You'll hear much about the history of the Daytona 500 in the coming days as we count down to the 50th anniversary running of "The Great American Race."

If you're a long-time NASCAR fan, you know how the inaugural running of the race in 1959 ended in a photo finish with Lee Petty finally being declared the race winner over Johnny Beauchamp three days later when NASCAR studied the photo of the incredible run to the finish line.

But there are some names from that first race you may not be so familiar with, drivers who were part of that historic 59-car field that christened the mammoth 2.5-mile superspeedway.

They weren't superstars of the sport but pioneers just the same.

Fritz Wilson, Larry Odo, Shorty Rollins, Ken Rush, Larry Frank - journeyman drivers who didn't get rich or famous but strapped into a racecar for the pure love and challenge of the sport.

One of the names in the 1959 rundown may sound familiar - "Tiger" Tom Pistone, who led much of the race and finished eighth. The uncle of this reporter went on to win a couple of Cup races in his career and was probably known more for his antics than his driving skills. Who could forget a guy who bolted an oxygen tank into his car for the 500, afraid he would wind up in Lake Lloyd in a crash. Did I mention Tiger can't swim?

It's amazing to me that more than 50 years later people remember guys like Tiger as well as some of these other pioneers of the sport. And so they should.

As we get ready for the golden aniversary of the Daytona 500, these guys should forever be remembered for the golden memories they gave us all.

(**Shameless plus - "Tiger" Tom Pistone will be Dave Moody's guest on "Sirius Speedway" Friday afternoon, January 11th at 6 p.m. ET)