From Iowa Cornfields to Racing Glory
The Making of a Legend
Born DeWayne Louis Lund in Harlan, Iowa, in 1929, the man destined to become "Tiny" was anything but small. Standing 6'5" and weighing nearly 270 pounds, Lund cut an imposing figure that contrasted beautifully with his jovial, playful spirit.
His love affair with speed began early—racing motorcycles and midget cars across Midwestern dirt tracks. But before he could chase his racing dreams full-time, duty called. Lund served his country with honor in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, a period that shaped his character and delayed his NASCAR entry until 1955.
1
1929
Born in Harlan, Iowa
2
Early 1950s
Korean War service in U.S. Air Force
3
1955
Begins NASCAR career
4
1963
Daytona 500 victory
Upon returning from military service, Lund moved South, trading Iowa's dirt ovals for NASCAR's asphalt battlegrounds. For years, he embodied the journeyman racer—talented and determined, yet lacking the financial backing needed to dominate. He scraped by on meager winnings, sometimes sleeping in garages and piloting second-rate equipment. But he was a racer's racer, earning respect through pure grit and skill.
The Miracle at Daytona
February 1963 brought a moment that would forever change Tiny Lund's life and secure his place in motorsports history. What began as an ordinary day at Daytona International Speedway became an extraordinary tale of heroism, gratitude, and triumph.
The Crash
Ten days before the Daytona 500, driver Marvin Panch was testing a Maserati sports car when it suddenly veered into the wall and erupted in flames, trapping Panch inside the burning wreckage.
The Rescue
Without a moment's hesitation, Lund sprinted toward the inferno. Using his massive 270-pound frame, he pulled Panch from the flames, saving his friend's life while risking his own.
The Honor
For his extraordinary bravery, Lund received the prestigious Carnegie Medal for Heroism—recognition of courage that places ordinary citizens in harm's way to save others.
The Gift
From his hospital bed, a grateful Panch insisted that Lund take his place driving the Wood Brothers' legendary No. 21 Ford in the upcoming Daytona 500.
Victory Against All Odds
What happened next became the stuff of racing legend. On February 24, 1963, Tiny Lund piloted the Wood Brothers Ford to victory in the Daytona 500—NASCAR's most prestigious race. In a remarkable display of strategy and endurance, he won the 500-mile contest on a single set of tires, outlasting the competition through skill, patience, and determination.
It was Lund's first and only premier series victory on NASCAR's biggest stage, but what a victory it was. The storybook ending—hero saves driver, driver gives hero his ride, hero wins the biggest race—captured America's imagination and cemented Tiny Lund's status as one of racing's most beloved figures.
The Man Behind the Wheel
The "Tiny" Persona
The nickname "Tiny" was pure irony—a playful jab at his towering 6'5", 270-pound frame. But the name captured something essential about Lund's character: his humility and sense of humor. Despite his imposing physical presence, he was known for his gentle nature, quick wit, and infectious laugh that could fill a garage bay.
Friends and competitors alike remembered him as a man who never took himself too seriously, who could joke about his size while commanding respect through his actions. He was a gentle giant in the truest sense.
Growing Up in Harlan
Behind every great racer stands a supportive family, and Tiny was no exception. His wife Wanda stood by his side through the lean journeyman years and celebrated his triumphs. Together they raised their son Christopher, creating a home filled with love and laughter.
While racing consumed much of his time and energy, Lund made sure his family knew they came first. The fish camp on Lake Moultrie became not just a business venture, but a place where the Lund family built memories together—fishing, hosting friends, and enjoying the slower pace of life between races.
Family Life
Behind every great racer stands a supportive family, and Tiny was no exception. His wife Wanda stood by his side through the lean journeyman years and celebrated his triumphs. Together they raised their son Christopher, creating a home filled with love and laughter.
While racing consumed much of his time and energy, Lund made sure his family knew they came first. The fish camp on Lake Moultrie became not just a business venture, but a place where the Lund family built memories together—fishing, hosting friends, and enjoying the slower pace of life between races.
