(REUTERS) — Michael Waltrip was declared the winner of the rain-hit Daytona 500, collecting his second victory in three years when storms brought an end to the “Great American Race” after 109 laps Sunday.
The race was the shortest in the 500’s 45-year history. Not since Richard Petty in 1966 had the winner of stock car racing’s grand prize been crowned without completing the 500 miles.
“I never really imagined it would work out and keep raining,” Waltrip told reporters after securing a victory worth $1.41 million.
“It did rain and I’m so thankful we were leading when the rains came. I just feel blessed we were in the right place at the right time.
“I was surprised when they said, ‘That’s it, it’s official.’ I’m not smart enough to explain the significance of this event.
“This is Daytona, and I’m just honored to be champion … again.”
Just as in 2001, it was a bittersweet finish to the race. Waltrip’s first victory that year was tainted by the death of Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in a crash on the last corner of the last lap.
But, again, an Earnhardt figured in the outcome.
As storm clouds gathered and rain threatened to interrupt the race for a second time, Waltrip roared into the lead with the help of teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr.’s hopes of a first 500 victory disappeared earlier when electrical problems forced him into the pits for a new battery, and he finished back in 36th place.
Red Flag
With Earnhardt Jr. down two laps and out of contention but running up front with the leaders, Waltrip slipped into his teammate’s tow, charging to the front on lap 106 when he ran ahead of Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson until showers brought out the red flag.
Waltrip then endured an anxious wait, watching as trucks with jet-engine dryers attached rumbled out of the garage to dry the track.
But an hour later, with dusk falling and another shower dousing the oval, NASCAR officials called off the race, prompting celebrations from Waltrip and his team, including Earnhardt’s widow and team owner Teresa.
“When he (Earnhardt) lost his life, that’s just another chapter in the book of Daytona,” Waltrip said. “It didn’t make me hate Daytona.
“That chapter in my life will never be closed. It’s part of who I am.
“That will never be considered a great race because of what happened but I’m OK with that. I’m at peace with what occurred that day.”
The victory extended a curious run of good fortune for Waltrip at Daytona. The 39-year-old has made 535 career starts but has just three Winston Cup wins, all on Daytona International Speedway’s banked oval, stock car racing’s most famous venue.
“We will fare much better at other tracks this year,” said Waltrip. “But this isn’t a bad place to win until you get the other tracks sorted out.”
TROPICAL DELUGE:
With the threat of rain hanging over the race, the organizers’ worst fears were realized when a tropical deluge fell after just 63 laps, bringing out the first red flag and an hour-long delay.
The storm hit the oval while the race was already running under a yellow caution following a violent crash involving last year’s winner, Ward Burton, and Ken Schrader and Ryan Newman.
Exiting turn four, Burton clipped Schrader, who then bumped Newman, sending his No. 12 Dodge careering down into the infield.
The car became airborne and started disintegrating as it flipped four times across the grass before coming to rest on its roof. Safety crews rushed to the scene and after several minutes Newman crawled from the wreck and was able to walk to a waiting ambulance.
Newman, Schrader and Bobby Labonte, who was also involved in the incident, were all examined at the infield hospital and released.
“I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time and got up into the wall,” Newman said. “Disney World doesn’t have one of those rides, I can tell you that.”
The race began amid tight security after a rousing patriotic salute to the United States armed forces.
In sharp contrast to the anti-war demonstrations Saturday across the United States, there was no lack of support for the American war effort from the 200,000-plus NASCAR fans who greeted the show of military might with big cheers.
The pre-race show touched all the patriotic chords from the unfurling of a gigantic U.S. flag to the now traditional flyover by F-16 fighter jets.
Security personnel using mirrors inspected under every car entering the infield of the sprawling tri-oval while bomb-sniffing dogs inspected motor homes.