Daytona 500 Trivia Questions

The 2021 Daytona 500 was postponed from February 14 to February 15 due to rain, but it was still held. However, the race was never canceled entirely—only delayed. Still, it's a trick: no full cancellations ever.

The Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona both use restrictor plates (or tapered spacers now). Also, Talladega Superspeedway races use them too. A common myth.

The iconic Harley J. Earl Trophy features a gold-plated eagle, but it weighs about 35 pounds, not over 50. The exaggeration makes it a plausible myth.

Lee Petty won the inaugural 1959 Daytona 500 after a photo finish. He didn't lead a single lap until the final one, making it one of the most dramatic first wins in NASCAR history.

A 1959 Ford Thunderbird served as the pace car, but it was scrapped or destroyed after use. No original 1959 Daytona 500 pace car is known to survive.

The last driver to win from the pole was Dale Jarrett in 2000. Since then, no pole-sitter has won, making it one of NASCAR's most stubborn droughts.

Danica Patrick led laps under caution in 2013, but she never led a lap under green. The statement is false because she did technically lead laps overall.

Richard Petty spun across the finish line backwards during the 1976 Firecracker 400, not the Daytona 500. It's a famous moment often misattributed to the 500.