After Ten Years of Absence, Wood Brothers Return to Victory Lane in Thrilling Fashion
By: Rachel Trimm
The record books were rewritten at the Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. In only his second Spring Cup Series start, rookie Trevor Bayne from Knoxville, Tennessee became the youngest driver in NASCAR history to win the Daytona 500. The 20 year old Bayne eclipsed the record set by four time Sprint Cup Series Champion Jeff Gordon. Gordon won the Great American Race for the first time at age 25 in 1997.
During Daytona Speedweeks, the world saw the emergence of a brand new style of racing at the historic speedway. Two cars lined up nose to tail achieved speeds a full 10 MPH faster than a car making a single run around the 2.5-mile tri-oval track. The newly paved track surface allowed competitors to occupy the entire track surface, often running three-wide down the backstretch taking advantage of the newly found grip. During Speedweeks and also during the Daytona 500, racing looked more like what fans are used to seeing at Daytona’s sister track, Talladega Super Speedway. Going into the race, there was an expectation of chaos and that’s exactly what ensued.
Kurt Busch led the field to the green flag as the pole sitter Dale Earnhardt Jr. dropped to the rear after being relegated to his backup car due to his accident involving the #56 car of Martin Truex Jr. on Wednesday.
On lap 3, NASCAR observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the fallen NASCAR hero, Dale Earnhardt Sr. on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. On lap 4, the silence ended as Kyle Busch’s #18 car went spinning. Busch, who had been drafting with the #15 car of two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip was able to keep his car from hitting any walls or other vehicles, and reported over his radio that Waltrip had not hit him.
“I got loose in the turn.” Busch said over the radio to crew chief Dave Rogers. Busch was able to recover and finished the race 8th.
Hendrick Motorsports had a difficult day at the track. Three of the team's four cars were taken out of contention for the checkered flag by a massive 14 car pile up on lap 29. Michael Waltrip getting into the back of his teammate David Reutiman in #00 car triggered the melee. Reutiman spun sideways and collected several cars as he slid down the banking. Johnson, Martin, and Gordon were all able to return to the track, but each of them finished several laps down.
The lone Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to survive the carnage, Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished the race 24th after being involved in an incident in the closing laps of the race.
The Richard Childress Racing engine shop experienced problems as two or the RCR cars belonging to drivers Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton both blew engines and were unable to finish the race. Kevin Harvick left the track soon after his engine failure and was able to tweet about the race from home having arrived there before the checked flag was waved. It was especially disappointing to team owner Richard Childress as the RCR camp had been on point all through Speedweeks. Jeff Burton had even taken first place in Gatorade Duel Qualifying race just three days prior.
Every Daytona 500 has its surprise, and this year’s model was no exception. On the 2nd attempt at a green, white, checker finish (NASCAR’s version of overtime), 20-year-old Trevor Bayne took the white flag and managed to hold off the likes of NASCAR superstars Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch (who had both been strong cars all day) to claim his first career victory. Through a record setting 74 lead changes amongst 22 different drivers, Bayne held on to win The Great American Race in only his second Sprint Cup Series start. Having just celebrated his 20th birthday one day prior Bayne received the ultimate birthday present finding himself in Victory Lane on NASCAR's biggest stage. Of course he had to get directions on where to park his car first.
Bayne won the race driving in the famous #21 car for the legendary Wood brothers who had picked him up to drive 17 races for them in the Cup Series this season. The Wood Brothers have not visited NASCAR Victory Lane in a decade. Bayne’s shocking Daytona 500 win was also the first win at the iconic track for the team since David Pearson took the checkers in 1976 sporting a paint scheme that looked eerily similar to the one Bayne drove to victory.
“Our first 500, are you kidding me?” said Bayne in Victory Lane amidst the party. “ Wow! This is unbelievable!”
The win isn’t a total surprise Bayne looked strong all week. He earned high praise from drivers like Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon. Gordon and Bayne spent most of their Gatorade Qualifier hooked up nose to tail fighting for the lead on Thursday.
“I’m very happy for him and think it’s great for our sport.” Gordon said when asked about Bayne's remarkable win in the garage area after the race.
Bayne joins the list of NASCAR greats to be known as a Daytona 500 winner. He also becomes just the seventh driver in NASCAR history to win his first race in the iconic event.
“It was too easy.” Bayne said smiling in victory lane. He said he kept waiting for someone to pass him, but that never happened. 2nd place finisher Carl Edwards did make a good run at it, but was unsuccessful.
