5:30 p.m.
Justin Haley has won the rain-shortened Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway, his first in NASCAR’s top level.
Haley took the lead under warning – Kurt Busch surrendered the top spot when he pitted for new tires and was announced the winner after heavy rain followed two lightning delays. There were 33 laps left when the 160-lap race has been halted.
Haley was 27th when chief Austin Dillon triggered a 17-car crash that took out almost half the area and the majority of the top contenders. He passed a number of wrecked cars and then several more that made pit stops.
The 20-year-old Haley won’t lock in a place in the playoffs, though. He is a fulltime driver in the second-tier Xfinity Series and was making his third Cup Series start – for newcomer Spire Motorsports. The group’s No. 77 Chevrolet could secure a postseason bid, but only if it ends up in the top 30 in points.
Nonetheless, it was a fitting end for the final July race in NASCAR’s most famous track.
The event, which was postponed a day because of rain, was plagued with inclement weather and filled with unpredictable winners in recent decades. It’s moving to late August at 2020 – the regular-season finale – as part of NASCAR’s significant schedule shake-up.
William Byron finished second, followed by seven-time Cup champion 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 football throughout the track and in the stands.
Wallace and Hemric each had a few errant throws and even 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 driver 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 pulled because of a nearby lightning strike, it left Busch in 18th. As cars were parked and coated on pit road.
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3 p.m.
With dark clouds looming and also the close of the race in sight, leader 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 – many of them at the front of the area.
Clint Bowyer was pushing Dillon to front on the exterior and made a tough move left to try and pass the pioneer. Dillon turned left No. 3 Chevrolet, tagged Bowyer and then began spinning and carrying out rivals.
“I guess that he didn’t 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 included. So were Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott.
“I was being aggressive and trying to keep the lead,” Dillon said.” That’s exactly what you get.”
Kurt Busch managed to get through this melee unscathed.
Read more: judoworldcupmiami.com
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