Johnny Beauchamp (born June 22, 1923 – died March 16, 1981) was an American stock car racing driver primarily known for his participation in the inaugural Daytona 500 in 1959, where he was initially declared the winner before the decision was famously overturned.
Early Career
Beauchamp began his racing career in the Midwest, competing in various dirt track events and local stock car races. He built a reputation as a competitive driver before making his foray into the nascent NASCAR Grand National Series (now Cup Series) in the late 1950s.
1959 Daytona 500
Beauchamp's career is most famously defined by the inaugural Daytona 500, held on February 22, 1959, at the newly constructed Daytona International Speedway. Driving a #73 Ford, he was locked in a fierce battle for the lead with Lee Petty in the final laps.
The race concluded with a dramatic photo finish. Both Beauchamp and Petty crossed the finish line in what appeared to be a dead heat, with Joe Weatherly also in contention just behind them. NASCAR officials, including Bill France Sr., were unable to immediately determine a winner. Track announcer Babe Stapp declared Beauchamp the provisional winner, and he even drove his car to Victory Lane. However, Lee Petty immediately protested the decision, claiming he had won.
NASCAR spent three days reviewing newsreel footage, still photographs, and timing tapes. On February 25, 1959, Bill France Sr. announced that Lee Petty's #42 Oldsmobile had indeed won the race by approximately two feet, overturning the initial declaration. This controversial decision became one of the most iconic moments in NASCAR history, establishing the significance of the photo finish and the rigorous review process.
Subsequent Career and Retirement
Following the controversial Daytona 500, Beauchamp continued to race sporadically in the NASCAR Grand National Series, making a total of 24 starts between 1958 and 1961. He recorded two top-5 finishes and five top-10 finishes in his career. While he never achieved another victory or reached the same level of fame as the 1959 Daytona 500, he remained a respected figure among his peers.
Beauchamp retired from full-time racing after the 1961 season. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 57.
Legacy
Despite not having a long or highly decorated NASCAR career, Johnny Beauchamp holds a unique place in stock car racing history as a central figure in one of the sport's most famous and debated finishes. The 1959 Daytona 500, and Beauchamp's role in it, remains a foundational story in the lore of NASCAR.