<P> The 1979 Daytona 500, the 21st annual event, was the second race of the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup) season . It was held on February 18, 1979 . Sports pundits consider the 1979 Daytona 500 to be the most important race in stock car history . </P> <P> The race was televised live beginning to end, a rarity in that era, and the first for a 500 - mile race in the United States . Camera angles such as the "in - car" view were introduced to United States racing viewers . </P> <P> On the final lap of the 500, race leaders Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison collided with each other on the Daytona International Speedway's back stretch . Both drivers' races ended in Daytona's grass infield . The wreck allowed Richard Petty, then over one - half lap behind both, to claim his sixth Daytona 500 win . </P> <P> At the same time Petty made his way to Victory Lane to celebrate, a fight erupted between Yarborough, Donnie Allison, and his brother Bobby at the site of the back stretch wreck . Both events were caught by television cameras and broadcast live . </P>

Who won the 1979 daytona 500 in a cutlass