |
| 1 | A.J. Foyt | 1971 Mercury | $45,400 |
| 2 | Charlie Glotzbach | 1971 Dodge | $16,250 |
| 3 | Jim Vandiver | 1970 Dodge | $10,475 |
| 4 | Benny Parsons | 1970 Mercury | $7,150 |
| 5 | James Hylton | 1971 Ford | $5,925 |
| 6 | Cale Yarborough | 1971 Plymouth | $4,660 |
| 7 | David Sisco | 1972 Chevrolet | $4,215 |
| 8 | Jabe Thomas | 1970 Plymouth | $4,365 |
| 9 | John Sears | 1970 Plymouth | $4,145 |
| 10 | Vic Elford | 1970 Plymouth | $3,445 |
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.
