States with the most drivers to win the Daytona 500

No. 3 – Three racers from the state 

One U.S. state had the third-most drivers to have won the Daytona 500. 

SOUTH CAROLINA 

Cale Yarborough: Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Yarborough was a high school football star at Timmonsville High School and went on to play semi-pro football and was even a Golden Gloves boxer. The multi-talented athlete made the pivot into racing and went on to win the Daytona 500 in 1968, 1977, 1983 and 1984.

David Pearson: Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Pearson used to climb trees so that he could see into the races at Spartanburg Fairgrounds. His clear desire for racing motivated him to work in order to save up money to buy himself a car. The hard work earned him a checked flag in the 1976 Daytona 500. 

Buddy Baker: Born in Florence, South Carolina to NASCAR legend Buck Baker, Buddy simply followed in his father’s footsteps. Unlike his dad, Buddy managed to win the Daytona 500 in 1980.

Following in his father,#NASCARHOFer Buck Baker’s footsteps, Buddy Baker took to racing creating a legacy (and setting records) of his own. In 1970, Baker became the first driver to eclipse the 200-mph mark on a closed course while testing at @TalladegaSuperS. #NASCAR #NASCARHall pic.twitter.com/rfGULKY3jf

— NASCAR Hall of Fame (@NASCARHall) May 22, 2019