NASCAR Cup Series 1973 1 1973-02-18 1973-02-18 https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/thumb/ctlana1614082476.jpg https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/poster/i6opck1771078273.jpg The 1973 Daytona 500, the 15th running of the event, was won by Richard Petty on February 18, 1973, at Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Four cautions slowed the race for 28 laps. A crowd of over one hundred thousand came to see a field of 38 American and two Canadians (Earl Ross and Vic Parsons). The average speed for the race was 157.205 miles per hour (252.997 km/h) while Buddy Baker achieved the pole position with a speed of 185.662 miles per hour (298.794 km/h). Bobby Isaac would finish second to Richard Petty by more than two laps. Both Hollar and Jett participated in qualifying and were supposed to start in the 125s (Hollar was supposed to start 38th in race 1 and Jett was supposed to start 26th in race 2), but for whatever reason neither driver ended up participating. 2434743