High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1996 Daytona 500 was run on February 18 on the Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won his first Daytona 500 pole, leading many to believe he would finally win the race. Ernie Irvan returned to full-time competition alongside Earnhardt (both drivers won their respective Gatorade 125-mile qualifying races). Reigning Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon was eliminated on Lap 8 after getting a light tap from Jeremy Mayfield. Four other cars were involved in a chain reaction. On Lap 29, Earnhardt`s ignition failed, triggering a wreck for Ernie Irvan. Wally Dallenbach, Jr., who couldn`t see Earnhardt, tagged Irvan and sent him into the wall.