ESPN Classic Airing Classic Daytona 500 Races

In advance of the 50th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, ESPN Classic will be televising six of the best Daytona 500 races of all time every Monday at 2 p.m. ET through Feb. 11. On Monday, Jan. 28, ESPN Classic will air the 1998 Daytona 500.

The 1998 race is widely-remembered for Dale Earnhardt finally winning NASCAR’s biggest race after nearly 20 years of frustration. After holding off a snarling pack of cars for the win, Earnhardt drove his black No. 3 down pit road and was greeted by crew members from all teams in the race as they shared in the celebration.

ESPN.com’s NASCAR page features a poll where viewers can log on to choose their favorite Daytona 500 from the six. Then, on Saturday night, Feb. 16, the night before the 2008 version of NASCAR’s biggest race, ESPN Classic will show the top five races as chosen by the fans in their order of preference, starting at 10 p.m.

Controversial 1989 North Wilkesboro NASCAR Race on ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic will give NASCAR fans a chance to see an exciting race with a controversial finish with an airing of highlights of the 1989 Holly Farms 400 from North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway Friday, Jan. 25, at 3 a.m. ET.

While Geoff Bodine won the race, the event is remembered more for an on-track confrontation between Dale Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd. As they battled side-by-side for the lead entering turn one on the last lap, the two touched and spun, opening the door for Bodine to win the race.

North Wilkesboro Speedway held races for NASCAR’s top series until it closed following the 1996 season.

Jeff Gordon SportsCentury Program Airing Tuesday on ESPN Classic

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star Jeff Gordon is the focus of an episode of SportsCentury airing Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 9:30 a.m. ET on ESPN Classic.

ESPN Classic’s Emmy and Peabody Award-winning signature series, SportsCentury, airs weekday mornings at 9 a.m.

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