1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series - Pepsi 400

Pepsi 400

The Pepsi 400 was held Saturday July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole position, and Richard Petty qualified second, in his final race at Daytona. President George H. W. Bush attended pre-race ceremonies which honored Richard Petty, and Bush served as the grand marshal. At the start, Petty whipped the capacity crowd into a frenzy when he led the first five laps. Before long, the fastest cars shuffled to the front, and the race became a battle between Ernie Irvan, Sterling Marlin, Dale Jarrett, Geoff Bodine and Bill Elliott. Irvan held off a furious charge by Marlin and Jarrett by two car lengths.

Frustration increased for Dale Earnhardt, now-midway through what would turn out to be his worst Winston Cup season. He was the first car out, suffering engine failure, dropping him 252 points behind points leader Allison, who still held a 46-point lead over Elliott.

• This race was attended by President George H. W. Bush.
• A special ceremony was held during the pre-race festivities, honoring Richard Petty's final race at Daytona. Petty had spent time before the race testing at Daytona, in hopes that he might win the pole position and possibly be a factor in the race. He held the provisional pole for quite some time, and ultimately qualified second. He led the first 5 laps (the final laps led of his long career). He dropped out in 36th due to heat-related fatigue. A futile effort was made for Eddie Bierschwale to take over the #43 car and bring it to the finish, but he lasted only a couple laps.
• The race went 109 laps before the first caution, and was on-pace for a record average speed until a crash on lap 129 (of 160) slowed the pace. The average speed of 170.457 mph stood as the fastest restrictor plate at Daytona race until 1998.