1969 Daytona 500 Florida David Pearson before the race 0144-1063

David Pearson in the number 17 Holman-Moody Ford Torino at Daytona, seated in the car in profile with the empty grandstand behind him.

What Is in This Photograph?

A side-on colour view at track level, the car parked rather than running. Pearson is visible through the window opening with his helmet off. The Torino's long fastback roofline runs the length of the frame, the number roundel sits on the door, and the raised rear quarter and low nose of a period stock car are both clear. Behind the car the grandstand is empty and the infield grass is bare, which places this before the crowd arrived rather than during the event.

Who Was David Pearson?

One of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history and Holman-Moody's lead man in this period. Driving the number 17 Ford for the team he took eleven wins and the championship in 1969, his third title and the team's second in consecutive years (The Daily Downforce, Old Cars Weekly). At the 1969 Daytona 500 itself he started third and finished sixth, two laps down (1969 Daytona 500).

Why Did Ford Build the Torino This Way?

To go faster on superspeedways. The fastback roof and extended nose existed for aerodynamics rather than showroom appeal, and Ford homologated road versions specifically so the shape could be raced. Daytona is where that investment either paid off or did not.

Who Is This Print For?

This NASCAR print suits stock car racing collectors, Torino owners, Pearson and Holman-Moody followers, dealership showrooms and garage interiors. A driver in the car before the race carries more of the period's atmosphere than an action shot, and the empty grandstand dates it precisely. Choose framed print, stretched canvas, ChromaLuxe metal or Giclée.

Photograph Details

• Driver: David Pearson
• Vehicle: Ford Torino, Holman-Moody, race number 17
• Event: Daytona, 1969
• Season context: Eleven wins and the 1969 championship
• Setting: Track level before the race, grandstand empty
• Archive reference: 0144-1063

This archival photograph is made available through Fordimages.com, the official Ford archive imagery licensee operated by Richard Weedn LLC. Each image is digitally restored before printing and handcrafted to order.

Available as:

• Framed Print — museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, hanging hardware included
• Stretched Canvas — hand-stretched over 1.25-inch pine bars, heavy cotton poly matte finish
• ChromaLuxe Metal Print — image infused directly onto sheets of alloy metal for maximum vibrancy and durability
• Giclée Art Print — 260gsm satin finish paper, finest archival inks, white border

Made in the USA or Europe depending on your location.

About the Artwork

Artwork in this collection comes from the Ford Motor Company Archives, The Henry Ford Museum, the Carroll Shelby Archives, and the collections of acclaimed photographers and painters from around the world. Reproduction rights are reserved by the respective copyright owners.

Our framed prints feature a black, hand-stained solid wood frame with a white mat, museum-quality paper, archival inks, Acrylite glazing, and hanging hardware. The frame features a slim 0.8-inch face and projects 1.3 inches from the wall, creating a clean, contemporary shadow-box effect. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our stretched canvas prints are produced on acid-free, pH-neutral, and fade-resistant canvas. Each canvas is hand-glued to solid wood stretcher bars and stretched over 1.25-inch-thick pine bars. Mounting brackets are included. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

Our Giclée prints are produced using premium 200gsm semi-gloss paper and high-quality archival inks. Each print includes a white border around the perimeter.

For the 40 x 60 size, we use 250gsm museum-quality archival paper with an off-white, uncoated finish.

The listed size refers to the overall paper dimensions. The image is printed proportionally within the selected paper size. Made in the USA or Europe, depending on your location.

ChromaLuxe prints use a state-of-the-art coating process that infuses the image directly onto sheets of alloy metal. The result is photography with an exceptional combination of vibrancy, clarity, and durability.

Each print arrives ready to hang. An alloy subframe on the back allows the artwork to float away from the wall for a sleek, modern appearance. This is the finest-quality print we offer. Made in the USA.

All images are digitally restored before printing. Production location varies by product and destination. Shipping is calculated at checkout.