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Big Heart, 'Tiny' Miracle

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

Through 49 editions of the Daytona 500, there is no story more uplifting than DeWayne "Tiny" Lund's win in 1963.

Lund, an imposing 270 pounds, had never won a race in what was then NASCAR's Grand National series. The Iowa native was in Daytona shopping for a ride when Marvin Panch, a friend who drove for powerful Wood Brothers Racing, crashed spectacularly while testing a sports car. Lund helped pull Panch from the fiery wreckage.

As a way of showing their gratitude, Panch and team co-owner Glen Wood asked Lund to drive their No. 21 Ford in the 500. Clever engineering and strategy by the Wood brothers allowed Lund to complete the race with one fewer pit stop than his competition, and Lund, though he ran out of fuel in the final corner, took the checkered flag.

Months later, Lund and four other drivers who helped rescue Panch were awarded the Carnegie Medal of Honor. Lund was killed in a crash at Talladega in 1975.

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