• The new 2.5-mile D-shaped Daytona International Speedway opens for practice runs Feb. 1. The new track is banked 31 degrees.

• When asked why the angle of banking at Daytona was set at 31 degrees, NASCAR president and track builder Bill France Sr. replies, "because we couldn't lay asphalt any steeper."

• NASCAR driver Jimmy Thompson offers his observation on the new giant track: "There have been other tracks that separated the men from the boys. This is the track that will separate the brave from the weak after the boys are gone."

• Shorty Rollins wins the first event at the new Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 20 -- a 100-mile Convertible Division race. Bob Welborn wins the accompanying 100-mile Grand National event. They were both qualifying races for the inaugural Daytona 500.

• Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp dash under the checkered flag in a near dead heat at the finish of the inaugural Daytona 500. The finish is so close that it takes 61 hours for NASCAR officials to declare Petty the winner in a 1959 Oldsmobile.

• Production begins on feature length film on Grand National racing. Footage for the film "Thunder in Carolina" is shot during the Southern 500 at Darlington. NASCAR officials permit a "movie car" driven by star Rory Calhoun to make a pit stop during the running of the race.

• Lee Petty wraps up his third Grand National championship, winning 11 times in 42 starts.