By Keith Waltz The 21st annual Daytona 500, run on Feb. 18, 1979, at Daytona International Speedway, launched a multi-year journey that saw NASCAR stock car racing transition from a regional phenomenon into a mainstream American sport. With CBS televising the 500- mile race flag-to-flag for the first time, auto racing got its first “water-cooler moment” as viewers gathered at work the next day to talk about the race's dramatic final lap – and the fight that followed. Donnie Allison led the way as the white flag waved with Cale Yarborough drafting closely behind. Going down the back straightway, Yarborough attempted to…

By Jared Turner I'm Just Sayin' ... ▸ It's hard to believe this Speedweeks marks the 15- year anniversary of the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. One can only imagine how different the sport might be today if The Intimidator was still around. It's safe to assume he probably wouldn't have been too keen on the Chase format, a onerace, winner-take-all championship race and the concept of “freezing” the field, among other changes introduced since his death. Then again, Big E was always unpredictable, so it's hard to say exactly what he would…