By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service

Today marks seven days before NASCAR Cup Series drivers compete in the 67th running of the Great American Race. The number “7” is particularly significant in DAYTONA 500 lore, given that it’s the record number of victories in the race posted by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty. “The King” was the only driver to finish on the lead lap when he beat runner-up Jimmy Pardue for his first DAYTONA 500 trophy in 1964. After wins in 1966, 1971, 1973 and 1974, Petty came from a distant third to win the 1979 race after Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough wrecked each other on the backstretch while battling for the lead. Petty’s last win in the Great American Race came in 1981, when he beat rival Bobby Allison to the finish line by 3.5 seconds.

Tune-in to the 2025 DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, February 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.