11/2/1971

Record updated

Pete Hamilton and David Pearson won the twin 125-mile NASCAR Grand National qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway.

Hamilton beat A.J. Foyt by 3 feet to win the first race. Hamilton made the winning pass when Foyt eased off the throttle for Ron Keselowski's flipping car, allowing Hamilton to close and pass. It was Hamilton's first start in Cotton Owens' Plymouth. Pearson drove his Holman-Moody Mercury by Buddy Baker's Petty Dodge with 6 laps to go to take the second race.