​Haley Shocks World, Wins at Daytona
Start writing a post
Sports

​Haley Shocks World, Wins at Daytona

Justin Haley won a rain shortened Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Sunday afternoon.

15
​Haley Shocks World, Wins at Daytona

For the second consecutive week, there was rain in the area for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race, this time in Daytona Beach, Florida. The final running of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on the Fourth of July weekend was originally scheduled for Saturday evening, but Mother Nature again had other plans. The green flag would finally be dropped for the race at 1:04 P.M. on Sunday afternoon.

With qualifying on Thursday evening being canceled due to rain, the starting lineup would be set based on Owner's Points from the first 17 races of the season. Joey Logano of Team Penske would lead the field to the green as he started from the Busch Light Pole Position, and would lead for a grand total of 40 laps including a victory in Stage One.

Austin Dillon took control of the pack on lap 58 and paced the field for a race-high 46 laps including earning his second stage win of the season at the end of Stage Two.

Stage three would be the setting for "The Big One" that has become a regularity on the Super Speedway tracks. Clint Bowyer and his number 14 Stewart Haas Racing Ford would utilize the draft to get a run on Dillon. With inclement weather again in the area in Daytona Beach and Dillon's current points situation, he made a risky block on Bowyer in hopes to keep the lead and the two would make contact which triggered a pileup of 18 out of the 40 total cars in the field on lap 127. The crash would result in a red flag due to the carnage of all of the torn-up cars on the racing surface.

Unfortunately for the fans, the race would never go back green. Due to NASCAR's policy on lightning, each time there is a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the track there must be a 30-minute delay. During the lightning delays, a storm developed over the Atlantic Ocean and drenched Daytona International Speedway.

Who was leading the field during this delay? Justin Haley. Haley is an Xfinity Series regular for Kaulig Racing, who was making just his third career Cup Series start of Spire Motorsports. At just 20 years old, Haley is the third-youngest winner in the history of the highest level of NASCAR racing.

This was the second consecutive week with first time winners (Alex Bowman and Justin Haley) in the Cup Series for the first time since 2007 with Casey Mears and Martin Truex Jr.

Finishing in second behind Haley was William Byron, with Jimmie Johnson, Ty Dillon, and Ryan Newman rounding out the top five. Some other notable finishers are Kyle Busch in 14th, Truex Jr. in 22nd, Logano in 25th, Kevin Harvick in 29th, Dillon in 33rd, Chase Elliott in 35th, Ryan Blaney 36th, and Brad Keselowski in 39th.

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series now heads to the Blue Grass State to Kentucky Speedway for the running of the Quaker State 400 on Saturday, July 13th at 7:30 P.M. Tune in to NBCSN to watch live.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

94219
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments