Daytona 500 trophy named for Harley J. Earl, General Motors automobile designer, who died on this date in 1969
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Harley J. Earl, an American automobile designer (b. 1893), died on this date: April 10, 1969. Why is this worth noting? Because a replica of the trophy is given to the winning driver of the annual running of the Great American Race: The Daytona 500. That's why!