The Latest: Cup Series race at Daytona begins a day late

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 caution – 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 remaining when the 160-lap race has been halted.

Haley was 27th when leader Austin Dillon triggered a 17-car crash which took out almost half the field and the majority of the best contenders. He passed a range of wrecked cars and then a few more that left pit stops.

The 20-year-old Haley won’t lock in a place in the playoffs, however. He’s 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 can secure a postseason bid, but only as long as it ends up in the top 30 in points.

Nonetheless, it was a fitting end for the final July race at 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 is moving to late August in 2020 – the regular-season finale – as part of NASCAR’s major 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 spots.

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 each had a couple of throws and even got booed a bit.

But it certainly gave fans a reason to stay around for at least an hour without any racing.

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3:18 p.m.

Lighting has halted the NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway with Justin Haley at 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 driving for Kaulig Racing. This is his third Cup Series start.

Kurt Busch was leading the 400-mile race after a 17-car mess. But Busch ducked onto pit road for fuel under warning. That left Haley front, and as soon as the red flag was pulled due to 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 the end of the race in sight, pioneer Austin Dillon wrecked almost half the field at Daytona International Speedway.

“The Big One” happened on Lap 119 in Turn 1 and included 17 cars – most of these at the front of the area.

Clint Bowyer was pushing Dillon to the front on the outside and made a hard move left to attempt and pass the pioneer. Dillon turned left in No. 3 Chevrolet, tagged Bowyer and then started spinning and taking out competitors.

“I guess that he did not want me to pass him,” Bowyer said.

All four Joe Gibbs Racing automobiles – 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 keep the guide,” Dillon said.” That is what you get.”

Kurt Busch was able to make it through this melee unscathed.