5:30 p.m.
Justin Haley has won the rain-shortened Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, his first at NASCAR’s top level.
Haley took the lead under warning – Kurt Busch surrendered the top spot when he pitted for new tires and was declared the winner following heavy rain followed two lightning delays. There were 33 laps remaining when the 160-lap race has been halted.
Haley was 27th when chief Austin Dillon triggered a 17-car crash that took out nearly half the field and the majority of the best contenders. He passed a number of wrecked cars and then a few more that left pit stops.
The 20-year-old Haley won’t lock at a place in the playoffs, though. He is a fulltime driver at the second-tier Xfinity Series and was making his third Cup Series beginning – all for newcomer Spire Motorsports. The group’s No. 77 Chevrolet could secure a postseason bid, but only if it winds up in the top 30 in points.
Nonetheless, it was a fitting ending for the closing July race at NASCAR’s most famous track.
The event, which was postponed a day because of rain, has been plagued by inclement weather and filled with unpredictable winners in the past couple of decades. It is moving to late August at 2020 – the regular-season finale – included in NASCAR’s significant schedule shake-up.
William Byron finished second, followed by seven-time Cup winner Jimmie Johnson and Ty Dillon. Manufacturer Chevrolet won for the second consecutive week and took the top four places.
Ryan Newman was fifth in a Ford.
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4:30 p.m.
Drivers Bubba Wallace and Daniel Hemric entertained lovers during two lightning flaws by throwing a soccer across the trail and in the stands.
Wallace and Hemric every had a couple of throws and got booed a little.
However, it certainly gave fans a reason to stay around for at least an hour with no racing.
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3:18 p.m.
Lighting has stopped the NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway with Justin Haley in the lead.
The 20-year-old Haley is a part time motorist for newcomer Spire Motorsports. He finished second in Friday night’s second-tier Xfinity Series race while forcing for Kaulig Racing. This is his third Cup Series start.
Kurt Busch was leading the 400-mile race following a 17-car mess. However, Busch ducked onto pit road for fuel under caution. That left Haley front, and as soon as the red flag was brought out because of a nearby lightning strike, it left Busch in 18th. As cars were parked and covered on pit road.
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3 p.m.
With dark clouds looming and also the close of the race in sight, pioneer Austin Dillon wrecked nearly half the field at Daytona International Speedway.
« The Big One » happened on Lap 119 in Turn 1 and involved 17 cars – most of them at the front of the area.
Clint Bowyer was pushing Dillon into front on the exterior and made a tough move left to attempt to pass the pioneer. Dillon turned left in No. 3 Chevrolet, tagged Bowyer and then began spinning and taking out competitors.
« I guess he did not want me to pass him, » Bowyer said.
All four Joe Gibbs Racing cars – Deny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr. and defending race winner Erik Jones – were involved. So were Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott.
« I was being aggressive and trying to maintain the lead, » Dillon said. » That is exactly what you get. »
Kurt Busch was able to get through the melee unscathed.
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