Top Drivers Who Lost Their Lives Fighting For The Daytona 500 Title

Since opening in 1959, Daytona International Speedway has been the home of the Daytona 500, the most esteemed race in NASCAR. Many drivers have tried to take on the Daytona 500 title and succumbed to grave accidents their efforts.

Most recently Ryan Newman was involved in a very serious accident while fighting for the Daytona 500 win. Thankfully, he is recovering well and will be making his comeback soon. However, not everyone was this lucky.

Read More: Will Ryan Newman Be Joining The Virtual eNASCAR Grid Before His Return?

40 individuals have been lethally harmed in on-track incidents. The list includes 23 car drivers, twelve motorcyclists, three go-kart drivers, one powerboat racer, and one track laborer. Here is a list of drivers who lost their lives fighting for the Daytona 500 winner title.

List of Drivers who lost their lives during the Daytona 500 race

Dale Earnhardt

The most unfortunate demise may have been that of Dale Earnhardt, who was killed on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. Going into the last turn, the back of Earnhardt’s Chevrolet Monte Carlo reached Sterling Marlin’s front guard, which caused Earnhardt to quickly slide towards the cover before shooting up the banking. Earnhardt died on the spot. However, he wasn’t announced dead until his landing in Halifax Medical Center, caused by a Basilar Skull Fracture.

Dale was succeeded by his son Dale Earnhardt Jr who won the race twice during his career.

Rodney Orr

He was the 1993 NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series champion and was a contender for the 94 Winston Cup. He was killed in an accident during the practice of the 1994 Daytona 500. While making a mock qualifying run he spun entering the turn two. His car lifted up in the air and slammed heavily into the outside retaining wall roof first at over 175 mph. He succumbed to his injuries right on the track.

Neil Bonnett

He was a famous American NASCAR driver who won 18 races and 20 poles over his 18-year career. He was a famed TV personality with multiple TV appearances in movies and as a commentator for CBS, TBS, and TNN in the years until his death. he had an accident during the first practice session for the 1994 Daytona 500. A surprise mechanical failure caused him to lose control of his Chevrolet on the track’s high-banked fourth turn. The car smashed into the track apron, and then up the steep bank before crashing into the wall. He didn’t survive the incident.

Daytona 500 track designed for speed and thrill

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The track was conceptualized in 1959 by NASCAR founder William “Bill” France, Sr. The idea was to have a racing track which would be an improvement over the Daytona Beach Road Course. The tracks legendary banking design allows for higher speeds and give fans a superior view of the track action.