On February 15, 1970, a massive crowd of 103,800 fans packed Daytona International Speedway for the 12th running of the Daytona 500. A strong 40-car field took the green flag on the 2.5-mile tri-oval.
Cale Yarborough won the pole with a blazing speed of 194.015 mph and also captured his qualifying 125-miler on Thursday. Fellow front-row starter Charlie Glotzbach won the other 125.
In one of the most dramatic finishes in Daytona 500 history, rookie Pete Hamilton — driving the winged #40 Petty Enterprises Plymouth Superbird and starting ninth — dueled with David Pearson in the closing stages. Hamilton made the winning pass with just nine laps to go and held on to beat Pearson by three car lengths at the checkered flag. Bobby Allison finished third, followed by Charlie Glotzbach and Bobby Isaac.
The race was slowed by six cautions for 45 laps, with Hamilton averaging 149.601 mph over the 500 miles. He earned $44,850 for the victory — his first Grand National win in just his 20th career start.
