Daytona 500 2012: The 5 Longest Editions of the Great American Race

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In the 54-year history of the Daytona 500, the race has been both a display of skill behind the wheel throughout the years, but a great show of endurance when the race runs longer than expected in the biggest event on the NASCAR schedule.

Here’s a quick list of the five longest single editions of the Daytona 500 through the rich history of NASCAR’s version of the Super Bowl for the best stock car racers in the world.

1959: Lee Petty

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Even though it wasn’t called the Daytona 500 when the race was ran in 1959, NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty took his No. 42 Oldsmobile to victory lane in the First Annual 500 Mile International Sweepstakes after racing on Daytona Beach for three hours, 41 minutes and 22 seconds. 

2005: Jeff Gordon

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In his third victory in the Great American Race during the 2005 Daytona 500, Jeff Gordon was able to hold off the late charge of Kurt Busch as the race went into a green-white-checkered for the first time in the history of the race, extending the length of the race to three hours, 45 minutes and 16 seconds.

2010: Jamie McMurray

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With the 2010 edition of the Daytona topping that of the 2005 race by a flat two minutes, Jamie McMurray did his best impression of Jeff Gordon, as he held off the charge of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., to win the race on a green-white-checkered on the second attempt.

2011: Trevor Bayne

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The young Trevor Bayne made history in the Daytona 500 last February, as he became the youngest driver to win the Great American Race at 20 years old and a day. The rookie spent three hours, 59 minutes and 24 seconds inside the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford.

1960: Junior Johnson

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In what had the slowest average speed in the history of the Daytona 500, Junior Johnson took his skills as a moonshiners in his days before NASCAR to win the second edition of the Great American Race in 1960 after spending a record four hours and 30 seconds in his No. 27 Chevrolet. 

Chris Humphrey is a featured columnist for BleacherReport.com. In his time with B/R, he has wrote for multiple sections like college basketball, the UFC, the NBA, the NFL and college football in a short period of time with the site. You can become a fan of him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @_CBH_.