Johnny beauchamp wikipedia

• At first, late on Sunday afternoon of Feb. 22, 1959, there was uncertainty surrounding who had won the first Daytona 500.
• Three cars had taken the checkered flag side-by-side-by side: Joe Weatherly in a Chevrolet on the outside, Lee Petty in an Oldsmobile in the middle, and Johnny Beauchamp in a Ford on the bottom.
• By Wednesday following the race, after reviewing live footage from Hearst News sources, France reversed the decision of who won the race.

When all was said and done, the inaugural Daytona 500 in February of 1959 couldn’t have turned out better for NASCAR and its founder/president Bill France Sr.

Unlike some other major races in subsequent years, everything that could go right went right.

But not at first.

At first, late on Sunday afternoon of Feb.

22, 1959, there was uncertainty surrounding who had won the first 500-miler at France’s brand-new Daytona International Speedway. Three cars Jonny Beauchamp - Actor - TV Insider TEZUC