20 February: Today in Racing

Today in history has been quite controversial off the track through racing history on this day. Frank Williams, Patrick Head, Adrian Newey and three Imola race officials were charged with culpable homicide for the death of Ayrton Senna in a 1997 Italian trial that would continue a year before all six were cleared of all charges. 

Then in 2001 Max Mosley announced he would stand for a third term as president of the FIA — he was successful then and again in 2005 but did not stand again after that following his controversial nocturnal antics in 2009.

If that ls not enough, Ron Dennis accused the FIA of dictatorial behaviour after the governing body banned refuelling and set-up changes between qualifying and Formula 1 races in 2003. Dennis said the governing body was 'dumbing down’ the sport, but the 2003 F1 season proved the best in years. Kimi Raikkonen took his turn in the news for all the wrong reasons in 2005 following his exploits in a London lap-dancing club, but F1 tycoon Flavio Briatore jumped to the Finn’s defence claiming Kimi was a 'breath of fresh air' in F1.  

On the racetrack, AJ Foyt won the 1972 Daytona 500, while Cale Yarborough beat Benny Parsons by 1.39 seconds in the ‘77 race and then Yarborough took a national audience into victory lane for the first time thanks to an in-car camera in ‘83. Sterling Marlin took his first 500 win on his 279th NASCAR start in ’94  Dale Jarrett won it in 2000, Jeff Gordon in ’05 and Trevor Bayne become the youngest 500 winner 2011.  

In other racing history, Stig Blomqvist and Arne Hertz powered their Saab to victory in the ‘72 Swedish RallyAllan Grice won the '83 Motor Show Australian Touring Car race and Jamie Whincup took that series' 2010 Yas Marina win. Indycar legend Bobby Unser was born this day 1934 and the Captain, Roger Penske in 1937, while Feruccio Lamgorghini passed away in 1993, the same day that top Polish rally driver Marian Bublewicz died in a rally accident. (Photo: Williams Media)