The 1-2 Finishes of NASCAR Icons David Pearson and Richard Petty

They came to the white flag side by side, two legends with nothing left to prove—except to each other. David Pearson and Richard Petty tangled in one of the most dramatic finishes in NASCAR history. A black flag. A white flag. A final lap with smoke, chaos, and glory. And then, they wrecked. Both of them. Spinning, sliding, slamming the wall. And somehow, Pearson still won. Barely.

• Why was David Pearson shown the black flag, and why didn’t he come in?
• What happened when both Petty and Pearson wrecked with the finish line in sight?
• How did Pearson manage to win with a destroyed race car?
• What did Petty say afterward about the wreck and the finish?

Their rivalry was a war between titans. From wild pit strategy and car troubles to the most jaw-dropping final lap NASCAR may ever see, the 1976 Daytona 500 ended with an explosion of controversy, pride, and pure racing grit. If you’ve ever wanted to understand why Pearson and Petty are talked about with such reverence, this is the race that defines it. The final lap alone is enough to give you chills.

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