Military Service: Lund's time in the United States Air Force during the Korean War instilled the discipline and courage that would define his life. The same bravery he showed in service would later manifest in his fearless rescue of Marvin Panch and his aggressive yet calculated driving style on the track.
A Champion's Journey: The Racing Career
5
Cup Series Wins
Premier series victories including the legendary 1963 Daytona 500
41
Grand American Wins
Dominating the "pony car" division
4
Championships
3x Grand American, 1x Grand National East
The Journeyman Years
The path to glory wasn't smooth for Tiny Lund. Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, he epitomized the struggling independent racer. He drove for various owners, piloted equipment that was often outdated or underfunded, and scraped together a living from modest prize money. There were nights spent sleeping in the garage, meals skipped to save money for parts, and races run on hope and determination more than competitive machinery.
But these hardscrabble years forged Lund's character and honed his driving skills. He learned to extract maximum performance from minimal equipment, to read a race and conserve his car, to race smart when he couldn't race fast. These lessons would prove invaluable when opportunity finally knocked at Daytona in 1963.
Grand American Dominance
While the 1963 Daytona 500 made Lund a household name, it was in the NASCAR Grand American Series where he truly proved his mastery. This division, featuring "pony cars" like Camaros, Mustangs, and Cougars, became Lund's kingdom from 1968 to 1971.
With more competitive equipment, Lund was unstoppable. He captured three championships (1968, 1970, 1971) and racked up an astounding 41 victories. He earned the nickname "King of the Grand American," proving that given equal machinery, few could match his skill, racecraft, and determination. These weren't just wins—they were statements of dominance.
Life at the Lake: Cross, South Carolina
Racing might have been Tiny Lund's passion, but the economics of 1960s NASCAR meant even champions needed alternative income. Lund found his perfect solution on the shores of Lake Moultrie in Cross, South Carolina, where he established "Tiny Lund's Fish Camp"—a venture that would become legendary in its own right.
The Fish Camp
More than just a business, Tiny Lund's Fish Camp became a gathering place where racing legends, local fishermen, and fans mingled freely. The camp offered boat rentals, fishing guides, and Southern hospitality—all overseen by the gentle giant himself when he wasn't on the circuit.
The Legend of the 55-Pound Bass
Tiny Lund wasn't just a casual angler—he was a serious sportsman. In the famed Santee-Cooper waters of Lake Moultrie, Lund landed a monster 55-pound striped bass, a catch that stood as a record for decades and became part of South Carolina fishing lore.
So proud was Lund of this achievement that he adopted the number 55 for his race cars. It was the perfect symbol—combining his love of fishing with his racing career, the number 55 appeared on his cars as a badge of honor, representing his life beyond the track and his connection to the community of Cross, South Carolina.
The fish camp and the #55 became inseparable from Tiny Lund's identity. They represented his authenticity—a man who could win NASCAR's biggest race one week and guide fishing trips the next, always with the same enthusiasm and genuine warmth.
The #55: A Champion's Garage
The Iconic Liveries
Throughout his career, Tiny Lund piloted cars wearing memorable paint schemes that defined the changing aesthetics of NASCAR. In the early 1960s, he etched his name in history behind the wheel of the Wood Brothers' #21 Ford Galaxie, instantly recognizable by its classic Candy Apple Red and White livery.
Moving into the Grand American era of the late 60s and early 70s, the designs shifted to reflect bolder corporate backing. Lund’s signature #55 and #5 machines—spanning Camaros, Cougars, and Chevelles—became synonymous with the Pepsi-Cola brand. These cars featured a striking Red, White, and Blue tri-color scheme that stood out on the track. Whether promoting his own "Fish Camp" or carrying major sponsorship, each livery told a story, turning his race cars into rolling works of art that captured the spirit of American motorsport's golden age.
The Tribute Project
Wood Brothers Racing has undertaken an ambitious project to preserve Tiny Lund's legacy through a meticulously crafted replica of his most famous race car: the 1963 Daytona 500-winning Ford Galaxie. This tribute effort involved painstaking research into original specifications, paint formulas, and period-correct details to match the car currently sitting in The Henry Ford Museum.
