The 1979 Daytona 500 will always known for its final lap battle and the later drama between three-time Cup champion Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers. The final laps of the Crown, Jewel race featured an intense last-lap battle between Donnie Alison and Yarborough. Both drivers fought for the win with over 20 seconds gap to the cars fighting for P3.
But things took a wrong turn during the fight, and the duo crashed into each other. Richard Petty, who was racing for P3 until then, held Michale Waltrip behind him and went on to win. Allison and Yarborough were furious and had heated conversations in the infield after they exited their cars. This immediately escalated into a fight.