(Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Firecracker, Pepsi, or Coke Zero—the 400-miler at Daytona has always been exciting, and there have been many big-time upsets to conquered the races atmosphere.
The first true "upset" win in the 400 happened way back in 1966, when a guy named Sam McQuagg won the 1966 Firecracker 400. McQuagg and his Dodge team, owned by Ray Nichels, created this new thing called a "rear spoiler" to help turn the car better, and that win would change the sport.
The biggest upset in NASCAR history would come 19 years later at the same race track on July 4, 1985. When the NASCAR world woke up that afternoon, no one would have told you that a man from Long Island, New York named Greg Sacks would win the 1985 Pepsi Firecracker 400.
Sacks ran a research and development car for DiGard Racing at the time. The plan was for Sacks to run a few laps, bring the car in to make major adjustments, go back out and do it over again. However, when Sacks ran with heavily-favored Bill Elliott, the plan was scrapped. DiGard Racing was scrapped too, for people to work as Greg's pit crew.
When cars fell out, Billy Gardner, the owner of DiGard Racing, asked other teams pit crews to help out, and they did. Pretty soon, they had a full pit crew and Sacks held off Elliott for the biggest upset in NASCAR history.
A friend of mine went to this race and said that he had no idea who was in the No. 10 car that afternoon, and he went through the stands searching for a guy with headsets so he could figure it out. When a man said "Greg Sacks," he walked away and said, "Who the hell is Greg Sacks?" Pretty big upset don't you think?
Nine years later a very "exciting" finish concluded the 1994 Pepsi 400. A man from Berwick, Pennsylvania, known as "Mr Excitement," was having the run of his life. Jimmy Spencer found his No. 27 McDonald's Ford among the leaders all day. Spencer was still considered a long shot all day until the closing laps when he moved in on Ernie Irvan.
On the final lap Spencer moved his Ford up the racetrack and really gained ground on Irvan. Spencer came off of turn 4 and powered his way past Irvan to the checkered. Spencer and Irvan were side by side for a photo finish, that photo revealing that Spencer's McDonald's Ford winning the event. It was Spencer's first career win in the Cup Series, and it came in dramatic fashion.
Three years later another man from Pennsylvania, Bethlehem this time, would shock the NASCAR world. John Andretti came into the 1997 Pepsi 400 as a long shot. He started third, but he was not considered a favorite to win the event. When the green flag dropped, however, people began to believe that this former Indy Car driver would win his first Cup Series event. Andretti dominated all day, leading 113 of the 160 laps that afternoon to win the final day race in Pepsi 400 history. That was also Andretti's first Cup Series win.
In 2003, another driver would get his first career win in the 400, and it came as a big surprise to everyone. A rare fuel mileage race was won by little known Vancouver, Washington native, Greg Biffle. Biffle's car was damaged in an earlier incident, and Biffle was able to stay out longer on fuel then the rest of the back and win his first race of his Cup career.
Four years later, perhaps the closest finish in NASCAR history occurred. In 2007, Jamie McMurray and Kyle Busch swapped the lead five times in the closing laps. Coming to the line, McMurray nicked Busch by .005 seconds. It was McMurray's second career victory, and his first with car owner Jack Roush.
Daytona has always been filled with upset victories, especially in the 400. Could we have a surprise winner Saturday? We shall see!
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