The replica serves not just as a showpiece, but as a living testament to the craftsmanship and engineering of 1960s stock car racing. It allows new generations to see and hear the machine that Lund wheeled to victory, keeping his memory alive for fans who never had the chance to see him race.
Technical Excellence
Lund wasn't just a driver—he was a mechanic and car builder who understood every nut and bolt of his machines, but he didn't work in isolation. His garage in Cross, SC, became a hub of ingenuity, bolstered by the presence of Roger Byers, a brilliant mechanic and engine builder who also called Cross home. Byers became an instrumental figure in Tiny’s life, serving as the technical anchor for the operation. Together in that lakeside shop, they transformed theoretical knowledge into high-speed reality, turning stock vehicles into the championship-winning machines that dominated the short tracks.
Lund wasn't just a driver—he was a mechanic and car builder who understood every nut and bolt of his machines, but he didn't work in isolation. His garage in Cross, SC, became a hub of ingenuity, bolstered by the presence of Roger Byers, a brilliant mechanic and engine builder who also called Cross home. Byers became an instrumental figure in Tiny’s life, serving as the technical anchor for the operation. Together in that lakeside shop, they transformed theoretical knowledge into high-speed reality, turning stock vehicles into the championship-winning machines that dominated the short tracks.
Engine Work
- Custom engine builds
- Performance tuning
- Reliability modifications
Chassis Setup
- Suspension geometry
- Weight distribution
- Handling optimization
Strategy
- Tire management
- Fuel calculations
- Race pace planning
Hall of Fame Honor & Lasting Legacy
Death could not diminish Tiny Lund's impact on motorsports. In the decades since 1975, his legend has only grown, his contributions more deeply appreciated, and his place in racing history more firmly established.
International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Lund's induction recognized his contributions to stock car racing at the highest level. His 1963 Daytona 500 victory and his role in saving Marvin Panch made him a natural selection for this prestigious honor.
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
This induction celebrated Lund's broader impact on American motorsports, including his Grand American championships and his role as an ambassador for the sport during its formative years.
Tributes and Memorials
In Harlan, Iowa, Tiny Lund's hometown, his memory is kept alive through festivals and commemorations. The small Iowa town proudly claims him as a native son who conquered the world of racing while never forgetting his roots.
At various racetracks and venues, grandstands and facilities bear the Tiny Lund name, ensuring that new generations of fans learn about the gentle giant who saved a life, won the Daytona 500, and lived with integrity and courage.
"Tiny Lund represented everything good about racing—courage, humility, skill, and heart. He was a hero in every sense of the word."— Tom Gillispie, motorsports journalist and author best known for co‑authoring NASCAR books, including Then Junior Said to Jeff…: The Greatest NASCAR Stories Ever Told.
Media, Press & Preserved Memories
The story of Tiny Lund continues to captivate motorsports journalists, historians, and fans. His life has been chronicled in numerous articles, documentaries, and retrospectives that ensure his legacy endures.
Feature Stories
Major publications including Autoweek, Yahoo! Autos, and NASCAR.com have published in-depth profiles exploring different facets of Lund's remarkable life and career.
Video Archive
Rare race footage and interviews have been preserved and digitized, including the complete broadcast of the 1963 Daytona 500 and various Grand American race clips.
Fan Memories
Through Facebook groups and online communities, fans who met Tiny at the fish camp or watched him race share their personal stories and photographs.
The Miracle at Daytona Documentary
NASCAR.com has featured the "Miracle at Daytona – The Tiny Lund Story" as part of its historical programming, ensuring that one of racing's greatest human interest stories reaches modern audiences. The production combines archival footage, interviews with those who knew Lund, and expert commentary to paint a complete picture of that fateful February in 1963.
Historical Preservation
Efforts to preserve Tiny Lund's legacy extend beyond digital media. Original race programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, and personal artifacts are being collected and archived by museums and private collectors who understand the importance of preserving racing history.
These materials provide invaluable primary sources for researchers and help maintain an accurate historical record of Lund's achievements. From his journeyman days through his championship seasons to that fateful day at Talladega, every aspect of his career is being documented for posterity.
