Florida Flashback: February 20

At last, it is Daytona 500 race day, bringing a close to Florida Speedweeks. Before you settle in for The Great American Race, here is our February 20 Florida Flashback.

1960 - NASCAR Hall of Fame Red Farmer wins a 30-lap dash at Hollywood Speedway in Hallandale, Florida. Farmer was chasing Modified points at the time and beat out Rod Perry and Ernie Reeves for the victory. Farmer won 15 times at the venue before it closed in 1969. Rod Perry was a little bit better, as he had 17 NASCAR Modified wins there. In July of 1960, the two drivers finished in a dead heat for the win.

1972 - AJ Foyt is one of the best drivers to ever climb into a race car. On this day in 1972, he won the Daytona 500. This was no fluke as he led 167 laps for the Wood Brothers number 21 and won the race by over a lap. Charlie Glotzbach was second after starting sixth. Richard Petty led 32 laps, but was out before halfway when he dropped a valve.

THE THIRD TURN: 1972 Daytona 500

1977 - On this day in 1977, Richie Evans mastered the New Smyrna oval for the first time in six nights at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car racing. Despite no wins, until the final night Evans was able to win the 1977 World Series championship, his first of six at New Smyrna. Geoff Bodine was second, but came up two points short to the fellow New York driver.

THE THIRD TURN: 1977 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing - Tour-type Modifieds

1994 - Sterling Marlin had to wait 279 races before he scored his first win in the 1994 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Marlin started fourth and led the final 21 laps to beat Ernie Irvan for the win. Marlin, a Tennessee native, was a track champion at Nashville before his cup days. The Daytona high banks were always kind as he won the 500 again in 1995.

THE THIRD TURN: 1994 Daytona 500

-Photo credit: ISC Archives via Getty Images