Exactly 30 days from now, the green flag waves at the 2013 Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup season is on. See what we did here? Read on for more history on the number 30 in stock car racing.

While Dave Marcis is usually associated with the number 71, he began his NASCAR Grand National career running the number 30, as on his 1970 Dodge Charger Daytona above. A shrewd money racer famed for wringing the most from his privateer equipment, Marcis was often called “the last independent.” Marcis started 883 races in 35 years, scoring five wins and collecting $7.5 million in winnings, retiring in 2002 at age 61.

A three-time IROC winner between 1979 and 2001, Marcis is remembered for one other other thing: his shoes. He raced exclusively in black wingtip brogues. Here are a few more drivers who ran the number 30:

Iggy Katona 

Walter Ballard

Michael Waltrip

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