Mario Andretti, better known for his accomplishments in open-wheel and USAC competition, won his first and only
NASCAR Grand National Series event, pulling away from 1965 winner
Fred Lorenzen in the closing laps. He ran in a
Holman-Moody Ford. This is the only time a person born outside the
United States has ever won the Daytona 500. More than 94,000 people witnessed a 204-minute race where six cautions slowed the pace for a total of 54 laps. There were 36 lead changes among 9 drivers. Curtis Turner won the pole at a speed of .
Tiny Lund ran out of gas while trying to win the race. Six drivers failed to make the grid; including
Don Biederman and
Earl Brooks.
Innes Ireland raced his final race ever when the V8 engine of his Dodge exploded outside the stands. First Daytona 500 starts for Donnie Allison, Clyde Lynn, Ramo Stott, Gary Bettenhausen, and Coo Coo Marlin. Only Daytona 500 starts for Dorus Wisecarver, Joel Davis, Innes Ireland, Ken Spikes, Bob Pickell, and George England. Last Daytona 500 starts for H. B. Bailey, Curtis Turner, J. T. Putney, Jim Paschal, Dick Hutcherson, Don White, Blackie Watt, and Paul Lewis. ==Race results==